DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

I just know I'm going to be sooooo jealous of this car when its done

I purchased the rims from Brad in South Carolina. He'd had them on an RSR rep back in the late seventies. He'd bought them from a guy with a print works in Colombus, Ohio back in '79 and now they're with me (who also owns a print works).
Brad says that back in those days he ran the rears with 3" spacers.
He did change the bearings every year though.

I should also applaud Fed-Ex.
I used them to ship the consignment.
The wheels were picked up Friday afternoon, in Memphis before midnight, landed in the UK and cleared customs by Saturday, out for delivery by early Monday a.m. and with me before Midday Monday.
Impressive.
Brad had made a superb job of the packing too.

Makes you think. While the dollar's weak I think some nice rare parts could find their way back to Europe.

how much was postage? I've just been quotes $350 to post some Bilsteins

James, I don't know the cost yet (I stuck 'em through my business) but I'll tell you once the invoice follows. Don't know if there was any duty yet either.

Here's a few detail shots of the nines for Andy.

glad you received them ok and they lived up to expectations
How are you going to have them refurbished, and who you going to get to do them

Thanks Mike. You know better than anyone that the correct detail parts add so much to projects like this but they are getting pricey aren't they?

I'm going to finish the wheels in the 'RSR' style. Nick can re-finish the wheels and we'll replicate the frosted matt grey of the alloy contrasted with black detailing that the racers used. The rim edge will be polished (as per photo attached).
Nick is going to prepare a sample on a spare wheel to make sure it's an accurate match before we dive in with the 7 & 9's.

The custom ST seats are now made and trimmed





And the roll cage, still to be powder coated of course

Those seats look fantastic: very nice job .

yeah I have to say very nice.. Coming along nice there Paul.

Glad you got the wheels sorted.. and ones you wanted as well..

I don't like it when the shippers do this and send on a shipping bill later as you don't know what your infor. But your right super quick infact stunningly quick..nice..

I have enquired about the history of the car from the DVLA.
They will normally send you details of all previous owners (for a fiver).
It turned out to give a fascinating insight into the life of the car.
It took them nearly three months to reply but a few of the copies of registration documents held some interesting details.

The car is listed as 'black'. However the original registration and the first few changes of ownership show 'blue'.
Therefore I'm confident the car started life as Gemini Blue (as per the underside of the sunroof that was with the car).
The car was first bought by a printing company in Wallingford.
In 1986 the car was repainted red. However the colour change notification unusually lists some extra details.
The car is described as being bodied in a 935 style with wide BBS wheels!
The car changes hands again and is described as black in 1995.
By the time I bought the car in 2006 it was completely stripped and no evidence of that colour remains.
So, it turns out the car will go full circle, round the rainbow and back to blue (albeit Crystal rather than Gemini).

To think it probably looked something like this in the eighties!

That's very close to the style that my Gulf Blue car started off, only not as classey .

I take it now that the ST plan has gone out the window, and you're returning it to this look?

Looking good Paul. I love those seats - was thinking about this after seeing similar ones in one of the mags (was it Derek Bell's car or another racer's)

Those wheels are a well cool

refresh my memory, what are you doing engine-wise - matching numbers, a short stroke special, or a 30K 4 litre ninemeister mentalist?

Cheers

Mark

sladey wrote:4 litre?

Thanks Mark.
No, I don't think a 4 litre. Mind you, you've got to hand it to them, it's an impressive engine capacity. No substitute for cubic inches eh?
I can get myself in enough trouble with just 2.4!
I reckon I can handle 2.5 or 2.7 though.

I don't yet know what I'm doing engine-wise but it won't be a modern (or later) engine with a later 'box.
I want a period correct re-creation and an engine typical of the early cars.
It'll probably be something MFI with a 915.
I've had a few people making useful suggestions (in a few different directions) but I've not really got a handle on it yet.
Plenty of time...

Ferry Man wrote:

sladey wrote:4 litre?

Thanks Mark.
No, I don't think a 4 litre. Mind you, you've got to hand it to them, it's an impressive engine capacity. No substitute for cubic inches eh?
I can get myself in enough trouble with just 2.4!
I reckon I can handle 2.5 or 2.7 though.

I don't yet know what I'm doing engine-wise but it won't be a modern (or later) engine with a later 'box.
I want a period correct re-creation and an engine typical of the early cars.
It'll probably be something MFI with a 915.
I've had a few people making useful suggestions (in a few different directions) but I've not really got a handle on it yet.
Plenty of time...

You should go to 2,3 or 2,5 (short stroke)