Competition Automatic Gearboxes

This is the place for posts that don't fit into any other category.

Moderator: RichardW

User avatar
white exec
Moderating Team
Posts: 7445
Joined: 21 Dec 2015, 12:46
Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: Competition Automatic Gearboxes

Post by white exec »

The very same, bobins - Just down the road from home and work in Billingshurst.
It had lots of ancient cars there then, back in '89.
Chris
User avatar
Dormouse
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2010
Joined: 15 Apr 2021, 14:32
Location: Kingdom of Fife
My Cars: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, Fiat Ducato, Morris Mini.
plus notable cars I have owned :- Studebaker 1921, Daimler Consorts, Mercedes 220 Pontoon, Simca 1301, Austin Metropolitan, lots and lots of Minis, both steel and fibreglass bodied, Fiat 500F, Citroen GSA's, Skoda Estelle 120 Rally replica, DKW 1000S, Triumph Herald Estate, Warwick GT (very briefly)
x 666

Re: Competition Automatic Gearboxes

Post by Dormouse »

white exec wrote: 04 Jul 2021, 09:06
Dormouse wrote: 04 Jul 2021, 08:42 The auto box oil filter is horizontal above the inspection plate for clearance (and larger). the manual oil filter hangs vertically down the front over the plate. You obviously never had the inclination to adjust your brake bands! [-o< :yeah:
You're right, I did end up with a horizonal oil filter.
Just forgot about that, and a lot of other detail about the conversion too, as it was all more than half a century ago. :shock:
A good reason not to try to add anything to that Wiki entry! (The Hydractive Suspension entry is another matter: quite a substantial addition there. Much more recent... )
yes the vertical filter didn't fit without serious mods
try this for a membership badge
AP Nutters Club.png
Last edited by Dormouse on 04 Jul 2021, 13:14, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Dormouse
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2010
Joined: 15 Apr 2021, 14:32
Location: Kingdom of Fife
My Cars: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, Fiat Ducato, Morris Mini.
plus notable cars I have owned :- Studebaker 1921, Daimler Consorts, Mercedes 220 Pontoon, Simca 1301, Austin Metropolitan, lots and lots of Minis, both steel and fibreglass bodied, Fiat 500F, Citroen GSA's, Skoda Estelle 120 Rally replica, DKW 1000S, Triumph Herald Estate, Warwick GT (very briefly)
x 666

Re: Competition Automatic Gearboxes

Post by Dormouse »

Apologies to KP in advance
sorry I couldn't change it to 1959
User avatar
Dormouse
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2010
Joined: 15 Apr 2021, 14:32
Location: Kingdom of Fife
My Cars: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, Fiat Ducato, Morris Mini.
plus notable cars I have owned :- Studebaker 1921, Daimler Consorts, Mercedes 220 Pontoon, Simca 1301, Austin Metropolitan, lots and lots of Minis, both steel and fibreglass bodied, Fiat 500F, Citroen GSA's, Skoda Estelle 120 Rally replica, DKW 1000S, Triumph Herald Estate, Warwick GT (very briefly)
x 666

Re: Competition Automatic Gearboxes

Post by Dormouse »

xantia_v6 wrote: 03 Jul 2021, 10:27 On the subject of 1959 minis, this video is interesting and a little entertaining:


The chugging engine that you can hear in the background near the beginning of the video is actually a factory prototype 425 CC twin cylinder A-series engine which was originally intended to power the mini. Ivan has done a series of videos on the restoration of that engine, stating with just the bare block and head.

On the subject of automatic transmssions, I remember reading (in the 1970s) of one of the professional rally drivers who drove a mini cooper S (but I think not a works driver) who described and experiment where they fitted a full spec rally mini with an automatic transmission, but with a normal clutch instead of a torque convertor. The idea being that the clutch was only used from standing starts and the transmission would look after itself when changing gears. It apparently worked OK, but ended up being no faster than a normal manual transmission.
Issigonis worked as a consultant for lots of companies. I am sure he was involved with the stepped piston, oil sumped 2 stroke Villiers tried to develope. I am pretty sure I read somewhere that he wanted to design a 2 stroke engine for the Morris Minor. It was poo pooed by BMC management.
User avatar
Dormouse
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2010
Joined: 15 Apr 2021, 14:32
Location: Kingdom of Fife
My Cars: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, Fiat Ducato, Morris Mini.
plus notable cars I have owned :- Studebaker 1921, Daimler Consorts, Mercedes 220 Pontoon, Simca 1301, Austin Metropolitan, lots and lots of Minis, both steel and fibreglass bodied, Fiat 500F, Citroen GSA's, Skoda Estelle 120 Rally replica, DKW 1000S, Triumph Herald Estate, Warwick GT (very briefly)
x 666

Re: Competition Automatic Gearboxes

Post by Dormouse »

User avatar
Dormouse
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2010
Joined: 15 Apr 2021, 14:32
Location: Kingdom of Fife
My Cars: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, Fiat Ducato, Morris Mini.
plus notable cars I have owned :- Studebaker 1921, Daimler Consorts, Mercedes 220 Pontoon, Simca 1301, Austin Metropolitan, lots and lots of Minis, both steel and fibreglass bodied, Fiat 500F, Citroen GSA's, Skoda Estelle 120 Rally replica, DKW 1000S, Triumph Herald Estate, Warwick GT (very briefly)
x 666

Re: Competition Automatic Gearboxes

Post by Dormouse »

Honda is not alone in pursuing transmission options though
Opera Snapshot_2021-07-05_072932_powersports.honda.com.png
User avatar
Dormouse
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2010
Joined: 15 Apr 2021, 14:32
Location: Kingdom of Fife
My Cars: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, Fiat Ducato, Morris Mini.
plus notable cars I have owned :- Studebaker 1921, Daimler Consorts, Mercedes 220 Pontoon, Simca 1301, Austin Metropolitan, lots and lots of Minis, both steel and fibreglass bodied, Fiat 500F, Citroen GSA's, Skoda Estelle 120 Rally replica, DKW 1000S, Triumph Herald Estate, Warwick GT (very briefly)
x 666

Re: Competition Automatic Gearboxes

Post by Dormouse »

Blow me down! I have just been watching more of Ivan's Shed vlog and what has he got - a BMC 2stroke prototype that has been languishing for years. Can't wait to see him get that up and running.
Opera Snapshot_2021-07-05_100727_www.youtube.com.png
User avatar
Dormouse
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2010
Joined: 15 Apr 2021, 14:32
Location: Kingdom of Fife
My Cars: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, Fiat Ducato, Morris Mini.
plus notable cars I have owned :- Studebaker 1921, Daimler Consorts, Mercedes 220 Pontoon, Simca 1301, Austin Metropolitan, lots and lots of Minis, both steel and fibreglass bodied, Fiat 500F, Citroen GSA's, Skoda Estelle 120 Rally replica, DKW 1000S, Triumph Herald Estate, Warwick GT (very briefly)
x 666

Re: Competition Automatic Gearboxes

Post by Dormouse »

This is where he started with the A Series 4 stroke prototype. Just listen to how matter of fact he makes the rebuilding sound!
User avatar
Dormouse
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2010
Joined: 15 Apr 2021, 14:32
Location: Kingdom of Fife
My Cars: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, Fiat Ducato, Morris Mini.
plus notable cars I have owned :- Studebaker 1921, Daimler Consorts, Mercedes 220 Pontoon, Simca 1301, Austin Metropolitan, lots and lots of Minis, both steel and fibreglass bodied, Fiat 500F, Citroen GSA's, Skoda Estelle 120 Rally replica, DKW 1000S, Triumph Herald Estate, Warwick GT (very briefly)
x 666

Re: Competition Automatic Gearboxes

Post by Dormouse »

If you thought "nutters at 98" in a Mini was hairy, watch the first 6 seconds of this video.



Ivan Dutton at his best.
User avatar
Dormouse
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2010
Joined: 15 Apr 2021, 14:32
Location: Kingdom of Fife
My Cars: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, Fiat Ducato, Morris Mini.
plus notable cars I have owned :- Studebaker 1921, Daimler Consorts, Mercedes 220 Pontoon, Simca 1301, Austin Metropolitan, lots and lots of Minis, both steel and fibreglass bodied, Fiat 500F, Citroen GSA's, Skoda Estelle 120 Rally replica, DKW 1000S, Triumph Herald Estate, Warwick GT (very briefly)
x 666

Re: Competition Automatic Gearboxes

Post by Dormouse »

Anyway. Back to drag racing and automatic transmissions.
Opera Snapshot_2021-07-05_181246_www.google.com.png
And if you don't think it is competitive, google lawn mower racing. The British Lawn Mower Racing association has 4 classes. Class 1 is for Pedestrians!!!!!!
User avatar
Dormouse
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2010
Joined: 15 Apr 2021, 14:32
Location: Kingdom of Fife
My Cars: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, Fiat Ducato, Morris Mini.
plus notable cars I have owned :- Studebaker 1921, Daimler Consorts, Mercedes 220 Pontoon, Simca 1301, Austin Metropolitan, lots and lots of Minis, both steel and fibreglass bodied, Fiat 500F, Citroen GSA's, Skoda Estelle 120 Rally replica, DKW 1000S, Triumph Herald Estate, Warwick GT (very briefly)
x 666

Re: Competition Automatic Gearboxes

Post by Dormouse »

Now this is definitely going to scalp your lawn
Opera Snapshot_2021-07-05_182417_www.google.com.png
nought to 2 acres in no time flat
User avatar
bobins
Donor 2023
Posts: 5697
Joined: 05 Jul 2012, 18:07
Location: Midhurst, West Sussex
My Cars: Kia Sportage
Mazda BT-50
Land Rover SIII SWB
V-F-R800
SL320
MX5
x 2871

Re: Competition Automatic Gearboxes

Post by bobins »

Dormouse wrote: 05 Jul 2021, 18:17 Anyway. Back to drag racing and automatic transmissions.

And if you don't think it is competitive, google lawn mower racing. The British Lawn Mower Racing association has 4 classes. Class 1 is for Pedestrians!!!!!!

In a bizarre series of coincidences, the BLMRA first started but a short mowers ride from the breakers yard mentioned by Chris above. It had its origins at Wisborough Green and has run many events at Brinsbury College which is even shorter drunken stagger from Chris's breakers yard :lol: Small world etc, etc. :-D

If you're gonna mow, do it in style :rofl2:
Image
Sadly no longer a C5 owner :(
User avatar
Dormouse
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2010
Joined: 15 Apr 2021, 14:32
Location: Kingdom of Fife
My Cars: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, Fiat Ducato, Morris Mini.
plus notable cars I have owned :- Studebaker 1921, Daimler Consorts, Mercedes 220 Pontoon, Simca 1301, Austin Metropolitan, lots and lots of Minis, both steel and fibreglass bodied, Fiat 500F, Citroen GSA's, Skoda Estelle 120 Rally replica, DKW 1000S, Triumph Herald Estate, Warwick GT (very briefly)
x 666

Re: Competition Automatic Gearboxes

Post by Dormouse »

just loving all these interconnections
User avatar
white exec
Moderating Team
Posts: 7445
Joined: 21 Dec 2015, 12:46
Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: Competition Automatic Gearboxes

Post by white exec »

I had forgotten all about the racing mowers. Lots of fond memories of Wisborough Green, though, not least the chunky landlord of The Cricketers, who would clang the bell at a busy closing time, with a friendly encouragement to "X.... off home, you lot!", which no-one took exception to. At a nearby hostelry, our then head of Sixth Form was surprised to find two of his Lower Sixth performing pole dances; apparently it was a regular booking for them. I understand he had pastoral words...

Wisboro' Green was also Phil Collins' home for a good while.

It was also home to a certain William 'Willy' Golding, OBE. Willy was ex-Navy (Intelligence, I think) and retired into teaching maths at The Weald in nearby Billingshurst. He became Head of Year, and ran his 250-strong Fourth Year cohort in ship-shape fashion, with morning register always referred to as Muster. A passion of his was Choral Evensong, and he would spend lots of time touring the country (in his beloved burgundy Van den Plas 1300), mixing naval reunions with visits to cathedrals and cathedral choirs.

Willy was for years one of my teaching colleagues, but one Monday morning he failed to show up at his usual 0745. No show later, either, and no reply on his phone. Someone was sent round to his home, where he lived alone (he had a housekeeper). He was found sitting in his favourite armchair, a whisky to hand, and dressed in his best suit (with rose lapel), all ready for a Trafalgar Day trip. It was probably how he would have liked to be remembered!
Chris
User avatar
Dormouse
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2010
Joined: 15 Apr 2021, 14:32
Location: Kingdom of Fife
My Cars: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, Fiat Ducato, Morris Mini.
plus notable cars I have owned :- Studebaker 1921, Daimler Consorts, Mercedes 220 Pontoon, Simca 1301, Austin Metropolitan, lots and lots of Minis, both steel and fibreglass bodied, Fiat 500F, Citroen GSA's, Skoda Estelle 120 Rally replica, DKW 1000S, Triumph Herald Estate, Warwick GT (very briefly)
x 666

Re: Competition Automatic Gearboxes

Post by Dormouse »

I think the best way to follow this post up is to encourage everyone to pause the next time they think about dear friends and family and remember all the good things they brought into our lives. Passed or not, they are what has shaped our times here. Slanj.
Post Reply