F40 LM Restoration

Thanks Guys but I don't really want to mess around too much here. The issue as I understand it from my own investigation is that you can easily screw up the swirl and I don't really want to get into building a one off engine and experimenting. What we are doing is pretty much a known quantity and much mirrors the proven Michelotto LM with a bit of contemporary turbo, engine management, zicotec etc, all relatively simple. Interesting but I used to own a stock F40 and I found that enough of a handful let alone a car with shorter gearing, 250lbs less weightand 250 HP more!

I don't think I will be craving for more and by that stage I think i will be needing more skill before I need more power!

 

I am sure it could be done and bettered with relatively limitless funding, time, specialist equipment and technicians. I have access to none of the above!

 

Just looking through the photos from last week and one recent one shows the chassis now with a mist coat so as to reveal any minor aesthetic imperfections in the frame which can then be dealt with. You can also now clearly see the refitted rear air jack mounts.

Note in the background that she is in good company in the workshop, in one instance quite humbling.
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Close but no cigar. The more important car is on the lift

 

Whilst you are getting warmer, what about this extraordinary F40 that I have found in my worldwide search for info on engine tolerances and which is currently being rebuilt? Amazingly a Michelotto car, ex Blaton, and they too have struggled with info but have kindly told us what they know. Looks like it has push road suspension, a bit of F50 grafted on.
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A bit more info on the car. Apparently engine only was Michelotto, gearbox Hewland and tub by someone else, so hardly actually an F car, indeed I cannot see the F40 indents on the rear wind uprights nor any Ferrari badges, so not a Ferrari, more of a very exciting expensive track kit car. But pretty amazing.

Apologies for the diversion

 

Thanks for that and you are right, patience is an issue. A 3 month project has become 9!

As to why it was stored in a damp barn I suspect the last owner, whilst loving his cars, was not really a true enthusiast and did not appreciate what the car actually was and that being one of 27 made it special despite its hardly inspiring race history aside from the lap record at Hockenheim. I do know he never drove it hard and it was more of a look at me sort of car rather than how well it drove. Consequently as it was rubbish to drive, he didn't.

Hopefully finally we will get it to go as well as it looks and be set for the next 25 years.

 

No, we have done all this in 5 months not 9! I am hoping only another 4. Hoping but doubting.

Meanwhile, for the first time in a long time excitingly the upper and lower rear clams are now finally in one colour. In case you thought they were destined for Chris Evan's White collection, they are not but at least it is primer and I begin to feel we are coming out of this tearfully expensive hole. These sort of jobs are quite draining in more ways than one as you keep on having to write out cheques and yet the car looks worse and worse and it gets more and more depressing until you finally reach bottom and start to climb out and I think that is almost where we are. Maybe another two weeks to be confident that it is all not a waste of time, effort and money but now beginning to feel more positive.

Work continues on the front clam but still a week or so away from primer as so much detailed work on wheel arches and all the Kevlar ductwork which is quite extensive on the LM. That should be a work of art when finished and be interesting post before and after shots.
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Thanks Henry and yes, had the whip out and I think even Kevin is getting caught up in the enthusiasm surrounding the project and manpower has increased fourfold, albeit it will start to slow down in two weeks or so as we start the final assembly.

No, would love to see the wheels, please post as I am sure they will look great as Kev will have done a proper job. The standard finish is such rubbish so hopefully he filled and prepped them before spraying as my new ones are a disgrace. I don't believe they should affect the ride height, but could not guarantee.

 

I know exactly what you mean and well put. I just felt the car had terrific potential given the right investment and the more I investigated the history, the more interesting it became. I think the turning point was finding it listed as one of the 27 converted LM/GTE's in Michael Sheehans piece on the LM and after having an e mail exchange with him and then to find even Michelotto knew of the car and I was in. Then somehow a lap record or two appeared and then the pics from everyone on the site of the racing history and finally I began to understand that the seller had just probably failed to assemble, research or appreciate the provenance properly. That being said, did I ever anticipate having to invest this much time, effort and money-no way and thankfully I just about had the wherewithal to do so.

Most importantly for me I hope to never have to sell the car until it is box time and so by effectively zero miling everything, I should have something very special that will last me the next 25 without too many surprises and I wonder if there is another one so completely restored, every nut and bolt, ground up?

More pics coming.

 

Aside from the finished fuel tanks and Michelotto parts, finally another finished item in the shape of our Motec gear arrived today as this seems the most reliable and adjustable kit out there (with great knowledgeable local support), well proven in racing F40's and appears very similar to some Michelotto LM's (as attached) when their old digital board gives up. Nice to have a few finished items appearing as the jigsaw pieces start to arrive from different quarters. What we really need next is a reverse gear from Crosthwaites so we can finish the gearbox.

Not quite sure whether to fit the change up lights or not-pondering......
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