philmayfield 6,123 Posted August 21, 2018 Report Share Posted August 21, 2018 It wasn't transverse was it! Part of it must have protruded into the front seats unless it was stuffed in the rear! Shoe horned - you're not kidding! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brew 5,412 Posted August 21, 2018 Report Share Posted August 21, 2018 It was longitudinal and driven from the rear seat, if I remember correctly it was still work in progress when the article was written. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Willow wilson 894 Posted August 21, 2018 Report Share Posted August 21, 2018 Read up on the late Mick Hill of Derby. In the early 70s he was building monster BRDC racing cars. From humble beginnings with a Janglia. He once put a 430 hp Gurney Weslake V8 in a Capri and not surprisingly won a lot of races, it was replaced by a 6 litre Capri. http://mickhill.net/career/4592694274 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,123 Posted August 21, 2018 Report Share Posted August 21, 2018 1 hour ago, Brew said: It was longitudinal and driven from the rear seat, if I remember correctly it was still work in progress when the article was written. Yes I found it on YouTube but the engine wasn’t visible. It was a dragster really! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brew 5,412 Posted August 21, 2018 Report Share Posted August 21, 2018 That explains why there was no report of it being driven. I don't remember the details but then again it was a long time ago. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
denshaw 2,871 Posted August 22, 2018 Report Share Posted August 22, 2018 Early seventies I went to Santa Pod for the drag racing, I think there was a mini van with a Jag engine in it, I think the engine was installed in the back of the van. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
meeowed 314 Posted August 22, 2018 Report Share Posted August 22, 2018 Thats quite right I have some old super8 film of it and a go kart with a triumph twin engine that blew lots of stuff off and a mid engine corvette that did wheelies also a motorbike with a chevy v8 in it People were not wired up right in those days ha ha meeowed Quote Link to post Share on other sites
denshaw 2,871 Posted August 22, 2018 Report Share Posted August 22, 2018 Seem to remember the van was called Two ton carmen. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
plantfit 7,592 Posted August 22, 2018 Report Share Posted August 22, 2018 5 hours ago, meeowed said: I have some old super8 film There's two 8mm projectors sitting in one of my sheds doing nothing if you want them meeowed,only need a drive belt,easily come by Rog 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
swe62 334 Posted August 22, 2018 Report Share Posted August 22, 2018 Two ton carmen was a mk2 zephyr , the minivan was stripteaser the engine was built by Jim Tester by heck he could make a Jag go ,we used to race the DTV chevette that we built ina lock upgarage in Toton, I have a couple of pics but I can,t get them to post on here 5 hours ago, denshaw said: Seem to remember the van was called Two ton carmen. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
meeowed 314 Posted August 22, 2018 Report Share Posted August 22, 2018 I dont have any film equipment now pal i had it transferred to dvd some years ago I just did it in time film has black blotches on it but still viewable I remember comuter one of the first successful dragsters and the every ones dream the dodge charger and a ford truck with a jet engine on that blew the roof off the grandstand meeowed Quote Link to post Share on other sites
swe62 334 Posted August 23, 2018 Report Share Posted August 23, 2018 the truck with the jet on was used to dry the strip ,can you remember Harold Bills Stripduster rail 803cc a series bmc used to run 9s he used an a series oil pump driven off the front of the crank for the fuel injection pump, it had a grease nipple on the front to add enough lube for a run, Dennis Priddle was the man in those days Tudor Rose AA fueler that morphed into Mr Six superbly engineered cars , Quote Link to post Share on other sites
meeowed 314 Posted August 23, 2018 Report Share Posted August 23, 2018 I remember a Vauxhall viva v8 powered disappearing into the corn field at the end of its run and a rear engined dragster with castrol adverts on it great early days of santa pod raceway meeowed Quote Link to post Share on other sites
swe62 334 Posted August 25, 2018 Report Share Posted August 25, 2018 the viva was an ha belonging to Alan Wigmore the secretary oy the national drag racing club it was called itsaviva , the castrol rail belonged to Clive Skilton On 8/23/2018 at 8:19 PM, meeowed said: I remember a Vauxhall viva v8 powered disappearing into the corn field at the end of its run and a rear engined dragster with castrol adverts on it great early days of santa pod raceway meeowed Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Willow wilson 894 Posted September 1, 2018 Report Share Posted September 1, 2018 A friend of mine has a couple of classics in his garage. He let me drive him round some country lanes one day in his E type coupe. I think it's the phase one-and-half or 2. First thing I noticed was how small it is, me being 6' 1" the seat had to go right back. Then I was close to the roof and there is only one rear view mirror inside, no wing or door mirrors, the passenger has to act as look-out. Not very wide either. Very basic inside. There's more luxury in a modern Fiesta. Start the engine and it's another planet.6 cylinders twin pipes and who knows or cares how many horse powers (a lot), it's loud inside, sets off like a rocket, be careful of wheelspin, steers like it's on rails at the slightest movement of the wheel. Blip the throttle, dont snatch the change down, feed it in after the bend and hard away, gas and go: into 3rd, in a satisfying 6 cylinder growl. I don't know if they make cars quite as unsophisticated inside but desirably powerful like this any more: very basic, fundamental, very appealing. 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PeverilPeril 3,280 Posted September 1, 2018 Report Share Posted September 1, 2018 Just got back from the Chatsworth Show. Wow! Classic cars, trucks and military vehicles galore. Could really have done two days there. An awesome car that I have never heard of before was among the Bents, Lambos, RR's, Buggs, and was not outshone by any of them. It was a Sheffield? Sorry no pics (no camera and only have a gas driven mob). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PeverilPeril 3,280 Posted September 1, 2018 Report Share Posted September 1, 2018 Just googled it up. It was a Sheffield-Simplex 1908. Only 3 survive. The company intended making cars to compete with the Rolls. The founder died in WW1 and the business ended. It was unusual with a round brass front and cylindrical, almost loco style bonnet. A rare thing of beauty. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,123 Posted September 20, 2018 Report Share Posted September 20, 2018 The pale blue E Type V12! I very nearly traded my Morgan 4/4 in for one of those about 20 years ago. The asking price then was £19,000. It was for sale at the Roman Garage, a classic car specialist on the A52 on the far side of Grantham. It had just had a full back to bare metal respray and a mechanical overhaul. It was only the shade of blue that put me off although it was a genuine Jaguar colour. It would have more than held its price as indeed would the 1985 Morgan which now resides in Australia. The last semi classic I had was a 2002 Lotus Elise which I bought as a 70th. birthday present for myself with the intention of doing track days. I took it up to Cadwell Park but didn't have the heart to risk it on the track it as it was too good with only 5000 miles on the clock. I sold that one two and a half years ago as getting in and out was becoming difficult! I still fancy something to play with but I keep asking myself if I really want the hassle! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
siddha 825 Posted September 22, 2018 Report Share Posted September 22, 2018 Does anybody have a taper reamer that I could borrow? 6° taper, 18/19 mm at the narrowest end, any shank. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TBI 2,351 Posted September 22, 2018 Report Share Posted September 22, 2018 Ask benjamin, he might. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
plantfit 7,592 Posted September 22, 2018 Report Share Posted September 22, 2018 Riding through Beckingham last week and spotted a sign in the garage window, "Rootes Service" didn't have my camera with me so if I ride up there next week I'll get a photo of it, seems the garage has now closed down so if I see the owner I might get chatting to him and try to gain access to the place, bet it's full of old stuff Rog 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brew 5,412 Posted October 3, 2018 Report Share Posted October 3, 2018 I just looked at how much £2500in 1920 would be in 2018 - £108000. I wonder which modern say cars are tomorrows valuable antiques? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,123 Posted October 3, 2018 Report Share Posted October 3, 2018 The problem with modern cars is their electronic and mechanical sophistication which, after about ten years, becomes obsolete. The average garage mechanic only knows how to plug in the obd reader and adjust or replace the component from the readout that he gets. Older cars had simple mechanical and electrical systems which were relativly easy both to diagnose and repair. I’m sure a few modern classics will survive because rust is not an issue but will parts be available or easy to fabricate? A recent problem with my modern car, under warranty, took two weeks and three trips on a recovery vehicle for them to sort out even though I told the dealership what was wrong. Basic common sense would have diagnosed the fault. Because you’re old and grey they think you’re stupid! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
plantfit 7,592 Posted October 3, 2018 Report Share Posted October 3, 2018 4 minutes ago, philmayfield said: Basic common sense would have diagnosed the fault. Correct Phil but,Basic common sense is not all that common these days Rog 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,123 Posted October 3, 2018 Report Share Posted October 3, 2018 Too bleedin’ right Rog! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.