Hi, The 275GTB was due to go for its MOT today, but the boys didn't take it across the road to the test centre as it was raining and the road was wet! Lets hope for sunshine tomorrow!!!!! Only a few tiny detailing jobs to complete, then a road test and another final inspection and check over - finally getting there! cheers Mark Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Soooooo Mark,will you be posting a youtube clip of the first "proper" drive of your beasty????? PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wonderful! The satisfaction after such a long time must be immense. Can't wait for my own project to be completed after 4 1/2 years. Onno
Staggeringly pretty car but I'm almost sad it's nearly over. I loved getting the emails from Fchat with news from this thread.
Good Morning, thanks for all the kind comments and support, I am very pleased everyone has enjoyed the thread so far. Its not over yet! On the way to the MOT centre the brakes started to bind, it turns out there is a problem with the brake servo. Even thought it was sent away to a brake specialist for a complete overhaul, the problem started on its first drive out the door! We are rebuilding it in house and hopefully it will be done in a few day. cheers Mark
bonjour très belle restauration que tu nous a présente vraiment magnifique peut être qu'un jours je ferais la même chose sur ma 400 bien amicalement Christopher PS il y avait un beau rassemblement de 275 ici au pays basque a cote de Bayonne (France)
Hi Mark, Congratulations on posting a fantastic thread which I have just found while recovering from an operation and spent most of three days reading. Other people in your position might take no interest once they have consigned the car to the restorer. I have loved seeing the lady with all her clothes off! It is not often we get to see how one of these beautiful cars was constructed. The obvious question is: if you had known in advance how badly damaged the body was, would you have requested an all new body made from the original bucks, despite the detractors, or is that not in the spirit of your restoration? Can you settle an argument please? I maintain that the 275 chassis was basically the same as that designed by Gilberto Colombo for the very first Ferrari right up to the 412i four seater and the last Daytona - albeit with different wheelbases and the major change from leaf springing to all round coils and independent rear suspension. Without access to engineering drawings I have no way of verifying that but it would help if you could ask someone at Joe Macari's to run a tape measure over the chassis and let us know the width over the side rails. There must be a book that details all the changes to the chassis and engine over the years (not just the design number) but I have only picked up the odd snippet from various sources. Thanks, George
There needs to be a bit of free play at the actuating rod. Otherwise when things heat up and expand the brakes self-actuate. Hope this helps.
Amazing car and restoration. Can't wait to see it on road! Freshly restored cars always have these kind of small problems what needs to be fixed. Mark, do not worry everything will be okay after few or three hundred driven miles when all the baby faults are repaired. After a while you discover that your car is running like clockwork. Regards Martin
Hi We took the car for a short test run today, during a good dry spell of weather. After a less than half a mile the brakes started binding and then locked on as we slowed the car down. This is all after fitting a new master cylinder earlier in the week, (we also checked that there was adequate play in the actuator as Ed suggested - there was and Pete was aware of this situation). We kept the engine running and disconnected the brake pedal from the actuator rod - brakes stayed firmly on - but that eliminated that part of the system - we reconnected the pedal. Next we disconnected the servo to manifold hose pipe, to effectively knock out the function of the servo - instantly the brakes released. So we were able to drive back to the garage, albeit without servo assisted braked, just a needed a powerful leg. Now we at least know the problem is within the servo. Here is a very cool piece of improvisation - I unscrewed the black plastic knob off the passenger seat runner adjustment handle - it fitted perfectly into the servo hose, to block the airflow and allow the engine to run smoothly for our short trip back - at least we had a good laugh about that, given all we had in our pocket was one screw driver! We did not have time to work on the servo problem - but we think the problem may be to do with the internal spring - we think the vacuum suction created is stronger than the spring, hence why i gradually brings the brakes on? Does anyone have any other suggestions, experience or thoughts on this? Other small problems, but very easy to fix: - Small adjustment to the clutch needed - two minute job. - Need to re-centeralise the rear brake callipers with shims, as there is a tiny squeak where the brake pad retaining clip is rubbing the outer edge of the disk - only became apparent after the brakes were bedded in and move slightly off centre - easy fix. Other than that OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!! The engine was so sweet, powerful and smooth. The gearbox was perfect, changes were easy and slick. Everything else work beautifully, all the electrics, gauges perfect. The car was solid on the road, no rattles or squeaks (other than the rear brakes as mentioned above. It was sublime! Some photos and a small video to follow as soon as we have the brakes sorted and can exercise the V12 properly. cheers Mark
Thanks Martin, absolutely agree - we are getting there, hopefully not much left to do now. I have a new target now and something to look forward - given the 50th anniversary of the 275 starts next year 2014, only a few months away! I want to celebrate by taking the car to as many events and 275 runs as possible - in the UK and all over Europe! cheers Mark