Rumblings, December 1952

Quiz Solutions

The quiz picture in the October issue proved more tricky to readers than we had expected. It depicted Nigel Orlebar’s Orlebar Special, called “Rabelro,” a G.N.-type chassis endowed with an A.C. Six engine. It has run in sprints but not particularly frequently. Correct solutions were sent in by M. E. Smart, of Tangmere; A. F. Rivers Fletcher, of Barnet; J. Granville Grenfell, M.S.A.E., of Weybridge; P. Richardson, of Stevenage; C. M. Lund, of Brighton; B. Cuming, Jnr., of Horsham; K. J. Waring, of Finchley; G. C. Genevix-French, of Maida Vale, and J. S. Romaines, of Welwyn. Congratulations!

Incorrect solutions covered “Kim,” “The Terror,” “The Spook,” Becke Special, Stafford Special, Frazer-Nash, “Nannette” and Semmence Special. Nearly right was M. E. Mahler, of Port Sudan, but be merely specified chain-drive ‘Nash with six-cylinder A.C. engine!

The solutions to the slogans quiz on page 514 of the last issue are:

(a) Riley  (b) Standard  (c) Frazer-Nash-B.M.W.  (d) Jowett  (e) Bentley  (f) Citroen  (g) Austin Seven  (h) Sunbeam  (i) Studebaker  (j) Delaunay-Belleville  (k) Fiat  (l) A.C.  (m) Darracq  (n) Alvis  (o) Renault

Show Sideshows

Up in the Gallery at Earls Court there were many ingenious and attractive displays. It was enormously gratifying to observe how frequently racing and competition successes were cited by the accessory and components manufacturers. The eye, naturally, caught Desmo’s naked lady, especially after the hospitality of the Mintex Stand, or a drink on the roof-garden above the Capasco Stand.

Delco-Remy showed one of their oil-coils being sprayed with water while it still sent out crackling sparks from six adjacent sparking plugs. Commercial Ignition retaliated with a sort of catherine-wheel of Speed coils, which set a big spark sizzling up a long spark-gap as it revolved to make and break contact.

Duckham’s “No 1” oil was publicised by a model of Gardner’s M.G. record car, “Goldie” himself was recommending the “Smog” anti-mist cloth, and the panel telling us all about Redex sent out a real heat-wave. On the Redex Stand tiny model cars motored uphill, that labelled “Redex” passing the others! Blue Peter aroused much interest with their giant tyre retreading machine, while on the electrical stands bulbs jogged in all manner of shattering ways—to prove that they don’t shatter!

“Flying Saucers”

Alfa-Romeo recently demonstrated their products at Monza before “the most illustrious Italian exponents of literature and art.” A Type 159 G.P. car and the 2-litre and 3-litre “Flying Saucers” were demonstrated by Nuvolari, Farina, Fangio, Ascari and others. The specifications of the “Flying Saucers” are as follows:

3-litre.

Capacity : 2 995 c.c.

Cylinders: Six

Carburetters: Three, double-body.

Suspension: Front: transverse wishbones and coil springs; back: rigid axle (as on the 1900).

Valves : Two per cylinder.

Brakes: These have forced ventilation (special Alfa-Romeo type). Servo in the crankcase.

Wheelebase and track: 2.42 by 1.26 front and 1.295 back (presumably metres).

Stroke and bore: 82.5 by 92 mm.

Compression ratio: 8 to 1.

Lubrication: Forced, with oil radiator.

Gearbox: Four speeds.

Speeds: Four synchromesh.

Output: 200 h.p. approx.

Maximum speed: 250 k.p.h. approx.

Chassis: Tubular structure integral with bodywork.

Weight: 760 kg.

Body: With biconvex profile (Carrozzeria touring).

The specification of the 2-litre is the same except for :—

Capacity: 1997.42 c.c.

Cylinders: Four.

Carburetters: Two, double-body.

Wheelbase and track: 2.22 by 1,200 front and 1,235 back.

Stroke and bore: 85 by 88 mm.

Output: 130 h.p. approx.

Maximum speed: 220 k.p.h.

Weight: 660 kg.