In a message dated 9/26/01 11:06:48 AM, clabaw@jpl.nasa.gov writes:
<< At 08:05 PM 9/25/01 -0400, Robert E. Shlafer wrote:
>
>Mike, Sprites were never intended for
>American running conditions, even as they
>were back in '58, and were definitely not
>designed to run in hot climates; there is >>
Cap'n Bob: This seems to be "written in stone" now and our experience in the
'60's proves otherwise. Now the intent may be questionable, but the fact is
that I drove MY new Bugeye stock between San Diego and Yuma (summer air
temperature 120 degrees) regularly without overheating incidents. The only
time I was ever concerned about the Sprite overheating back in those days was
near a Military fort where Bob was serving as a reservist and the air temp
was 105. The road was so bad I couldn't drive over about 40, which barely
kept the engine below boiling. Obviously, we were using 60's oil and high
octane gasoline (at 30 cents a gallon).
Bob had the Judson installed in HIS car in 1960 and took it on a 3800 road
trip into Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, and Arizona and back to
California. Despite 100 degree weather, the car performed beautifully. Of
course in all of this, the sunburns were legendary. I had a lovely tan
right around a cross-your-heart bra and through a blouse.
So the next time someone tells you that these cars weren't intended for U.S.
driving conditions, tell them that may be, but they performed admirably
anyway. For a couple of years it was the only car we had.
Annice & Bob
1960 Bugeye (Mk. IV in disguise)
1966 Sprite Mk. III (Still in Boxes)
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