Building an F1 Honda BAR003 chassis up - on a budget

Mon Jan 23, 2012 3:38 pm

Hi Showcar,

I'm a reporter for The New York Times. This is such a fascinating thread and I'd love to talk to you more about your project and your history of acquiring F1 parts.

Would you be up for a quick interview? Could you contact me at citizen1000 [at] gmail.com ?

Thanks!
Rich.

Mon Jan 23, 2012 9:05 pm

This is an amazing story!! I have always wanted to do something like this myself, it looks like you have done a great job with the Williams engine cover!! I have been collecting a few F1 parts over the years, I bought a Force India rear wing and plate for a company called F1 partsfinder have you used them they might be able to help you?
After seeing your project i think i want to buy more parts now!!!!!
Please carry on updating us with how it goes! =D>

Sat Jan 28, 2012 11:53 am

Hi Shaw, thank for the comments, much appreciated and Cheerybles have sent you a PM.

Honda gearboxNot sure if it should be in this link but even though I know it doesnt go with the 2001 chassis I purchased a carbon gearbox this week and thought the readers of this thread may be interested in seeing a few images? It is, I believe, a 2004 BAR Honda carbon gearbox and I plan on building up the rear end of my show car from this.
Even sitting on a piece of decking it looks like a work of art but by all means click on the links and ask any questions you may have.
PS. I have no intention of getting it running as cost would mean selling the house!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/73092712@N08/6775245153/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/73092712@N08/6775244835/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/73092712@N08/6775244067/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/73092712@N08/6775243719/in/photostream/
many thanks

Sat Jan 28, 2012 12:23 pm

Hi Showcar,

Well done finding that gearbox casing. I think I spotted it for sale and was sorely tempted myself. I'm glad I didn't bid on it, as it went to such a good home. If it is indeed the box I saw for sale, its a 2006 gearbox. Does it have a parts number with prefix 080-B01-????

If you would find it useful, I can PM you a list of Honda F1 parts numbers and how to interpret them. The 2007 gearbox cost Honda £105k for the casing alone, and I'm sure the '06 casing must have been around that as well. Brilliant find, and quite a bargain!

Looks quite similar to the '07 box: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fan6s/5927 ... 047935753/

Sun Jan 29, 2012 7:50 pm

Hi F1snake,
The box does look very similar to the one you have so you are probably spot on as it does start with 080. As for the Honda part numbers, yes again as that would be useful.
£105K - that is amazing
all the best

Mon Jan 30, 2012 3:24 pm

Was that the 'case that was up on ebay? It looks brand new and unused!

Could you weigh the casing, please? it'd be interesting to see what the case contributes to the total gearbox weight

Mon Jan 30, 2012 10:34 pm

Hi Scarbs
yes it was the case on e-bay. A good wash, clean up and a few coats of tyre shine and it is starting to resemble a new gearbox although inside there are signs of use.
I have just weighed the gearbox and it is coming out at 24lbs which is roughly 12kgs
Hope that helps

Thu Feb 02, 2012 9:54 pm

New York times piece now live and mentions the forum - hope this doesnt break any rules?
http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/02/building-a-formula-one-car-the-ebay-way/

Thu Feb 02, 2012 10:13 pm

Hi Showcar!

Spyker, Midland and Force India pieces:

http://www.fmcgcollectables.com/memorab ... yWork.html

Sat Feb 11, 2012 11:42 am

Hi chassis_1992, thanks for the info. I have used FMCG before and found them spot on.
Thanks to F1snake I am wiser by a mile on quite a few things related to my car so thank you to Bjorn as well.
I have now managed to find a full steering rack and column from a 98 Benetton. Its not the right one for the car but will work perfectly so over the coming weeks I intend to take photos and describe how it goes in (it should fit, fingers crossed). I did see the Renault R29 full steering rack for sale via a memorabilia site but at £1,000 its a bit rich for me.
The work continues!!!

Sat Mar 03, 2012 3:18 pm

Hi, there hasnt been alot of progress over the last few weeks due to work commitments and also attending the second F1 pre-season test in Barcelona however I have now uploaded a few images of the memorabilia I used to own, all of which has been sold to fund the project, it may be of interest to some of you
http://www.flickr.com/photos/73092712@N08/sets/72157629483327963/

Sat Mar 17, 2012 4:28 pm

Hi, I have been quiet but still busy building up all the parts needed to make the first stage of my car, namely making it a rolling chassis.
I am now moving nearer towards completion but still have a long way to go but as an update have loaded a few more images. Firstly the car is now taking shapehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/73092712@N08/6989997913/in/photostream
and here are a few more of the cockpit and bodywork
[urlhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/73092712@N08/6843840264/in/photostream/][/url]
http://www.flickr.com/photos/73092712@N08/6989961641/in/photostream/
This picture shows the gap between Honda and Willimas bodywork, currently filled with a carbon wrap however when an engine goes in I will have to create a heat proof filler, unless I can find the side pods
http://www.flickr.com/photos/73092712@N08/6989964777/in/photostream/
I have also added a Formula Renault steering wheel from a show car, an e-bay purchase that will do when its rolling but will have to be replaced when its up and running (one day!!!)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/73092712@N08/6843847270/in/photostream/

Sat Mar 17, 2012 4:34 pm

Mon Mar 19, 2012 1:57 pm

Excellent photos, kev, nice to see the project moving forwards. Great to see that chassis plate in place too. Keep up the good work, and keep on posting on your advances, large or small, its always interesting to follow.

Wed Mar 21, 2012 8:14 pm

Hi Bjorn, thanks for the kind words, its amazing to get hold of these parts knowing how much time and effort was spent to get them looking this good.
I have now received another box from Mark at RTTF, I would probably be better setting up a direct debit with him!
This month I have update my spareas with
A set of wheel nuts, all left thread to match the axles I have
http://www.flickr.com/photos/73092712@N08/6857587148/in/photostream/
When it gets going I will need to exchange the axles for left and right.
Two front uprights
http://www.flickr.com/photos/73092712@N08/6857587084/in/photostream/
and a couple of exhaust outlets, although they dont fit correctly, the only way to find out is buy and then try for size!!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/73092712@N08/7003700177/in/photostream/
all the best

Building an F1 Honda BAR003 chassis up - on a budget

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