Greg,
I somehow have the impression that you are a good mechanic or at least very
knowledgeable. If so, most of the potential issues of significance will be
ones you already know about.
However, since you are in Arizona you might want to contact Todd Cook of
TCE Performance up in Tempe.
I believe that he has formula car prep experience. His web site seems to be
down tonight but here is the url:
www.tceperformanceproducts.com
Phone is (480) 967-7901
The biggest thing will be the price and availability of the damaged
suspension parts. There are several possible sources. I'm not sure who is
the "authorized" US source for older Van Diemen stuff currently but I
suspect somebody on this list will know. Otherwise when the FF1600 forum
comes back up you can ask there. Also Pat Prince in the Midwest can repair
suspension arms, etc. for lots of cars (he has patterns, etc.). "We" can
get you contact info for various vendors as needed.
All the "consumables" like brake stuff, bearings, hoses, gears, cables and
so on are available from lots of vendors. Standard British racecar stuff.
You probably should check to make sure the suspension upright castings are
not broken/repaired since they can be expensive, assuming they are
available, and I'm not sure if "repairing" is viable. Ditto for the
bellhousing/oil tank/rear suspension/gearbox mounting casting that makes up
the whole back of the car. Ditto for the dry sump "pan" casting. Probably
should check the fuel cell condition but other than looking for broken bits
of cell foam in a fuel filter I'm not sure how to check the cell. Note that
the cell in my 85 is original (knock on wood).
Basically, the cars are easy to work on compared to most street cars . . .
once you learn the tricks and where to get the parts. If you have the
Pegasus catalog, it is a great reference source. Plus they are a good parts
source.
Hopefully one of the current owners of 87/88' VD's will respond soon
Dick Rasmussen
CM 85
85 Van Diemen FF
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