VEV Miscellany, February 1986
Mic Comber is hoping that some gaps in the history of the 1500 Super Sports Alta Romeo, which he has owned for the past 23 years, can be filled in…
• * * AN ALVIS MATTER.
Sir,
I have read with interest the letter regarding the supposed performance of the Alvis I used to own, AXX 385, the one you described in “Busman’s Holiday.” For the record the following facts may be of interest :
Tyres : Standard Dunlop 5.500 by 19; rear axle ratio : 4.5 : 1 ; 3rd gear ratio : 1.48: 1 ; Dunlop figures for revs./mile on standard 5.50 by 19 tyres, (179; 1,000 engine r.p.m. = 19.6 m.p.h. in top ; 1,009 engine r.p.m. = 13.7 m.p.h. in 3rd.
Of perhaps further interest might be the fact that you witnessed 5,200 r.p.m. on the rev. (counter in third when the car was demonstrated—which gives” over 70 m.p.h.,” ” which after all is all you said in your write up.” I am Yours, etc.,
Ruislip. W. H. J. Kay-Salm. * * *