The Brooklands book I have is a summary of articles that appeared in Road &
Track magazines over a period of 1962 to 1980. The June 1976 comparison of
the Midget 1500 against the Spitfire (and X/19, MGB, and TR7):
Top Speed Midget 1500: 89 MPH (BL HP quote: 55.5/ torque 73 @2500 RPM)
Spitfire1500: 94 MPH (BL HP quote: 57.5/ torque 75
@2500 RPM...?)
In a September 1967 comparison:
Top Speed Midget 1275: 93 MPH
Spitfire 1300: 100 MPH
Still doesn't put the argument to rest, but Road & Track is a non-biased
source, and the tests were done with stock US spec vehicles
David Riker
74 Midget
63 Falcon
70 Torino
http://personalweb.sunset.net/~davidr
----- Original Message -----
From "Trevor Boicey" <tboicey at brit.ca>
To: <ptegler@cablespeed.com>
Cc: <DLancer7676@cs.com>; <kgb@clipper.net>; <spridgets@autox.team.net>
Sent: Sunday, September 24, 2000 1:12 AM
Subject: Re: Oh Sh*^--P.S. to Trevor
> Paul Tegler wrote:
> >
> > Weight wise the Spit 1500 and the Midget are pretty close.
> > There is now doubt... and my co-driver lady friend agrees,
> > even with the lower ratio rear in the Spit the 1500 is by far
> > much faster over all than my 1275 Midget
> > which I use to say was quick.
>
> As mentioned, the Brooklands book is a series of car
> reviews in magazines. A lot of them are just reviews of the
> midget, but a large chunk of them are reviews of the
> Midget against a competitor or two, and the Spitfire is
> usually in there.
>
> When comparing 1500cc Midgets versus 1500cc Spitfires (same
> engine) the results are always VERY close. Autocar got
> that 11.9 for the Midget and 11.8 for the Spitfire.
>
> Where there was a slight difference, the Midget 1500
> was SLIGHTLY faster to speed for the lower speeds (like
> a tenth) but then fell off as the speeds got higher.
>
> Their explanation, which I agree with, was that the
> Midget got a SLIGHT advantage off the start because of
> gearing, but the spitfire eventually caught up because
> of gearing and aerodynamics. (both cars with soft-tops,
> but raised for speed trials)
>
> The top speed of the Spitfire was a little higher,
> and the top speed of the Midget actually had an
> asterix beside it because they squeezed an extra
> few mph by sneaking into the redline a bit. (Something
> like 103mph when redline in top was 101mph or
> something)
>
> So, for most purposes, performance of the 1500 Spitfire
> and the 1500 Midget are identical. So, in my best
> semblance of mathematics, your equation can be
> reduced to Midget 1500 versus 1275 Midget, and your
> observation agrees with mine and the brooklands
> reviews. Advantage, 1500. ;>
>
> --
> Trevor Boicey, P. Eng.
> Ottawa, Canada, tboicey@brit.ca
> ICQ #17432933 http://www.brit.ca/~tboicey/
> "Toaster, toothbrush, comb. I just want to go home." - Ajax
>
|