Conference terri::cars_uk

670.0. "*weird* machines - nominations?" by DOOZER::PENNEY () Thu Jul 06 1989 00:39

Anyone got any particular favourite weird vehicles, engines etc?
				    -----

Suggest that to qualify for inclusion thay should be weird intrinsically, not
just cosmetically. 1957 Edsel doesn't qualify therefore.  Not so sure about
AMC Pacer. 

I think also that, to qualify, a machine must have sold in at least reasonable
numbers, or maybe achieved something in competition (even if only establishing
the strength of convictions of the designer). So Chitty-Chitty Bang-Bang
replicas are definitely OUT, be-winged Chaparrals, Howmetts and the Lotus 81
are definitely IN. 

Not sure where to draw the line at specials. Reckon we have to include the RR
Merlin engined one that the chap-whose-name-I-forget built about 15(?) years
ago, and which the Daily Express reported as having done 200+ mph down the M1
(a magazine test later gave a max. of 127 I seem to remember..)

Here are a few other personal nominations:

- Messerschmidt KR200 and (especially) KR500 [have I got the spelling and
model designations right?]  I mean the 192cc 3 wheeler and the 500cc 4 wheeled
version which I remember some bloke did really well with in driving tests in
the 60s - forget his name. I'd love one of these (anyone know of a cheap 
example, however rough?)

- Burney Streamline

- A Rootes engine that was fitted to some Commer lorries in the 50s/60s. 
  Its spec. included:
	Three cylinders...
		...no cylinder heads...
			...two Crankshafts..
				...six pistons...
					...turbocharged..
						...two-stroke...
							...diesel!!!

	..and made a l-o-v-e-l-y noise!  Remember?  
	- Send you an exploded diag. if you're interested.


Also tempted to nominate...


- No, it's your turn


Richard

             <<< Note 670.12 by CHEFS::CLEMENTSD "steam nut by choice" >>>
               -<  nothing sounds as good as aMerlin in a Spitfire..... >-
    
    	Or a Lancaster/Lincoln with 4 of them!
    
    	When I were a lad - a very young lad I hasten to add, lad - Just
    after the war ('39 - '45) I remember that someone fitted a Merlin
    engine into a Trolley Bus chassis!  Can't remember anything else about
    it except that there was a photograph of it in the paper at the time. 
    It was literally just a rolling chassis with this massive great engine,
    a seat, and controls.
    
    	Weird engines:  Anyone remember the Field Marshal/Road Marshal farm
    tractor/road roller?  I did some ploughing with a Field Marshal tractor
    back in the early '50s (School holiday job).  Wonderfull noise!  They
    had a 4 litre single cylinder two stroke diesel engine with the
    cylinder horizontal fore and aft and a massive flywheel come belt
    drive power take off.  They only did about 800 RPM maximum!  The
    originals had the cylinder vertical, but they had to change that
    because they couldn't keep the vehicle on the ground well enough for
    traction!!!!!!!  They had a very weird shaped exhaust system too.  Saw
    one a Steam rally a year or two ago.
    
    				Malcolm.

    re -.1 Single Cylinder Tractor.
    
    That's the "Field Marshall". You could crank them if you were really
    brave, or I believe later models had hole where you inserted a shotgun
    cartridge (with the lead removed!), that could be fired to kick the
    beast into life.
    
    ~sam

    I think that's called a Coffman (sp?) starter.  Used to be used on some
    aeroplane engines as well.
    
    Richard