Loved this bit.

https://x.com/LateBrakeShow/status/1711289976757907616?s=20

I tried to get the plate number KAR 120C on a special plate for my MGB,
but was refused. I was a huge fan of the Prisoner (still am) and lusted
after the Super 7, also wouldn't have turned down a Mini Moke for that
matter.

I say Caterham missed a bet by not using a Hayabusa lump instead of
that anemic 85 bhp 660cc Kei car engine[1]. And I agree that the electric
Moke, while undoubtedly is a fun car to mess about in, ideally should
hew a bit closer to the original's looks.

[1] Yes, I know they have other variants. I do like the old style
mudguards on the "Kei-terham".

--
FJR1300A, GL1000, KLR650A6F, EX250J9A, DR200SE, Vespa Ciao

On 09/10/2023 22:44, Mark Olson wrote:
>Loved this bit.
>
>https://x.com/LateBrakeShow/status/1711289976757907616?s=20
>
>I tried to get the plate number KAR 120C on a special plate for my MGB,
>but was refused. I was a huge fan of the Prisoner (still am) and lusted
>after the Super 7, also wouldn't have turned down a Mini Moke for that
>matter.
>
>I say Caterham missed a bet by not using a Hayabusa lump instead of
>that anemic 85 bhp 660cc Kei car engine.

440kg and 85bhp, sounds like four wheel Harley.

--
Geoff
NTV 650

Pip Luscher <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:
> 440kg and 85bhp, sounds like four wheel Harley.
>
> I think that beats any car I've ever owned, power to weight wise.

Still true when you include a ~90 kg driver? Could be.

Got me thinking, what is the most powerful car I've ever driven.
In terms of raw hp, probably just a rental Camaro with the V6
(335). Best power to weight might have been my buddy's Boxster.

--
FJR1300A, GL1000, KLR650A6F, EX250J9A, DR200SE, Vespa Ciao

Mark Olson wrote:

> > 440kg and 85bhp, sounds like four wheel Harley.
> >
> > I think that beats any car I've ever owned, power to weight wise.
>
> Still true when you include a ~90 kg driver? Could be.
>
> Got me thinking, what is the most powerful car I've ever driven.
> In terms of raw hp, probably just a rental Camaro with the V6
> (335). Best power to weight might have been my buddy's Boxster.

I'm not sure whether any comparison to a Harley is a good thing (except
to a boat anchor - ha ha, go me)

The new Moke (I saw one in the wild the other day and was a bit
confused by it, I didn't realise they were remaking them).

That works out to 5.17 kg to a hp.

My old 3.8s Jag's PTW is a touch over seven. (1560 kg and 220hp)

--
Simon

Mark Olson wrote:
> Pip Luscher wrote:
> > 440kg and 85bhp, sounds like four wheel Harley.
> >
> > I think that beats any car I've ever owned, power to weight wise.
> Still true when you include a ~90 kg driver? Could be.
>
> Got me thinking, what is the most powerful car I've ever driven.
> In terms of raw hp, probably just a rental Camaro with the V6
> (335). Best power to weight might have been my buddy's Boxster.

Probably the F430 I rented at Maranello for me, at about 480bhp. Some of the cars at Palmersport probably weren't far behind - the M3 they had at the time was well over 400, and the single seater was only 250 but wouldn't have weighed much, probably about a third as much as the Ferrari.

All pissed on by a gixer thou, obvs. But the theatrics...

On 10/10/2023 22:50, Pip Luscher wrote:
> 440kg and 85bhp, sounds like four wheel Harley.
>
> I think that beats any car I've ever owned, power to weight wise.
>
>
I had a 1988 Hymer that weighed 4.2 tonnes and had 70bhp when new. It
was slow.

Nick Brooks wrote:

> > I think that beats any car I've ever owned, power to weight wise.
> >
> >
> I had a 1988 Hymer that weighed 4.2 tonnes and had 70bhp when new.
> It was slow.

I drove a 1990 Class 60 that weighed 129 tons and had 3,100 hp when new.
It was slow.

--
Simon

sweller wrote:

> Mark Olson wrote:
>
> > > 440kg and 85bhp, sounds like four wheel Harley.
> > >
> > > I think that beats any car I've ever owned, power to weight wise.
> >
> > Still true when you include a ~90 kg driver? Could be.
> >
> > Got me thinking, what is the most powerful car I've ever driven.
> > In terms of raw hp, probably just a rental Camaro with the V6
> > (335). Best power to weight might have been my buddy's Boxster.
>
> I'm not sure whether any comparison to a Harley is a good thing
> (except to a boat anchor - ha ha, go me)
>
> The new Moke (I saw one in the wild the other day and was a bit
> confused by it, I didn't realise they were remaking them).
>
> That works out to 5.17 kg to a hp.
>
> My old 3.8s Jag's PTW is a touch over seven. (1560 kg and 220hp)

There are (or were) other versions of the Caterham with a PTW ratio of
around 1:1 apparently. That's right up there with the S1000RR and such.
Probably all been written off by now.
Had a go once in the BIL's SLC500, didn't quite scare the shit out of
me but there was certainly something pushing at the door.

--

Geoff
NTV650

On 11 Oct 2023 06:43:10 GMT, "sweller" <sweller@mztech.fsnet.co.uk>
wrote:

>My old 3.8s Jag's PTW is a touch over seven. (1560 kg and 220hp)

Do you think your old Jag *still* makes 220hp?
--
Champ
neal at champ dot org dot uk

I don't know, but I been told
You never slow down, you never grow old

On 11 Oct 2023 10:43:23 GMT, "sweller" <sweller@mztech.fsnet.co.uk>
wrote:

>> > I think that beats any car I've ever owned, power to weight wise.

>> I had a 1988 Hymer that weighed 4.2 tonnes and had 70bhp when new.
>> It was slow.

>I drove a 1990 Class 60 that weighed 129 tons and had 3,100 hp when new.
>It was slow.

You win with the big numbers

I regularly (like, yesterday) drive a 19 tonne bus[1], which (the
internet tells me) has 295hp

[1]Mercedes Citaro single-decker [2]
[2] which, the internet also tells me weighs that much [3]
[3] but I struggle to believe that, because when I did my bus test, I
had to know the dimensions of the double-decker I drove, and that was
only 12 tonnes (empty). Maybe the 19tonne figure includes full of
passengers?
--
Champ
neal at champ dot org dot uk

I don't know, but I been told
You never slow down, you never grow old

Champ wrote:

> > My old 3.8s Jag's PTW is a touch over seven. (1560 kg and 220hp)
>
> Do you think your old Jag still makes 220hp?

They are of course, British Horse Powers - which are much more sturdy
and reliable than Italian Horse Powers or any other FOREIGN Horse Power.

And yes, I expect it to make that as the bloody engine has just been
completely rebuilt and balanced. Six of fucking everything and
multiples thereof. Not cheap.

I don't know how it runs yet as the head had to go back to the engine
builders to address a valve collet fault. Should be back in the car
next week.

--
Simon

On 11/10/2023 01:35, Mark Olson wrote:
> Pip Luscher <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:
>> 440kg and 85bhp, sounds like four wheel Harley.
>>
>> I think that beats any car I've ever owned, power to weight wise.
>
> Still true when you include a ~90 kg driver? Could be.
>
> Got me thinking, what is the most powerful car I've ever driven.
> In terms of raw hp, probably just a rental Camaro with the V6
> (335). Best power to weight might have been my buddy's Boxster.
>
My Land Rover SIIA SWB without its rear enclosure but with a Ford 3
litre V6 Essex engine must be a contender.

Before taxing it I removed all the go-faster tape,stickers, wide wheels
&c, fitting 3.5 diff in the front where there had been a 2.7 (and with a
3.5 in the rear!) and LRover wheels with town & country tyres, front
wheel disconnectors and overdrive.

Not bothering to work it out on the back of a fag-packet (I don't smoke)
I reckoned I'd be OK driving it home if I kept the speedo 60 or below.

At home, I remembered the look on the face of the driver of a Xjs as I
swept magestically past him, and did the calculation: 3.5/2.7 x 60

Rather good job I wasn't clocked by The Bill - There was lots more under
the bonnet. Didn't handle like a blatterbuggy either.

On long runs (S.Norfolk to North Kent) and kept at sensible speeds it
generally did 32 mpg.

--
Rusty Hinge
To err is human. To really foul things up requires a computer and the BOFH.

On 11/10/2023 12:39, GeoffC wrote:
> sweller wrote:
>
>> Mark Olson wrote:
>>
>>>> 440kg and 85bhp, sounds like four wheel Harley.
>>>>
>>>> I think that beats any car I've ever owned, power to weight wise.
>>>
>>> Still true when you include a ~90 kg driver? Could be.
>>>
>>> Got me thinking, what is the most powerful car I've ever driven.
>>> In terms of raw hp, probably just a rental Camaro with the V6
>>> (335). Best power to weight might have been my buddy's Boxster.
>>
>> I'm not sure whether any comparison to a Harley is a good thing
>> (except to a boat anchor - ha ha, go me)
>>
>> The new Moke (I saw one in the wild the other day and was a bit
>> confused by it, I didn't realise they were remaking them).
>>
>> That works out to 5.17 kg to a hp.
>>
>> My old 3.8s Jag's PTW is a touch over seven. (1560 kg and 220hp)
>
> There are (or were) other versions of the Caterham with a PTW ratio of
> around 1:1 apparently. That's right up there with the S1000RR and such.
> Probably all been written off by now.
> Had a go once in the BIL's SLC500, didn't quite scare the shit out of
> me but there was certainly something pushing at the door.
>
>
As in 'the tortoise is getting inquisitive'?

--
Rusty Hinge
To err is human. To really foul things up requires a computer and the BOFH.

On Wed, 11 Oct 2023 13:05:47 +0100, Champ <neal@champ.org.uk> wrote:

>On 11 Oct 2023 10:43:23 GMT, "sweller" <sweller@mztech.fsnet.co.uk>
>wrote:
>
>>> > I think that beats any car I've ever owned, power to weight wise.
>
>>> I had a 1988 Hymer that weighed 4.2 tonnes and had 70bhp when new.
>>> It was slow.
>
>>I drove a 1990 Class 60 that weighed 129 tons and had 3,100 hp when new.
>>It was slow.
>
>You win with the big numbers

Should I look up some of the ships I drove back in the day? Pretty
sure they'd be an order of magnitude higher.

--
Ace
http://www.chaletbeauroc.com/

On 10/10/2023 2:50 PM, Pip Luscher wrote:
> 440kg and 85bhp, sounds like four wheel Harley.
>
> I think that beats any car I've ever owned, power to weight wise.
>

Being senile, my memory is crap, but still... I'm ashamed of myself.
Driving a power vehicle has never been on my bucket list, even though
I've been to drag races, F1 races, MotoGP races, etc. The highest PWR
I've done is prolly my FJR.

--
The erstwhile Thomas
FJR1300, R1200GS & ST1100 (in memoriam)

On Monday, October 9, 2023 at 3:44:18 PM UTC-5, Mark Olson wrote:
> Loved this bit.
>
> https://x.com/LateBrakeShow/status/1711289976757907616?s=20

I intend to get to that one. I'm obsessed with the idea of building a Seven. What could possibly go wrong!

> I tried to get the plate number KAR 120C on a special plate for my MGB,
> but was refused.

Why and why?

On Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 4:50:16 PM UTC-5, Pip Luscher wrote:
> 440kg and 85bhp, sounds like four wheel Harley.
> I think that beats any car I've ever owned, power to weight wise.

My genius mechanic has just built himself a hot rod from scratch (literally started with a firewall). The engine makes 750bhp and it weighs less than 1000kg. I haven't been in it yet, but I believe it will be quick.

Ben Blaney <benblaney@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Monday, October 9, 2023 at 3:44:18 PM UTC-5, Mark Olson wrote:
>> Loved this bit.
>>
>> https://x.com/LateBrakeShow/status/1711289976757907616?s=20
>
> I intend to get to that one. I'm obsessed with the idea of building a Seven. What could possibly go wrong!
>
>> I tried to get the plate number KAR 120C on a special plate for my MGB,
>> but was refused.
>
> Why and why?

That is the plate number of No. 6's Seven, and I was a huge fan of
The Prisoner. I have forgotten now (it was ~43 years ago) the reason
why my choice of vanity plate was refused, but my recollection of
the reason was that it was possible for that combination to come up
in the normal sequence that was in use at that time.

--
FJR1300A, GL1000, KLR650A6F, EX250J9A, DR200SE, Vespa Ciao

On 12/10/2023 14:21, Mark Olson wrote:
> Ben Blaney <benblaney@gmail.com> wrote:
>> On Monday, October 9, 2023 at 3:44:18 PM UTC-5, Mark Olson wrote:
>>> Loved this bit.
>>>
>>> https://x.com/LateBrakeShow/status/1711289976757907616?s=20
>>
>> I intend to get to that one. I'm obsessed with the idea of building a Seven. What could possibly go wrong!
>>
>>> I tried to get the plate number KAR 120C on a special plate for my MGB,
>>> but was refused.
>>
>> Why and why?
>
> That is the plate number of No. 6's Seven, and I was a huge fan of
> The Prisoner. I have forgotten now (it was ~43 years ago) the reason
> why my choice of vanity plate was refused, but my recollection of
> the reason was that it was possible for that combination to come up
> in the normal sequence that was in use at that time.
>
Currently SORNed:
https://vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/VehicleFound?locale=en

Caterham Super Seven :-)

HTH

Chris
--
The Deuchars BBB#40 COFF#14
Yamaha XV750SE & Suzuki GS550t
http://www.Deuchars.org.uk

chrisnd @ukrm wrote:
> Mark Olson wrote:
> > Ben Blaney <benb...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> Mark Olson wrote:
> >>> I tried to get the plate number KAR 120C on a special plate for my MGB,
> >>> but was refused.
> >>
> >> Why and why?
> >
> > That is the plate number of No. 6's Seven, and I was a huge fan of
> > The Prisoner. I have forgotten now (it was ~43 years ago) the reason
> > why my choice of vanity plate was refused, but my recollection of
> > the reason was that it was possible for that combination to come up
> > in the normal sequence that was in use at that time.
>
> Currently SORNed:
> https://vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/VehicleFound?locale=en

"Today, the number plate KAR 120C is owned by the family of Graham Nearn, the founder of Caterham Cars"

> Caterham Super Seven :-)

"The first 12 editions of The Prisoner commenced with McGoohan driving the Lotus and KAR 120 was a Lotus Super Seven Series II demonstrator that was powered by a Cosworth-tuned 1.5-litre engine.

https://www.hagerty.co.uk/articles/the-cars-of-the-prisoner-at-50-years/

On Thursday, 12 October 2023 at 04:45:17 UTC+1, Ben Blaney wrote:
> On Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 4:50:16 PM UTC-5, Pip Luscher wrote:
> > 440kg and 85bhp, sounds like four wheel Harley.
> > I think that beats any car I've ever owned, power to weight wise.
> My genius mechanic has just built himself a hot rod from scratch (literally started with a firewall). The engine makes 750bhp and it weighs less than 1000kg. I haven't been in it yet, but I believe it will be quick.

Haven't had the heart to sell the Evo 330 yet, having done the chassis resto. Similar power as C2S at 350, but slightly heavier ~1500kg with 4WD and Anti-Yaw. Brutal though, untouchable down the twisties. Cage equivalent of a Superduke.

https://flic.kr/s/aHsjBSeDNw

On 11 Oct 2023 12:07:01 GMT, "sweller" <sweller@mztech.fsnet.co.uk>
wrote:

>Champ wrote:
>
>> > My old 3.8s Jag's PTW is a touch over seven. (1560 kg and 220hp)
>>
>> Do you think your old Jag still makes 220hp?
>
>They are of course, British Horse Powers - which are much more sturdy
>and reliable than Italian Horse Powers or any other FOREIGN Horse Power.

heh

>And yes, I expect it to make that as the bloody engine has just been
>completely rebuilt and balanced. Six of fucking everything and
>multiples thereof. Not cheap.

*wince* I hesitate to ask what the bill was. Did you use a
specialist (which also wouldn't be cheap, I'm sure)

--
Champ
neal at champ dot org dot uk

I don't know, but I been told
You never slow down, you never grow old

sweller wrote:
> They are of course, British Horse Powers - which are much more sturdy
> and reliable than Italian Horse Powers

Prancing ponces, yer Italian horsepowers.

El Tue, 10 Oct 2023 22:50:15 +0100, Pip Luscher escribió:

> 440kg and 85bhp, sounds like four wheel Harley.
>
> I think that beats any car I've ever owned, power to weight wise.

https://www.ultimatespecs.com/car-specs/Austin/16074/Austin-Mini-850.html

--
Paul.

https://paulc.es

El Wed, 11 Oct 2023 20:45:15 -0700, Ben Blaney escribió:

> (literally started with a firewall)

Is that what we call a bulkhead?

--
Paul.

https://paulc.es