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Hello all. I’m a new member, currently looking to buy a 2 Litre Speed Model Tourer. Are there any particular problems that are worth looking out for? I’ve always regarded them as being pretty robust, but it’s always worth checking with other owners.
Hi Robert,
100 year old cars tend to have problems. Cooling seems to be a big one. I was driving my 1927 14/60 in a lively manner in hot weather a couple of years ago and it overheated.
The damage was confined to no4 piston and I gather that I am not the first to experience this. If the engine has sat for long periods of time chalk and silt build up in the water jacket and the small copper tube which is supposed to encourage coolant to flow past no 4 gets a reduced flow. It’s all very fixable but taking endless time to complete due to other issues.
Something else to look out for is the Magneto. They were fitted with a variety of magneto makes. You need to check that the magneto fittted is big enough for the car (mine had one from an Austuin 7!) AND that it is presently in good working order. Magneto re-conditioners are variable. Make sure anyone you use has a good recent reputatiuon.
Finally carburettors. I have a good pair of 1930’s SU HVs but I have seen a number of different types in use and none of the others seem as readily adjustable and efficient as an SU. Beware pre war SU numbering is diffgerent to post war.
I hope I havent put you oiff.
Happy hunting
Graham
Thanks Graham
That is helpful information. Interestingly, one of the cars I’ve looked at had lost it’s magneto in favour of a coil and distributor. It looked to be an earlier coil / mag set up where the coil ignition would be used for starting – but in that particular case, much of the magneto workings were missing.
The hunt continues…
Rob
I have found Alan Fairbrother fairbrother500@gmail.com to be incredibly knowledgeable on Magnetos. He is semi retired now – based in the southampton area – but the best as far as I know
My car before I found the second Carb.
Graham
I think key above everything else is to make sure that the engine is in good order unless its advertised as needing attention. I am aware of more than one 2 litre owner who has had to rebuild their engine within 2 years of ownership. A possible problem these days is that an engine rebuild isnt cheap, particularly compared to the cost of the car nowadays, so if there are problems, some may find it easier to sell the car. So you would need to be looking closely at the engine maintenance history, listening, checking the oil pressure, compression testing etc. Ideally if the engine oil is used I would be taking a sample and getting it tested at Motor Spirit, Millers Oils etc (unless the vendor has already done so)….. this might take a few days but the results should be useful.
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