Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Mallett
The works cars (the original ones) ran an all alloy engine. As to re location that was a Chatham special and not a works mod.
Al, I'm not going to defend them because I agree to a point. But there was a distinct lack of understanding of the suspension and the tyre pressures when they were first launched. If you read the books you'll find that very soon owners learned to ignore the manuals and set the cars up independantly. In fact Downton produced a version that was very good. The handling was never going to match that of the B but then again the MG works had tried to stop Isigonis from going down the straight 6 route for the reasons you state.
Nowadays of course, with better bushing and that pushrod suspension they are a much more competitive prospect. They are also a very good long legged GT for cruising the continent.
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Holy Thread Resurrection Batman!! In a conversation with someone involved after the event (repatriation of the ally engine and other parts). Two cars were sold off in New York..one was brought back to the UK. The experimental all alloy engine was tried in practice, but could not scavenge away heat adequately in an endurance race).
Original tyres on production models were 165 X 15...couple this with underinflating to MGB pressures for the press release gave rise to poor handling words...modern 185s pumped to say 36 PSI front and 32 rear makes for a good handling tourer...
Not quite as nimble as a B, but able to out accelerate at the top end and then to cruise past them when they run out of puff around 100 MPH is very pleasing...