Took part in a fun MG run this morning with the MG Car Club – arriving at lunch just in time to dodge most of the raindrops (I felt sure on Friday as soon as the forecast was for bad weather that it was bound to be fine for the run). Although I’m not sure why we all drove past the Hallertau Brewpub at speed; even if it was mid-morning, I’ll definitely need to take that oversight up with the run organiser – or get my navigator Jonathan Darby to work out a detour next time.
Anyway, too busy driving to get any pics of the cars in action, but seeing around 100 or so of the fine machines parked up, even in an undercover parking garage, is enough to get even the most slothful camera finger working.
Here’s just a few of the beauties.
It’s a close-run thing, but this beautifully-presented 1939 TB might have just pipped the MGA in my affections.
7 comments:
The 1939 TB is beautiful.
Even to a non-mg worshipper that is still a beautiful sight.
I can look at beautiful cars all day - they are like architecture to me.
Im just a sucker for good design, whether that is in its functionality, or in its lines, balance or harmony - I am no petrol head, and Im no architect, but these are 2 of my favourite things. (beautiful women are the other thing, but Im not sure you needed to know that!)
Do I see a Twin Cam MGA there? I still have fond memories of mine, hopelessly unreliable though it was.
Also a K3 Magnette, several TCs, a TF and a rare SA..
Sigh...if you can possibly find a book called "Kings Of The Road" by Ken Purdy, PC you'll enjoy it very much.
KG, you get extra points once again, sir. :-)
Yes, there was one MGA Twin Cam -- and I'm told that the unreliability problem on these beasts has been sorted. Apparently (it was a while ago since I heard the story so it may not be precisely as I describe) the big issue was something to do with the carburettor mounts, which on the Twin Cam tended to vibrate at a certain RPM -- causing the fuel load to evaporate. Simply add a 'damper' to the mounts and it's sorted. A snorting powerful beast of a thing. :-)
Well, I'll be.....and I messed around with Amal and Weber carbs when the solution was right under my dumb nose. Damn.
For it's time it sure was a potent beast PC--and something of a speeding ticket magnet.
PC
You can sort the resonance problem by re-phasing the crankshaft to a two-plane design (it's commonly seen on American V-8 engines and lately on the Yamaha R-1 motorcycle). There are good crankshaft designers around who can do the layout for you. Another approach would be to add a large harmonic damper to the crankshaft snout. That's a little easier but not as thorough a solution. It may not be as successful.
The trouble with four cylinder engines is that they do not balance. Even when you put in a balance shaft or hydraulic engine mounts they remain unbalanced. The forces are still there hammering the crankshaft and its journals. That's one reason I do not like four cylinder engines all that much. Apart from certain specialist applications they should have been completely superceded by sixes and eights etc. long, long ago. They are still built because they are cheap. Nasty things in the main, unfortunately.
LGM
Fours also have significant packaging advantages as well.
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