Topic

Yep, that's the one It went back to Bonneville in 1959 with Phil Hill driving it and managed 254.something mph. I *think* this still stands as a class speed record (that's the link for the last photo - a Mossy Hill). The whole car was built after hours by the engineering team, I recall reading (probably in John Thornley's book Maintaining the Breed) that Syd Enever, the chief engineer, stripped and rebuilt the engine one night not long before leaving, as he was disappointed the engine was only producing 240hp. Result was 300 Another story of Syd Enever and, I think, John Thornley (although it may have been someone else - Syd Cousins perhaps?) spend another long night with a hole saw lightening the whole chassis. Although, it may have been one of the earlier cars, I'm not 100% sure.

And here's the image I borrowed, of the engine in it's current house at Gaydon. The whole story is one of the things that inspired me to become an engineer.



And one of Hill in 1959 with EX181, showing just how small it is.



And alongside EX135 and EX179

http://www.flickr.com/photos/triggerscarstuff/4650567277/lightbox/

What a great story, thanks Andrew.

OK a quick one.

Please post a photo of the MG model which came equipped, as standard, with a four hydraulic ram jacking system to raise the car.

You should have said "designed to raise the car", cos I'm not sure how often it worked...



For the rarer tourer, the YT

Well done again Andrew, the others are going to have to be quick to get in before you.

Yes this is the Smiths Jackall four wheel hydraulic system. Four rams pushed downwards on the ground activated by a hand operated pump unit mounted on the bulkhead. This enabled the driver to raise the whole car off the ground enabling easy wheel changing and other maintenance. The front could be raised independently and vice versa if required.

Here it is in operation, just need to ensure you are on a solid surface before deploying the rams



Here is an 'exploded' view of the Jackall pump


and a diagram of a ram, so as you can see there are a few places seals could deteriorate, but like all MG 'tasks' a thing that can be fixed.




The system, like any other on a car, needed some maintenance but if looked after was very successful at raising the car. It was fitted to some of the larger pre-war MG saloons but was fitted as standard to the Y-Type which had been in development in 1939 but had had to wait until 1947 before it went into production.

I'd forgotten the SVW cars had them as well.

OK, an easy one now that I've borrowed from another forum in the states:

Which was the first production MG to use pushrod operated over-head valves?

you forgot this bit

And the tie breaker if needed:

What's MOWOG stand for? (there is a correct answer for this)

Which was the first production MG to use pushrod operated over-head valves?

Now I don’t really know the difference between all this “complicated” stuff – that’s what Garages are for but wasn’t it the MG TA Midget in 1936 - the MG VA came out in 1937 – both a little before even my time? If I am talking my usual rubbish please excuse an old duffer but it's raining (again) so I might as well get wet inside as out if you catch my drift. .

MOWOG – do we really, really want to go down this route?

Not quite, VA is closer than TA though

Think, the VA was not the first of the SVW cars to be released.

Another acronym – I have enough problems working out what an engine is without MOWOG, SVW et al. I assume therefore that the answer might, and I only posture migh, be the “SA” class?

The SA was marketed as the "Two Litre". However after the SA was announced at the October 1935 Motor Show, and before the SA was available at the dealer network, the factory increased the engine size to 2.3 litres to give the car better performance in a competitive market. It had Paul’s "Jackall" jacking system with independent jacks at each wheel.

I won’t go on as, sometimes, it is better to keep quiet and be thought a fool rather than put words to print and be proven one!!

Sorry, but you're basically right, SVW just refers to the SA, VA and WA models. And yes, SA was the first production MG to use pushrods, all other prior to that having been overhead cam or sidevalve (very early Morris-based models).

Dad has a WA, in several million pieces, often referred to as Abingdon's prototype tank for WW2...

So does that mean I am right or just a bit basic??

On the assumption I was/am (right) then I will set a puzzle that Paul will know as will Brian ( - where is Brian these days?) and you may well find interesting although not totally new to the quiz (see the previous quiz history) but, this time, with a twist!

Right – as you mentioned The War (are there any German’s about):–

What is the MG link, in more ways than one to the Great War (WWI) and why might this include “flying into friendly fire”?. You might also find an unusual “twist” to this answer and sheep play their part in “General” although the “Cardinal rule” does not!! so enough clues – dig, dig, dig