Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/07/13
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Fun car! I couldn't afford a sortscar until I was in my 40s but have had 3 since. The problem with Whitworth (and BA) threads was the standardisation maniacs. We ended up with Unified (inch sizes) and Iso metric, neither of which are as technically sound as Whitworth BA and BSF in threadform or suitableness but appealed to the neat minded regulators with 60 deg threads and nice integer thread per inch rules. Then there were a whole bunch of parts which people often did not have the correct taps, dies and spanners for. As an engineer who had to re-engineer bolted junctions to use unified threads i can attest that direct replacement resulted in a inferior joint, and redesign resulted in heavier bulkier solutions. Frank On 13 Jul, 2009, at 04:36, Jim Hemenway wrote: > Not a Jensen Healey, but here's Barbara, my 1956 Austin Healey and > me in 1959. > > A lot of fun but what a pain in the neck to fix... damn Strombergs > and even more damned Whitworth threads! > > http://www.hemenway.com/AustinHealey.jpg > > Jim, "I haven't looked like that for such a long time." Hemenway > > > > Robert Clark wrote: >> I used to drive my uncle's 1974 Jensen Healey...with the Lotus >> engine, a Vauxhaul gearbox (I believe), along with two Stromberg >> carbs...like a little rocket and I always loved it. Was my intro to >> what a sports car was and I've never gotten over it! Being 17, >> driving that with the cute girl down the road, and feeling the >> acceleration of the car was magical! >> Robert Clark >> Lancaster, PA >> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Frank Dernie" <Frank.Dernie at >> btinternet.com >> > >> To: "Leica Users Group" <lug at leica-users.org> >> Sent: Saturday, July 11, 2009 1:38 AM >> Subject: Re: [Leica] speaking of cars violently OT >>> Try an Elise. >>> Frank >>> >>> On 11 Jul, 2009, at 06:06, Adam Bridge wrote: >>> >>>> I had a Lotus S2 - two 2-barrel Webers. It was a RIP to drive >>>> but needed >>>> lots of TLC as cars of that era did. >>>> I loved the close-ratio gearbox and how it would leap ahead with >>>> the >>>> slightest urging. Stopped darn well too! >>>> >>>> Of course it would never pass today's crash tests but I'd love a >>>> modern >>>> Lotus roadster to be a retake on the Elan. The top can leak, >>>> that's okay! >>>> >>>> Adam >>>> >>>> On Fri, Jul 10, 2009 at 9:33 PM, Frank Dernie >>>> <Frank.Dernie at btinternet.com>wrote: >>>> >>>>> The Elan S4 was a favourite of mine. It had Stromberg carbs >>>>> which gave more >>>>> power and broader torque band than the more fashionable Webers, >>>>> and better >>>>> fuel consumption. It was surprisingly roomy for such a tiny >>>>> light car. >>>>> Frank >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On 11 Jul, 2009, at 00:42, Jerry Lehrer wrote: >>>>> >>>>> Dennis und Frank >>>>>> >>>>>> The original Europa mit Renault engine was a dog! But the >>>>>> original >>>>>> Elite, if it had modern brakes would really be >>>>>> a windy road car. The Elan S2 when de-bugged is a superb >>>>>> handling car. >>>>>> >>>>>> Yes, I've used them all >>>>>> >>>>>> Jerry Lehrer >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Dennis wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> Hi Frank, >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I wondered your thoughts on Lotus' road cars. I had a Europa >>>>>>> Special and >>>>>>> it is a marvel. Very light, incredible suspension, and so >>>>>>> responsive. I >>>>>>> thought Colin Chapman brilliant and was stunned at his >>>>>>> premature passing. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I could never afford one of todays 'supercars' but if I could >>>>>>> I would >>>>>>> likely own a Lotus and use some of that "leftover" money for >>>>>>> a worthy cause. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I agree the Veyron is an ugly piece ;-) >>>>>>> >>>>>>> But, Lotus aside, what do you make of the Ariel Atom? >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Dennis >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Frank Dernie wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Pagani Zonda. >>>>>>>> For "frequent" use Ferrari 599. >>>>>>>> For daily use Porsche 911 turbo. >>>>>>>> For pure driving Lotus anything. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> There are lots of cars about which have fancy styling and are >>>>>>>> "2 seat >>>>>>>> limos" with loads of kit, weight and electronic driving aids >>>>>>>> to make them >>>>>>>> easy to drive for less good drivers. >>>>>>>> These are great pose-mobiles and practical for a rich person >>>>>>>> of limited >>>>>>>> talent to show-off in. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I may have left some out, I am neither wealthy enough nor >>>>>>>> interested >>>>>>>> enough to study in detail. Weight is the most important >>>>>>>> chassis parameter >>>>>>>> for performance. Road cars are to a great extent a fashion >>>>>>>> item and image >>>>>>>> statement. Published stuff tends to be acceleration and top >>>>>>>> speed. It is >>>>>>>> possible to get impressive figures for these without much >>>>>>>> chassis >>>>>>>> sophistication at all. Since weight is currently not >>>>>>>> something fashionable >>>>>>>> to minimise "supercars" are now as heavy as trucks, hence no >>>>>>>> longer >>>>>>>> supercars IMO. This Bugatti thing weighs the same as 2 Ford >>>>>>>> GT40s! >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> To put perspective on this, +10kg on a F1 car loses over 0.3 >>>>>>>> secs per >>>>>>>> lap. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Frank >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>>> Leica Users Group. >>>>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more >>>>>> information >>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> Leica Users Group. >>>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more >>>>> information >>>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> Leica Users Group. >>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more >>>> information >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Leica Users Group. >>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >>> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information