Arrows A8

[funformula]

Maybe there is someone out there who knows if Arrows built showcars in 1985/86.
If so, did they use damaged race-used monocoques or did they built special showcars.
I´d been offered an A8 showcar with unknown history.
It´s monocoque seemed to be manufactured out of a weird material-mix but on the other hand the some details as for example the riveted alu monocoque section in the lower front part of the monocoque is accurate.
Could it be a mock-up chassis built prior to the first real race chassis?

Any thoughts are gladly appreciated.

[peter_elleray]

hi - i was an engineer at arrows through the a8 project, 1984-1986.

there were no showcars built as such, and no mockups.

the wierd material mix you see is probably the hybrid carbon kevlar cloth material used, you will see this on the inner skins.

the only aluminium part should be the nosebox, which was rivetted to the full carbon monocque.

several of these cars were heavily damaged in period, and scrapped by the team. they may have been repaired subsequently, but would it would be worthwhile looking for evidence of major work.

there are two styles of chassis, chassis 1-4 had low sides (19" tall), 5 & 6 had higher sides (21") and a thicker cockpit rim infront of the steering wheel.

pm me some pics and ill tell you what you have got.

peter