2400 Cavalier Stroker

Sir,

I refer to your road test of my Stroker conversion for the 1.9/2.0 Vauxhall/Opel engines. The 30-90 mph acceleration target figure of 25 seconds claimed is achieved on the current 3.4 axle ratio and normal two-way test conditions with driver, observer and fifth wheel equipment. If you throw out the observer and run a light tank of petrol you will break 24 seconds. This compares with the old 2200 Coupe that you mention in your report, which achieved 22.3 seconds on a 3.7 axle (standard on the older 1.9 models).

Both four-seater cars achieve what I term efficient performance, ie, a ratio of overall petrol consumption/30-90 mph acceleration time in fourth greater than unity. On the subject of the cold start “death rattle” (piston slap, actually) mentioned in your report, do I perceive a softer approach, a thinning of the blood of Motor Sport reporting? The characteristics of this car might fairly be said to give the best of both worlds — vintage when cold, modem when at normal operating temperature. “All engines should have piston slap — at least you know what’s going on” — a vintage driver once told me. Some people might be reassured if they know that the pistons used in this engine come from the same stable as those which have won well over 100 Grands Prix.

WB Blydenstein, Shepreth