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Date: Mon, 18 Dec 1995 23:17:30 -0800
From: aq115@lafn.org (William Hoskins)
To: BLECKSTEIN@shell.monmouth.com
Subject: Re: MG Cable Brakes
Reply-To: aq115@lafn.org
Hi, Mike:
As ex-Bugatti "wrench" (with Bunny Phillips), and now
current on a '29 Riley Monaco "Special" (The 'Beasley Special'),
I feel I must take exception to the argument of cable vs hydrau-
lic brakes. In a large number of cases, it must be taken into
account that hydraulics were not used because: (a) the technology
was either not available or of such a crude level that cables
were still more reliable than the alternatives, or (b) the maker
(as in the case of "Le Patron"), due to pure pigheadedness and
egocentric behaviour, chose to go against the flow of current
thinking. In any case, with the judicious use of modern
components, all the benefits of later technology can be reaped,
without the attendant hassles of constant adjustments and/or
cable replacements. Our Riley has been (successfully) converted
to hydraulics, and the sense of confidence in *knowing* that the
retarding system is going to work, each and every time, does
wonders for the driver's self-confidence when motoring at some-
thing approaching "full chat". Having driven the car in question
myself at rather high rates of knots, I can speak with some degree
of authority...especially when comparing it to say, a type 35
"Bug" - whose brakes were, to be generous, somewhat marginal.
Originality is to be lauded, to be sure; *except* where safety is
concerned, at which point I say "originality be damned, if it puts
my neck at risk!". I'm sorry, but I must take the side of safety
at all costs, even if it means changing something from the orig-
nal specification. Were I fortunate enough to be the owner of
a Bugatti, I would fit hydraulic brakes to the bugger!
Incidentally, I have no objection to this being let out
to the entire list.
Sincerely,
Bill Hoskins
Ex-Works, Ltd. (Vintage Restorations)
aq115@lafn.org
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