RS Williams Ltd – Aston Martin Heritage Specialist

Sir Stirling Moss Visits R.S. Williams Ltd

Fergus — Tue, 14 May 2013 11:51:38 +0000

Sir Stirling Moss in DBR1/1

Brett & Sir Stirling discuss the car

Sir Stirling Moss, iconic 1950′s motor racing legend needs little introduction. Arguably the greatest all-round racing driver of all time and a true icon of the motor racing world, known during his career as ‘Mr Motor Racing’, he became a professional driver in 1948, at the age of 18, racing a Cooper 500.

Aston Martin have enjoyed much success with Moss at the wheel, including successes at Le Mans in the DB3S and wins at the 1000 km Nürburgring in 1958 and 1959 in the beautiful and evocative DBR1. Here you see him reunited with the car in which he took that 1959 victory. Fast forward to 2013 and we see Aston Martin celebrating their centenary anniversary with many events to mark 100 years since conception. One such event is a parade of 100 Aston Martins preceding the Nürburgring 24 Hour Race. Sir Stirling will be driving DBR1/1 amongst the other cars on display amongst them some of the most iconic cars in Aston Martin’s history.

Stirling’s 2011 Aston Martin Cygnet

Sir Stirling visited us for a ‘fitting’ in the car to ensure it was adjusted to his specification for driving in the parade. Pictured here with Brett who attends to the needs of race cars we prepare, he was in good spirits and arrived in his 2011 Aston Martin Cygnet accompanied by his wife, Lady Susie Moss.

StirlingMoss.com

AM Centenary Events

Engines Galore!!

Stuart Channon — Tue, 14 May 2013 11:38:56 +0000

Following on from our news piece:-

http://www.rswilliams.co.uk/aston-martin-general-news/workshop-view-engines/

Here is a selection of engines currently receiving attention. First off is this wonderful DB6 that is undergoing an engine and engine bay refurbishment.

Aston Martin DB6 engine

Next we have a Virage undergoing a full service:-

Aston Martin Virage engine

Finally, in our machine shop you can see a DB6 cylinder head receiving work:-

Aston Martin DB6 Cylinder Head

Now compare this to a brand new DB4GT cylinder head:-

Aston Martin DB4GT Cylinder Head

Workshop View – Engines

Fergus — Fri, 10 May 2013 12:54:42 +0000

Spring is here and so is a rush on engine orders. Pictured in our workshop today are these four very different engines awaiting fitment to their respective cars. Firstly we have 4.7 litre Vantage specification engine built for its owner’s DB5. This conversion provides a dramatic improvement over the standard engine transforming the DB model’s performance. We also have a completely standard early V8 engine heading for a car which is having a light restoration. Here too is a 7 litre V8 in automatic specification with its monstrous torque about to fill its owner’s face with a big grin. Lastly is our forthcoming new capacity V8 engine for owners looking for a very affordable generous portion of power and torque increase for their Aston Martin V8 and V8 Vantage. This engine has been under development on our in-house dynamometer engine test bed. Details of this exciting new option will be coming soon.

Not our usual selection

Stuart Channon — Fri, 10 May 2013 11:55:05 +0000

Currently being stored for a customer is this rather lovely V12 Vantage facing a DB6.

Aston Martin V12 Vantage

View from a special Austin 12 Calormeter

Austin 12 Calormeter

Aston Martin Bonhams Auction 18th May

Fergus — Sat, 04 May 2013 15:20:59 +0000

Aston Martin DB4GT Bertone Jet

It is fast approaching one of the highlights of the auction calendar, this year’s Aston Martin and related automobilia sale hosted by Bonhams on the 18th May.

Who could have predicted that one hundred years ago this year, Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford’s creation, Aston Martin would still be going strong.

An amazing fact is that around 85% of the cars ever built by Aston Martin are still running, something here at R.S.Williams we are proud to be part of.

The Bonhams online catalogue can be found here:-

http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20927/61094/

If you are considering purchasing or investing at the sale, R.S.Williams will have representatives available to offer advice. Please contact us for further information.

Testimonial – DB2/4

Fergus — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:48:56 +0000

Full Flight at Magny Cours

We always enjoy receiving testimonials from our valued customers and this one is no exception. Having had our client’s 1957 DB2/4 MKII in for some pre-rally remedial work and preparation which in our opinion transformed the car into a very pleasant driver, we sent it on its way for the big trip. Here’s what we gratefully received in return; Thank you Anthony!

Dear Neil & Richard,

I would be grateful if you would pass on my appreciation to everyone that recently worked on ‘ULN 10′.

Trying to assess what might go wrong with a car that has barely run in thirty five years is difficult at the best of times, but readying it for 1,500 miles of spirited driving through French countryside, plus five circuit races and fifteen special stages is another challenge altogether.

Well, just to let you know that the car ran beautifully and was much admired by everyone. The suspension handled the country roads with aplomb, the steering was the best I have experienced on any of the Feltham cars I have owned, and the brakes were as firm at the end of the week as at the beginning. I kept it below 3,700 rpm and there were no displays of temperament nor the need for any oil or water. Other than changing a float needle valve (fortunately in pre-scrutineering before we started) and nipping up a slightly weeping fuel banjo on day three (the French country roads can be rough) it was an amazing ‘coming out’ for a car that has seen so little use.

Attached is a photograph of the car in full flight at Magny Cours.

With thanks and regards,

Anthony

Restoration – DB4GT/105/R

Fergus — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 11:28:28 +0000

Here we have part-way through a meticulous restoration a very special Aston Martin. The DB4GT was a shorter, lighter and more powerful version of the DB4 and just 75 were built. This is number 105 and it is undergoing a full restoration by ourselves with bodywork by Spray Tec Restorations. The car has some race history having competed at Le Mans Classic in 2006 and a number of other events over the years. The car is now being returned to road car specification and has received a colour change to Silver Birch. We are just about to begin rebuilding the car now it has returned from body restoration.

Stunning arrivals this week

Fergus — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:07:36 +0000

At RSW we are privileged to see on a daily basis, some of the most beautiful and rare cars on the planet. This week was no exception with the wonderful Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato that arrived below.

Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato

Another arrival is arguably the most successful and famous competitive Aston Martin ever, the DBR1. This example, DBR1/1 is being race prepared for an outing in Germany.

Aston Martin DBR1/1

The final arrival to rival the DBR1 is this stunning DBR2/1 which competed in the 1957 24 Hour Le Mans race.

Aston Martin DBR2/1

Lower Wishbone Overhaul

Fergus — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 11:04:25 +0000

Wishbone showing removed bent section and new sections

One of the challenges facing a classic car specialist is continuing to offer replacement and repair of parts which are becoming increasingly hard to find. Fulfilling this requirement is a speciality service we relish providing. The front suspension lower wishbones for DB4, DB5, DB6, DBS, DBSV8 and V8 have long since been obsolete from Aston Martin and supplies of good second-hand items has pretty much dried up. If a vehicle is involved in an accident, wishbone damage is usually limited to the steel brake-reactor section which is silver soldered into the forged steel main section.

Repaired wishbone with new sections

With repair the only option these days, we have reproduced in-house this straight section in CNC-machined billet steel and offer an overhaul service to replace this component and recondition your car’s damaged wishbone. Our methods are absolutely as per AML original specification and carried out by our highly skilled and qualified engineers.

This service is suitable for the following part numbers

20-23-001
20-23-002
80-23-006
80-23-007
95-23-001
95-23-002

For further details on our services please speak to Neil Thompson on 01932 868377 or nthompson[AT]rswilliams.co.uk

DBR1/1 and DBR2/1

Fergus — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 13:43:23 +0000

DBR1/1 and DBR2/1 Together

Just another day at the office as historic legends DBR1/1 and DBR2/1 visit for preparatory works.