turboeric

50% for me, mostly from being able to guess the year correctly. I never did pay much attention to domestic iron.

It would make the basis for an awesome mobility scooter.

Pretty expensive, but these are good. http://parts-shop.westfield-sportscars.co.uk/seats?product_id=617 There's also a wide range of narrow seats available from these guys: http://www.europaspares.com/interior-parts/seats/custom-classic-kitcar-seats.html

Ah, but the Jags were awfully gorgeous too - especially the XKSS.

Isn't this just the ghost of Colin Chapman machining away excess weight?

That's from the documentary Chasing Ice, which I saw in a theatre last year. Well worth seeing, and seeing that sequence (and others) on the big screen is simply awe-inspiring.

Actually, both the Fergie engine and the TR engines were derived from the Standard Vanguard engine, which was Standard's bread and butter saloon car. Both Ferguson and Triumph were part of Standard Motors. This was before Ferguson and Massey-Harris merged to form Massey Ferguson.

I had a GT6 Mk III - it was just as you described. You get used to it (a bit like riding a horse), but a model of precision, it is not. You can see why something like a 7 was a revelation in the 50s.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XIeyjl3PfDY/U_5q8I7JexI/AAAAAAADIxM/Q50b5jLmpR8/s1600/tumblr_mi4tgtqigI1rj1lhwo1_400.jpg

The answer to 'how much turbo lag' is always 'it depends'. It is very set-up dependent. For years, VW has used tiny, tiny turbos on their 1.8T and 2.0T gas motor to beef up low end torque, and there's really no perceptible lag, but they run out of breath pretty quickly. Ford's more complex EcoBoost system accomplishes the same thing, but with a little more top end capability. The much bigger turbo on my Miata lags noticeably, but on track you can always keep it on the boil and the ultimate volume of boost is much higher, hence more hp. That said, I think you're right about the Ford motors being interesting transplant candidates.

Don't call my brother in law - he wanted some for his trailer so he could recharge his batteries over night...

I've been in meetings like this. "You've doubled production - well done! Now, why have costs gone up?":rolleyes:

I don't own one, but I looked at them carefully in 2011 when looking for a new commuter car. I'd be able to do my daily commute (15 miles highway each way) purely electric, so it made sense and appealed to my geeky love of efficiency. However, I just couldn't justify the price. Here in Canada, they're 2.5 x as much as a base Honda Fit (which I ended up buying and love). I know cars like that aren't just about the money, but damn.... I've got other things to blow my car money on that are 'way more fun.

How much of the limit is based on max trailer axle weights as opposed to the towing capacity of the Kenworth? One aspect of European emissions regulations that hasn't yet been mentioned is their focus on CO2 emissions, which diesels typically have better performance than gas.

Another data point. Subaru CrossTrek tow rating = 680 kg. (about 1500 lb) Subaru Impreza - no towing allowed. Same chassis, same drive train, same brakes.

The point is trailer brakes with a quality proportional controller. Properly set up, the trailer adds no braking load to the tow vehicle. My combination of a 2005 Subaru Impreza RS plus 13 ft, 950 lb dry trailer with brakes and a proportional controller brakes beautifully. Experimentally on a flat, deserted bit of country road, I did some braking with the trailer brakes turned down to zero and boy did the trailer push me. With the brakes properly set up, no push - in fact the braking feels normal. Trailer brakes can be added to virtually any trailer, and a proportional controller is only around $100. I suspect one problem with North American tow ratings is that small tow vehicles are more susceptible to owner stupidity. Too much tongue weight, trailer loaded up with 2 tons of gear, no brakes and 80 mph speeds in cross winds adds up to disaster. Doing this safely depends on the intelligent participation of the driver, which manufacturers generally have to assume will be lacking. I trust my engineering and driving skills - I'm not sure how far I'd want to generalize that 'though.

I hope Caterham has a big budget for front wings... Mr. Kobayashi has a reputation for being - um - assertive.

I don't know if this is the size/pattern you'd need, but worth a look. http://www.rx7club.com/wheels-tires-106/kodiak-rt-15x9-w-new-225-45-nt01s-1038404/ Full disclosure - the vendor is my son, but I can vouch for him!

Interesting. I've recently been on the same voyage of discovery here in Canada. We were looking for a small travel trailer (and I mean small: 13 feet, 950 lb dry). We heard all sorts of dire warnings about towing it with our Impreza - instant fiery death destroying everything for miles around would certainly ensue. Equipped with trailer brakes and a proportional controller, it worked completely fine. And yes, we live in the mountains. Our first trip was towing over the Rockies. I also noticed the discrepancies between UK tow ratings and the Nort American ones. In NA, you need a dreadnought class vehicle to tow a utility trailer, apparently.

Tom, I can understand the intellectual appeal of what you say about the GT-R, and in a way it's parallel to trying to get an understeering car to turn in by using your inputs properly. Fool the equipment into doing what you want. It still doesn't appeal to me 'though. If I've just turned a really good lap on track, I like to think that I've driven really well, not that the software engineers were really smart. I've seen people at the track with Godzillas and M5's and STi's going really fast, without the driver having the least notion of what they're doing. This I find worrisome. And I see them coming in with their rear brakes smoking from the electronic "differential" burning up their brakes trying to keep wheelspin in check.

Would the drivetrain fit in a Locost? :drool:

Wow - must be constructed of dreams and wishful thinking! I wonder if welding a plate over a number of tubes to spread the load might be beneficial. Not sure how feasible that would be, not knowing what your rear structure looks like.

FM put a hitch on a Westfield - you can see pictures http://www.flyinmiata.com/westfield/Torgan/index.php?UID=76 and http://www.flyinmiata.com/westfield/Torgan/index.php?UID=129 and they may be able to provide some helpful hints.

At least it appears to be self-righting! WTF was that Porsche driver thinking?

I know there was a Quebec gov't initiative a few years ago to ban the import of RHD cars. They claimed safety concerns despite a complete lack of supporting data. The suspicion was that this was a sop to car dealers who didn't like the competition from 15 year old Japanese imports.