Solo, so near yet so far
Pierre Levegh drove this Talbot-Lago for 23 hours at Le Mans in '52 and almost won. Richard Hese!tine relates a heroic drive His wasted efforts highlighted the glamour gulf between…
A NEW H.R.G. MODEL
A new H.R.G. model is announced. It is based on the well known 11-litre Meadows-engined job, but is specially adapted for sports-car racing. The engine has raised compression-ratio, external oilcooler, external oil filter, and a modified water-pump. The fuel tank is of considerable capacity and there is dual independent electric fuel feed. The tank has twin quick-action filler caps. The radiator has a quick-action cap, front axle and steering gear are polished to facilitate inspection, and every chassis nut is either pinned, locked or wired. Duplicate lighting cables and separate fuses andswitches are provided and the filler-caps have provision for he .Mans seals. A special 1M.ttery is used. The headlamps have stone-uards and there is a folding wire-gauze screen before the two aero screens. The body is a light two-seater to A.I.requirements with a decent racing tail. We are glad to note this tail treatment, for at speeds over 80 m.p.h. (we timed the H.R.G. we roadtested last June to do 88 m.p,h. over the half-mile) streamlining begins to ntatter and the current flat-tanks pandy to the slime-storming fraternity who demand somewhere to sling twin comp. shod spare tyres. A spare wheel, Or wheels, can be accommodated in the new a position obviating Overhang. ‘ Light’ close-up wings are fitted and equipnient, hicludes special tool kit, twin bonnet straps, and I,e Mans lap scorer. The gear-ratios are 4, 5.36, 7.4 and 11.8. to 1, against 4, 5.56, 9.2 and 14.88 to 1 ‘of the
other model. This new model costs ,.1.,535 and should comfortably better 90 m.p.h. A closed H.R.G. is on the stocks and for all models the old two-position handbrake has been discarded in favour of a fly-off push-button racing-type lever. Full details from : H.R.G. Eng. Co., Oakcroft Road, Kingston By-Pass, Tolworth, Surrey (Elmbridge 4489).