LPG conversions for classics

[Twincam16]

It occurred to me recently that many Range Rover owners have converted their cars to LPG/dualfuel systems, giving much improved equivalent mpg figures and reducing the running costs without compromising performance.

I wonder whether some traditionally thirsty classics - I'm thinking Jaguar V12s, Jensen Interceptor, Gordon-Keeble GK1, American muscle cars and so on could be made more user-friendly through use of LPG. I know Bristol has been offering it as an option since the '70s without compromising the performance of its cars.

Can thirsty classics be given a new lease of life with LPG, or are some types of engines no-go areas? Anyone know anything - it's just there are some classics I love (Aston Martin V8, for example), but don't really want to own on account of their massive thirst.

[Twincam16]

2 Smokin Barrels said:

It dosn't really matter. Based upon the average mileage these cars do it wouldn't matter if they ran on Champagne at £160 a gallon. >> Edited by 2 Smokin Barrels on Sunday 12th June 23:11

That's not the point - if I had a classic GT car I wouldn't want to be doing 10 mpg even if I did only take it out at weekends.

GTs should be for lolloping across continents on a whim. This used to be the preserve of the super-rich. Now the cars have slipped into the range of mere mortals, but the running costs remain the same, petrol being the main problem. This seems to be a good way around it if you really wanted to go Grand Touring

[Twincam16]

2 Smokin Barrels said:

Petrol is not the main problem. Do the sums. Say most classics do 2,000 miles a year (generous) what's the difference in fuel cost? PS The Nexia looks good in white.

I'll wait till the morning when people are being sensible, not merely contrary.

[Twincam16]

I suppose the crux of my question was; are there any kinds of engines (highly-tuned bespoke hi-performance big V8s and V12s for example) that won't run on LPG?

[Twincam16]

lanciachris said:

Encountered a jag v12 converted to lpg. owner claimed max 13mpg even on a run, but whether or not it was a dodgy installation I dont know.

LPG won't improve your MPG figures, it's just much cheaper to buy and cleaner too.

[Twincam16]

Youth Gone Wild said:

Of course you would probably need to have an unleaded conversion as well, unless you got one of those things that puts some lead substitute into the airflow. Did you read the thing in classic cars about the bloke with his interceptor? He's getting 15mpg, soon to be 20 with a new gearbox.

Yeah, I read that, but I remember an article in Classics about a bloke who'd coonverted his Interceptor to LPG and was getting the monetary equivalent of 30 mpg.

[Twincam16]

I'm not talking about necessarily commuting in it, I'm just conjecturing that, say if you were to take your car on a very long journey, it might be much cheaper running on LPG. I'm thinking a big cross-continental European run or something (then again, can you get LPG everywhere?)