Stop and think of the era in which the cars were designed.
Yes the major market was the US but they didn't design them
by driving around on US roads. No it was the small country
lanes regional to the factory.
The speeds are up and down, constantly through the gears.
....not flat out cruising and 70+ like the US.
The requirements for gearing were dictated by the design.
Lightweight... high ratio drive line.. scoot down that crooked lane....
missiles.
with 10 to 50kph Accel. times of less than 3 seconds.
Paul Tegler wizardz@toad.net http://www.teglerizer.com
OBie - '73 BGT - daily driver
http://www.teglerizer.com/mgstuff/ob_description.htm
Punkin' - '78 Spitfire - corner ripping screamer
http://www.teglerizer.com/triumphstuff/spit78.htm
Lil' Greenee - '73 RWA Midget - lady killer
http://www.teglerizer.com/midgetstuff/index.html
-----Original Message-----
From: Tab Julius <tab@penworks.com>
To: MGS@autox.team.net <MGS@autox.team.net>
Date: Monday, February 21, 2000 1:43 PM
Subject: Why OD on 4spd and not just 5spd?
I apologize if a greater mechanical background for me would have made this
obvious... but:
I first saw OD on an automatic. My Toyota automatic has one, as have other
vehicles I've owned, and I've always thought of it as the equivalent of 5th
gear (and a gear "over drive", fwiw).
My Saab has 5 speeds, manual, and no OD. This reinforces my "OD=5th gear"
assumption.
So, when I had a chance to think about it, I realized that the 4spd + OD on
MGs didn't fit into the equation. Is my understanding of OD wrong? Why
not just have 5 speeds / stick positions? Why 4 speeds plus a switch?
Any enlightenment appreciated...
Thanks
- Tab
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