Specification & Build
Our chassis shares many features with the original. ASM has sympathetically and thoughtfully updated some characteristics with the use of modern fabrication methods, to produce a safe and strong framework.
The design is a perimeter frame style, fabricated from high quality steel. It is then assembled in our chassis jig and welded using a combination of MIG, TIG and Bronze welding. There are now over 60 laser cut brackets and 20 machined parts that go into each assembly. Development of the design has seen many changes since the early cars produced by ASD and ARA Racing.
Each chassis has seat, foot-well, pedal and steering locations individually designed to suit your requirements.
Once assembled, the chassis is blast cleaned and powder coated in the original colour. Other colours are available by request.
We have worked very closely to the design of the cars built in the 1950’s whilst incorporating modern engineering techniques in the construction to produce a safe, reliable car.
The front suspension uses an unequal length double wishbone system with a forged steel upright.
Four pot alloy brake packages have been designed specifically for the car.
The rear suspension Is a similar format to that used on original cars and consists of a De-Dion tube axle that is located by four trailing arms and a lateral Watts Linkage.
Up rated drive shafts feed into cast hub carriers which allow fitment of a variety of disc brake options.
All our suspension components are new, with the exception of the Cosworth Limited Slip Differential unit which is professionally reconditioned.
Avo coil-over dampers ore fitted as standard.
The suspension components are all fully rose jointed and therefore allow a large range of geometry adjustment to suit different driver and track requirements.
Steering is by rack and pinion with a collapsible steering column.
Each car is built to drive and handle like the 1950's car which it emulates. When fitted with period cross-ply tyres a skilled driver can enjoy a real Le Mans experience.
The majority of our cars are built using a Jaguar XK engine. These are available from 2.4 litre through to 4.2 litre displacements. The choice of installing on Aston Martin engine is always on offer.
The XK engine is very similar in appearance and design to the original Aston Martin engines.
The advantage of using the Jaguar engine is that they, and their spare parts, are more easily sourced.
These are fitted with different gearbox options to suit the engine specification and customer preference.
Borg Worner, Getrag, Tremec, ZF, Moss and Supra boxes have been fitted.
The Jaguar units are completely overhauled by VSE and ore rebuilt to the customer's desired specification.
The engine is therefore covered by a limited warranty through VSE. A rolling road tune up session can be arranged to get the best performance from the engine and gearbox combination.
VSE also able to offer a wide range of upgrades such as triple Weber carburettors, gas-flow head or club sport engine package.
The engines can also be finished with a choice of cylinder head colours, polished rocker covers, tubular exhaust system in stainless steel and custom air filter plenum chamber.
We offer either an Aluminium or Glass Reinforced Plastic body.
Our standard car comes with a one-piece GRP body shell. Each shell is hand laid by specialists in our production mould and left to cure for several days. Woven Kevlar reinforcement is offered as an option. Once removed from the mould, the shell is trimmed and trial fitted to the chassis before being sent to the body shop. Many hours of preparation are lavished upon the body before the paint is applied.
The Aluminium cars are produced in England by craftsmen using traditional methods. Each body is hand formed and attached to our chassis by the superlegera method of supporting tube work.
We are able to offer a Left Hand Drive version with an Aluminium body. Please contact us for more details.
We also provide you with the option of including an aluminium bonnet, boot and doors to fit the GRP body shell.
Body finish options include race nose highlight (lip around grille) and racing numbers / roundels.
Each car is hand built to order. The design is specific to each customer and dependent upon individual requirements. There are numerous build choices available, many at no extra cost. Please ask us about the options available to you.
Minimum build time for a GRP bodied car is approximately four to six months from start to finish, depending upon time taken sourcing customer specified parts. The production time for an Aluminium car is a minimum of ten to twelve months depending upon specification.
All prospective owners receive a monthly update on the progress of their build. Upon completion, the car is supplied with a photographic build records and service details.
The V5 registration document produced by the DVLA that accompanies the vehicle shows it correctly registered as an ASM R1 Le Mans, complete with unique chassis number provided by ASM.
The car has a comprehensive specification and comes fully VOSA IVA tested with a UK age-related number plate. UK road fund licence and a UK MOT are supplied, as well as a limited twelve month warranty when in the UK.
If the car is to be exported from the UK, customers are responsible for ensuring that the vehicle will conform to the standard required by their chosen country of import.
Please discuss any particular requirements with ASM prior to the build commencing. We will do what we can to accommodate any requests.
Vehicle Dimensions:- Length - 4.3m / 14’ | Width - 1.7m / 5’ 7” | Height - 1.02m / 3’ 4”
Approximate Weight:- 975kg
This iconic car is only offered as a finished build. Our mission is to construct cars of quality, not quantity; to attain and maintain the best position in the market, giving maximum resale value of the vehicle. You can be assured of our care and commitment at all stages of build and your future ownership of the ASM R1.
The engineering and construction of our cars takes place on our family-run arable farm in the beautiful Norfolk countryside. We would be delighted to meet with you and show you more, or contact us for a chat to discuss your thoughts and requirements.
