Not two but three . . .
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Sir,
Shame! The article written by E. L. W. (when are we going to drop the habit of using initials and use names?) entitled “Trials Topics” does not come up to the standard of accuracy one associates with Motor Sport. To qualify, a competitor requires two placings within the first THREE in any of the qualifying events or three placings within the first six.
Most cars are fitted with Ford 93A 1,172 C.C. engines and not the 100E-model which is not only heavier but does not have the torque at low revs, with which the older engine is blessed. Though the Ford 8/10 front axle beam is invariably used it is usually fitted with much lighter hubs, both Austin 7 and Morris Minor being favourites. Though a Ford “A” bracket is used for the location of the back axle very few cars actually use a Ford axle, the favourite in this case being an Austin 8 component which is very much lighter.
I feel that an article illustrating [see centre-spread—ED.] and accurately describing a number of the current “mud pluggers” is now long overdue and would be undoubtedly welcomed by a goodly percentage of your readers.
Bramhall, Cheshire. Roy N. FLETCHER.
[E. L. W. replies :— Tut, tut. I can only bow my head in shame over the slip of the pen regarding the qualifying placings—in fact my workings have been based on the correct formula as pointed out by Mr. Fletcher. The choice of engines is limited now and although Mike Cannon, builder of the Cannon-Ford cars, prefers the slightly smaller E93A Ford unit, these are becoming harder to obtain and 100E units are appearing with the Ford Eight cylinder head to increase the compression ratio. In addition to the Ford back axle and Austin Eight axle, other axles do appear from time to time, including the pre-war Wolseley Hornet axle, which is an even lighter pressing, whereas the Ford is a casting of quite stout proportions. On the subject of running gear, the variety of wheels used so is wide now and the origin so remote (note the alloy wheel on Alex Francis’ Alexis on this month’s front cover) that some drivers have given up carrying a spare, while to comply with certain Clubs’ regulations, one or two cars have appeared with an autocycle or moped sufficing for the spare wheel !]