Messages

31

Cobra (Thames Ditton) Forum / Axle ratio

« on: April 05, 2016, 22:57:09 »

If we start to consider overdrives then perhaps a simpler solution is to fit a 5 speed gearbox? My (4 speed) car runs a 3.77 diff. It's noisy and thirsty but it doesn't half go. And it still has a huge first gear. John, if you fitted Salisbury's highest ratio (2.88:1) then you really gave 6011 some motorway legs. You'll know this ratio was fitted to automatic 428s (max power @ 4,600 rpm) and gave around 30 mph per 1000 rpm on 15" 205/70 tyres. Manual 428s got the 3.07:1, which gave about 27.5 mph per 1000. I have a spare 3.31 diff which I may fit at some stage, but I think it's about as low as is possible to go without making that first gear just too long to use. Contemporary road tests of COB and COX cars record that these European cars got a 3.54 diff as standard. The Motor road test of COB 6106 car talks about the standard 3.54 ratio being replaced with a 3.31 diff on subsequent cars (but looking at the figures obtained in the road test I'd make a guess that the car had a 3.77:1 fitted anyway; others will know more.) Oh, and again reading road tests of the time, it seems that 427s were fitted with a 3.54 diff as standard too. But do I want to go touring in a Cobra? Er, not really. Give me an Ace, AC or Bristol powered, any day. 5 speed gearboxes for 289 Cobras? Seems a solution?

32

428 Frua Forum / How many 428's?

« on: February 19, 2016, 17:04:03 »

Thanks Andy. You don't list a body style for CF59 and CFX 61 in the register. Both Fastbacks, both Convertibles, or one of each? Tim

33

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / Car in need of Engine CL2317WT

« on: February 19, 2016, 15:09:38 »

Ron. You probably know CL 2317 was originally fitted into Aceca AEX 568, a car dispatched to Canada. I don't know if it's a survivor. Hopefully your engine will find its way back into an Ace or an Aceca. Tim

34

428 Frua Forum / How many 428's?

« on: February 15, 2016, 19:26:07 »

Just to re-wind a bit and go back to numbers produced, I was a former 428 owner back in the 1970s (CF 17 and CF 19). I was a fairly regular visitor to the factory in those days, which gave me the opportunity to research these cars. I discussed numbers produced with Fred Larrimore and Keith Judd; the breakdown they gave me then was 50 Fastbacks and 31 Convertibles. These figures included CF 81, the closed headlight convertible and the final car, which had still to be completed at the time. Has anything come up in recent research to question these figures? Tim

35

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / BEX279, Race History 57-64, Restoratoration Guide

« on: December 21, 2015, 12:56:13 »

Jeff, Your picture shows Herb Jones in BEX 279 at Spa Francorchamps on  18 May 1958 competing in the 2 litre GT race. He came 4th ov. Winner was Mike Anthony in AE 40 (by now Bristol-engined), 2nd was Ted Whiteaway in AE 106 (also Bristol-engined). 3rd was a Porsche 356, and 5th another - this driven by one Jim Clark.
   Beers this time go to Tony Bancroft.
   Tim

36

Cobra (Thames Ditton) Forum / CS2030

« on: November 19, 2015, 19:43:42 »

Robin,
   I can only agree, very elegant.
   I wonder what Stirling Moss thought of the car? I don't recall him ever commenting in the motoring press?
   From your description it sounds as though the car is now perhaps more 'spirit' than body? Whatever, it is good, and I think important, that CS 2030 lives on.
   Let us hope a new owner replaces the body, corrects the interior, fits the correct wheels and so on.

37

Vintage, PVT & 2 Litre Forum / Just saved another one TPC 843

« on: October 18, 2015, 14:47:18 »

Engine appears to be fitted with 1 1/4" SUs (and manifolds) from an Ace. Is the engine number the same as that on the chassis plate or a replacement? Thanks, Tim

38

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / Bristol gearbox Oil?

« on: September 25, 2015, 08:04:33 »

Interesting to learn that a 80/90 W oil will work in a Bristol gearbox. I've always used a straight 30 which works well too. If you have an overdrive fitted then I would worry that the heavier weight oil might not do the O/D unit any favours, given that it needs to spin freely and engage/disengage quickly. Luke?

39

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / Door hinges

« on: July 22, 2015, 12:46:23 »

I think this is a common problem, but easily rectified. On all the cars cars I've worked on there are bronze bushes about an inch long fitted to the top and bottom of the hinge post tube, through which the securing bolt fits. They wear fairly rapidly, but are a simple job to replace. Just pack the hole underneath the hinge bolt with a cloth to stop nuts and washers dropping down into the sill! Tim

40

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / Goodwood 72nd Members Meeting 2014

« on: March 26, 2015, 07:09:47 »

Great race Andy. Well done! Wish I'd been there. Tim

41

Cobra (Thames Ditton) Forum / CSX2436

« on: January 07, 2015, 16:22:15 »

There's another, same auction.
   http://www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1964-shelby-289-cobra-6/

42

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / Searching for Pellandini Ace- "Beware1"

« on: January 07, 2015, 16:19:30 »

Still no trace of 'Beware 1', but here is one of the 'Baby Doll' Morgans from the same stable.
   http://www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1959-morgan-plus-4-baby-doll-lightweight/

43

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / BEX1183 for sale in Flagstaff, Arizona USA

« on: January 06, 2015, 08:02:38 »

If the serial number is correct (1183) then the prefix will be AEX, meaning the car started life as an AC-engined Ace. That said, AEX 1183 is alive and well and looking just like it left the factory in 1960. There never was a 'BEX 1183'.

44

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / Ammeter

« on: October 18, 2014, 12:44:29 »

Roger, You are correct, no retaining clamp. Ammeter is a push fit into the dash. Bend out the prongs in the body sufficiently to ensure it stays in place once pushed in. With regard to lighting, your ammeter should have a series of cut outs running around the circumference of the body, loosely protected by a blue plastic insert intended to keep the dust out and allow a light to be shone in. A bulb and socket are attached to the gauge (oil pressure) above the ammeter. So when you turn the lights on the bulb shines a light through the blue plastic and illuminates the ammeter. At least that's the plan. Tim

45

Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum / California Photo Library

« on: October 09, 2014, 09:42:04 »

John,
   Thank you, some really great pictures, most of which I've never seen before. Those of the Le Mans cars are fascinating. I found the photos of Pellandini Ace too - I'm still searching for what happened to it!
   Tim