Discussion
It seems to me one of you chaps is building a car like mine and I should like to find out more about it to add to my list of Meteor engined cars.
After seeing and hearing the Handlye Special in Sussex four years ago I found a Mk 4B Meteor engine in Johannesburg,towed it to Cape Town and built a double ladder frame chassis bolting Jaguar XJ12 suspension,steering and TH 400 gearbox to it.(Rolls Royce and Bentley chassis are not found lying around in SA-they have all been stolen for scrap!)
My car looks similar to the Napier Railton but is bigger having a central driving position and a passenger seat for two behind. The body, in 1930 Brooklands aero-engined style, has been framed up in half inch tube ready for aluminium sheeting to be wheeled and applied.The back-sloping grille is similar to the Napier's and it has a high Bugatti tail.
A step-up gearbox of 1 : 2.77 has been designed and is to be made up now. This gearing of 1 : 2.77 with a diff. ratio of 2.88 : 1 will give a top speed of 212mph on suitably large (22 inch) wheels.Malcolm Campbell achieved 206 mph with 450 hp so I reckon my 650 hp will do the job.I am reconciled to using modern (Aston Martin)tyres as Vintage/Veteran tyres won't stand the pace.
I have done most of the wiring up but have some way to go before I can start the motor which had been cleaned of all its gaskets.I have cut my first of about 20.And then there are the fuel and oil priming pumps to procure and fit.
If anyone has details of the Merlin/Bentley Special built by Jerry Bootsma in Holland I shall be glad to have them.I cannot trace him.My car looks similar to his but is not so low and racy. For those interested in this type of project look up Swiss Hurricane Beat Elsasser to see one that was ordered from Rolls Royce in 1930 with a Hurricane motor by a sporting gentleman and has now been restored by Beat and Ruedi Stoop.
I shall wheel my car out for some photo's shortly and shall post them on the site to stimulate discussion/advice.
Rusty.
After seeing and hearing the Handlye Special in Sussex four years ago I found a Mk 4B Meteor engine in Johannesburg,towed it to Cape Town and built a double ladder frame chassis bolting Jaguar XJ12 suspension,steering and TH 400 gearbox to it.(Rolls Royce and Bentley chassis are not found lying around in SA-they have all been stolen for scrap!)
My car looks similar to the Napier Railton but is bigger having a central driving position and a passenger seat for two behind. The body, in 1930 Brooklands aero-engined style, has been framed up in half inch tube ready for aluminium sheeting to be wheeled and applied.The back-sloping grille is similar to the Napier's and it has a high Bugatti tail.
A step-up gearbox of 1 : 2.77 has been designed and is to be made up now. This gearing of 1 : 2.77 with a diff. ratio of 2.88 : 1 will give a top speed of 212mph on suitably large (22 inch) wheels.Malcolm Campbell achieved 206 mph with 450 hp so I reckon my 650 hp will do the job.I am reconciled to using modern (Aston Martin)tyres as Vintage/Veteran tyres won't stand the pace.
I have done most of the wiring up but have some way to go before I can start the motor which had been cleaned of all its gaskets.I have cut my first of about 20.And then there are the fuel and oil priming pumps to procure and fit.
If anyone has details of the Merlin/Bentley Special built by Jerry Bootsma in Holland I shall be glad to have them.I cannot trace him.My car looks similar to his but is not so low and racy. For those interested in this type of project look up Swiss Hurricane Beat Elsasser to see one that was ordered from Rolls Royce in 1930 with a Hurricane motor by a sporting gentleman and has now been restored by Beat and Ruedi Stoop.
I shall wheel my car out for some photo's shortly and shall post them on the site to stimulate discussion/advice.
Rusty.
dinkel said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIZ_LeaTCDw&pla...
Please PM and I'll fwd you to Jerry and Harry's wherabouts.
Reads like a top project. Where are you located?
Many thanks for details of Harry Bootsma and his car.Please PM and I'll fwd you to Jerry and Harry's wherabouts.
Reads like a top project. Where are you located?
I am at Marina da Gama (near Muizenberg) in Cape Town far away from all the help and experience I need!
My e-mail address is j.crowhurst@bissets.com
TEKNOPUG said:
Hi there - sounds an interesting project. I look forward to the photos.
Are you aware of this: http://www.ppc-mag.co.uk/blog/charlie-broomfield.h... ?
Thank you.I had picked up the internet site on Charlie Broomfield's Rover. Although I had put a Chev V8 into my Rover 2600 I should have thought a Meteor engine was a bridge too far!Are you aware of this: http://www.ppc-mag.co.uk/blog/charlie-broomfield.h... ?
Rusty.
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