Swift DB-4 Offered

[chazcd1]

Circle D Racing is selling one of its professionally maintained cars
Car has very low mileage in last 5+ years
Includes many parts and spares (details upon request) and set-up information for several tracks
Asking price $20,000
Please contact Charles C Duncan at chazcd1@yahoo.com or Bruce Lindstrand @ Lindstrand Motorsports (262.7243346) for more information

[Charles Warner]

Powered by . . . . . ?

[DB4 Tim]

Toyota....

[chazcd1]

This is a competitive package that can get you a top 10+ finish, or better at the runoffs for < 50% of that which you could spend on a 014 platform. Also, we can guide on set-up, race craft engine rebuild, etc.

Would consider trade for Mini track-car.

[wannabe]

Is this car still available? I am 6'2 and weigh 220. Any issues there?

[DB4 Tim]

I am 6 foot and 152 it can be a bit of tight fit...however I know it can be done...depending on what is in the tub for stiffeners.

[Rick Ross]

It will be a VERY tight fit. There is no way to know without actually sitting in the car.

Also, do not assume that the seller monitors this forum. You should give him a call if you are serious about this.

[DB4 Tim]

If I shrink in the next couples of years...by about 1.5 inches...I will fit ....GREAT

[Rick Ross]

BTW, this car appears to have the "tall" roll hoop......which you will most likely need if you are 6'2".

And Tim makes a good point......DB4's seem to have different cockpit panel configurations which affect the width available for your hips. Shoulder, knee, and shin clearance can also be a problem. The only way to know is to spend some time sitting in the car.

[RussMcB]

I'm 6', 175 lb. My DB-4 had the original lower inner tub panels and it was extremely tight on my hip bones. I heard some people removed (or modified) them* so normal people could fit.

* The panels, not the hip bones. :-)

[DB4 Tim]

Also there is two panels that originally came in the tub about 4.125 tall and run the length of the viable tub...that removed makes a bit more room...I installed them and the fit is like a glove...I can give photos if ya want...they where some of he first things to come out ..

DB designed the DB4.....for a 143/148 5' 8' to 5' 10 inch tall drive...apparently at that time and still today the very standard for a drivers in all formula cars....some might think ...well you know

[DB4 Tim]

Tub without is left pic


with is right

[RussMcB]

DB designed the DB4.....for a 143/148 5' 8' to 5' 10 inch tall drive...

That was what I heard, too (from Kevin at Comprent). They wanted to win, and part of the equation was a tiny driver.

I bought my DB-4 site unseen (for $19,000 a few years ago). I traveled a few hundred miles to get it. When I first sat in it I said, "Uh-oh. Did I just do something stupid?" Later I determined the fit wasn't too bad, and you know once you're driving a race car you don't think about some things that seem unbearable when you're just sitting in a car. I race crewless (some would say clueless), and another arm joint or two would have been helpful to be able to do my own lap belts. One elbow joint per arm wasn't enough. My current car (VD RF-94) is very tight. The DB-4 was maybe even tighter. I think one kit for a custom poured seat would probably have been good for 15-20 DB-4's! :-).

[Rick Ross]

Here are some pics of the very last DB4 tub ever made....

[Charles Warner]

I traveled a few hundred miles to get it. When I first sat in it I said, "Uh-oh. Did I just do something stupid?"

Russ,

I travelled to Le Mans to view the two 1987 March F1 cars. I sat in them and figured I could make it work. So, after I bought both of them and got them back to Memphis I determined there was NO way I could drive them. So, either butcher them or sell them rebuilt. Interesting what your "imagination of the moment" does to one's decision making process.

Bruce Poehlman from St Louis (bought #1 DB-4 from Steve Overton IIRC) is at least 6'1" but he is thin. Thin is the ticket in these cars.

[Chris Forrer]

I'm the happy owner of Russ McB's former DB4 (via Greg Jezarian). I'm 5'-10", 170lbs. and it's a tight fit. Even being tight you need to add personal padding. I think very few people who have them don't have permanent DB4 'tattoos' (how're your shins Rick?) Saying that, I love the car. It's a blast to drive and very forgiving especially for one with limited talent....and has been very reliable.

Jeez, maybe I should buy it. What a great selection of spares....

[Charles Warner]

Unfortunately for those of us with larger-than-life physiques (I am 6"4" in helmet and 230 pounds) there are few cars of the modern era that we can fit in comfortably (and that IS an important issue!) Lolas (Broadley is tall hisself) and other American cars (Eagles/Shadows, etc.) are where we need to go. Even in the Shadow I had to use the Hans Stuck roll bar (he is 6"6") just to fit (original is titanium BTW.) Vintage beckons in more than one way.

[DB4 Tim]

YUP...that is the one Dave Mclerran finished and sold...he is an unbelievable craftsman...of course he worked with DB assembling the tubs.....well did not work with DB...he did them

Here are some pics of the very last DB4 tub ever made....

Here are some more shots of one

[rickb99]

.... Even in the Shadow I had to use the Hans Stuck roll bar (he is 6"6") just to fit (original is titanium BTW.) Vintage beckons in more than one way.

Is that the DN11 Shadow? Think it's now owned by Jackson Dean Racing out here. If all went as planned, it probably ran the Historics race in Portland, OR about 2 weeks ago,

Jackson Dean has 10 or so cars that they currently race including George Fullmers Shadow Can-Am car (which may never hit the track after a ground up rebuild due to its rarety).

http://www.jdcracing.com/TheCARS/tabid/54/Default.aspx

NOTE:
The 2 Shadows are next to each other in the circle of cars. These things ALL get run regularly in our local SOVREN vintage club.

Last time I saw it, it also had the livery as shown in your picture.

[Charles Warner]

Is that the DN11 Shadow? Think it's now owned by Jackson Dean Racing out here.

The 2 Shadows are next to each other in the circle of cars. These things ALL get run regularly in our local SOVREN vintage club.

That is my DN-9b currently run in the HGP Group. The SHADOW livery was used in that photo as the Canadian Government refused to let any cigarette sponsorship be shown on any of our cars when we ran the support race for the Canadian Grand Prix, regardless of historical content. Normally my car has SAMSON SHAG livery as sponsored for Jan Lammers. There is another DN-9b owned by Ed Swart. His car has the correct SHADOW livery as driven by Elio DeAngelis (sponsored by his father so no special livery.) There are 2 of the 3 DN-11s that were made - one owned by Patrick Van Schoote. I have spoken with the other owner in the past but his name escapes me.

[Rick Ross]

Hi Tim,

Can you tell me more about the pics you posted of the DB4 tub. Are those pics of the last tub that Dave McLerran made?

BTW, that particular tub is now installed in my car, chassis number 036-89.

[DB4 Tim]

So YOU are the lucky guy...damn you......hehe


lets talk on the phone next week

Hi Tim,

Can you tell me more about the pics you posted of the DB4 tub. Are those pics of the last tub that Dave McLerran made?

BTW, that particular tub is now installed in my car, chassis number 036-89.

[Paddy O'Brien]

FYI, I was the guy who bought and installed the "last new DB4 tub" on the car Rick now owns. I bought the tub in 2004 and at the time Dave said he had the pieces for two more tubs but that he did not want to go through the pain of building one only to have it sit on a shelf for 8 years, like the one I bought. Dave said he would need at least $7500 to finish another. I still have my old tub and it is in better than average condition for a DB4 tub but old age has allowed the glue to dry up on the bottom aluminum section and caused delamination. The new tub totally transformed the car and instantly dropped lap times 1-2 sec per lap everywhere I went, the car actually responded to shock and spring changes!

[DB4 Tim]

...and Dave is selling the last one now....

FYI, I was the guy who bought and installed the "last new DB4 tub" on the car Rick now owns. I bought the tub in 2004 and at the time Dave said he had the pieces for two more tubs but that he did not want to go through the pain of building one only to have it sit on a shelf for 8 years, like the one I bought. Dave said he would need at least $7500 to finish another. I still have my old tub and it is in better than average condition for a DB4 tub but old age has allowed the glue to dry up on the bottom aluminum section and caused delamination. The new tub totally transformed the car and instantly dropped lap times 1-2 sec per lap everywhere I went, the car actually responded to shock and spring changes!

[Rick Ross]

Bummer.......guess I can no longer claim to have the "last" DB4 tub ever made!

[DB4 Tim]

...but you have one...a new one that trumps all....

Bummer.......guess I can no longer claim to have the "last" DB4 tub ever made!

[chazcd1]

With all this chatter, surely someone needs a back-up for the Run-offs! What about a friend? Pass along the good wors - these are the most competive Atlantics for a reasonable cost.
Chas

[ffdave]

Is this car still for sale?

[DB4 Tim]

Email him...to damn far to call...hehe

Please contact Charles C Duncan at chazcd1@yahoo.com or Bruce Lindstrand @ Lindstrand Motorsports (262.7243346) for more information

[chazcd1]

yes, the car is for sale

[ffdave]

Sure is! Have emailed

Thanks

[DB4 Tim]

Sure is! Have emailed

Thanks

No worry they are GREAT cars...enjoy !