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Body aluminum alloy material

Discussion in 'Vintage (thru 365 GTC4)' started by Horsefly, Oct 1, 2007.

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  1. Horsefly

    Horsefly F1 Veteran

    May 14, 2002
    6,929
    #1 Horsefly, Oct 1, 2007
    In reference to all the vintage Ferraris with hand hammered aluminum bodies:
    Does anybody know the type and thickness of aluminum that was used? The same type is probably used in numerous rebodys and replicas. Curious as to the exact type and thickness that is flexible/malleable enough to form around the wooden bucks.
     
  2. Gleggy

    Gleggy Formula 3

    Sep 22, 2004
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    Gleggy
    #2 Gleggy, Oct 1, 2007
    At a guess- 5005 H34 or most probably 5052 H34 grade of alloy.
    Cheers Mg
     
  3. anton

    anton Karting

    May 8, 2004
    107
    #3 anton, Oct 1, 2007
    From memory, 3003 H11.
    Anton
     
  4. Smiles

    Smiles F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 20, 2003
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    Matt F
    #4 Smiles, Oct 2, 2007
    Wow. A technical question on a topic I actually know something about.

    The alloys of aluminum have varied, and it's almost impossible to say exactly what sort of sheet was originally used.

    Having said that, it's pretty clear that the thickness of aluminum sheet used on most racing models was around 1mm or 0.040". When repair panels are made, they are generally made with 3003 sheet and 1100 welding rod.

    The H numbers quoted above indicate the heat treat, and are pretty irrelevent for this use, as the metal will almost always be annealed to dead soft (often many times over) in order to be shaped. The "flexibility" and maleability" you refer to, Horsefly, is this softness achieved by annealing. 3003 can be annealed over and over again, and work hardens as it is shaped.

    Matt
     
  5. Smiles

    Smiles F1 World Champ
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    #5 Smiles, Oct 2, 2007
    I should probably also point out that a body buck is not used for shaping at all. Instead, sections are beaten by hand, away from the buck, and then test fitted to the body buck. Often this takes many repeated fittings, much like tailoring clothes to a human body, to get it just right.
     
  6. Vintage V12

    Vintage V12 Formula 3

    Aug 11, 2004
    1,451
    #6 Vintage V12, Oct 2, 2007
    I read somewhere that when metals were hard to come by, they used street signs from in and around Modena.....
     
  7. Horsefly

    Horsefly F1 Veteran

    May 14, 2002
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    #7 Horsefly, Oct 2, 2007
    Very interesting. This should have been readily apparent, but is easy to forget. Only a dead soft substance could be hammered onto a form and retain its shape. Any metal will have some "spring back", so shapes would have to be hammered to BEYOND the desired point so that it springs back slightly into the desired shape.

    I believe that "O" type aluminum is dead soft, but not enough to take shape on a body buck. And certainly not hard enough to retain its shape for a car body. I am familiar with 6061-T6 alloy tubing as used in antenna construction.

    For years I have toyed with the idea of someday trying to create my own auto design. The possession of many sheets of aircraft grade aluminum always keeps the idea burning. But I'm not sure exactly what grade of alloy the sheets are made of. I haven't checked in a long time. It's all just a pipe dream that may never be "malleable"!!!

    Another question concerning original aluminum used by Ferrari: WHERE did they purchase their aluminum??? The Reynolds Metal Company and the Alcoa Company made most of the aluminum here in America. Did Ferrari purchase any aluminum from these suppliers?
     
  8. sranderson

    sranderson Formula Junior

    Nov 15, 2003
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    #8 sranderson, Oct 2, 2007
    Horsefly,

    Just in case you want to further you knowledge in metal working, visit this site:

    http://www.tinmantech.com/html/gallery.php

    Kent White has restored/built many a Ferrari body. He used to be on the restoration team at the Harrah's Collection.

    SRAnderson
     
  9. Horsefly

    Horsefly F1 Veteran

    May 14, 2002
    6,929
    #9 Horsefly, Oct 2, 2007
    A very interesting site with lots of Ferrari resto pictures! I'll bet that guy doesn't have a spare day on his work calendar for years.
     

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