All,
Thanks for the encouragement. I have a set of of 23 frame drawings
and have compared the car to those. The wheelbase, track, chassis
height, width, etc.. are all the same as a 23B. There are some
significant detail differences in that the diameter and wall
thickness of many of the chassis tubes are larger. For example, both
of the bottom longitudinal members are different. Where on a 23B
these tubes are 1-1/2 by 3/4 rectangular tubes, this car has heavy
wall 1-1/2" diameter round tubes. It appears that every tube that
has compound loading such as compression, torsion and tension, has
been made larger. Where a 23B has 1-1/4" diameter tubes, this car has
1-1/2" tubes. There are also more tubes around the engine, aft of
the firewall.
I have spoken directly to individuals who had first hand exposure to
the car when it was new. Their recollection was that the frame was
actually designed, using the 23B as a starting point, by Motor Racing
Developments (MRD)/Brabham. They did the design work to make the 23B
frame more robust for the V8. My concern is that while significant
effort was put into beefing up a 23B frame for the V8 and the HD-5
Hewland, standard 23 suspension links were used. I have posted some
more photos that show some details of the frame.
The replica frame built by Curtis was based on my frame and not a 23B
and thus has all the original differences. Both frames look like 23B
frames but with all tubes larger in diameter. The quality of the
Curtis frame, made about ten years ago, is excellent. The tubing
used is Chrome Moly instead of mild steel and the welds (nickel
bronze "welding") are of very high quality. I have not found any
markings on the original frame. It does have three coats of paint. I
have looked at all the common locations where Arch Motors would stamp
the frame, but have not found a single mark anywhere. I may find
something when the frame is media blasted. I have to rely on the
recollection of the original owners on the origin of the frame. The
frame is 40 years old.
Bill Webb, the original owner did indicate that the car was "fast".
He did only drive the car once, back on Aug 21, 1965 and he crashed.
After the car was rebuilt and running with a F2 BMW engine, Gus
Chofre raced the car several times at Riverside, Laguna Seca, and
Sears in SCCA B sports racing His recollection was that the car was
an excellent and stable race car.
All of the suspension components have been crack tested and all were
crack-free. I will have more non-destructive examination, NDE,
performed on critical components.
More to come...
