Forum Replies Created
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Question from Lennie.
Why would one wish to transform the performance of a standard 2-Litre such as me ?
Isn’t the point of enjoying vintage and PVT cars that a good driver makes the most of our performance while appreciating our design and craftsmanship ?
After all, if my owner had wanted more performance, he would have have bought a faster car, such as a Rapide or one of those ubiquitous Team Car replicas . . . and left me behind in Nigel Warsworth’s garage, to miss out on all those rallies, track days, course car duties, hillclimbs and sprints that have enlivened the last decade.
Cheers !
Lennie the Lagonda
Alan Brown has a recommendation for 2-Litres with low or fluctuating Oil Pressure.
1. Cut a 2 inch square of adhesive Duct Tape.
2. Clean glass on Oil Pressure Gauge.
3. Stick Duct Tape over Oil Pressure Gauge.
The recommendation has served Alan right for over 40 years, so I suppose it’s worth considering !
If you are willing, I think the Hon Editor of the Lagonda Club Magazine should be persuaded to reprint your excellent article, so it reaches a wider audience than this Forum and your own Club Magazine.
It appears you have an ally in our Hon Chairman in this task !
Tim Gresty
Hi, Tim !
How do the Blockleys rate ?
I’ve used Firestones ever since Lenny arrived, and have found them fine, both on the road and on my limited track adventures.
I run at 33 on the road, and 40 on the track.I considered Blockleys (we use them on trials plus other Vintage racers), but thought they were too wide to fit, and fouled the body at the back of the rear wheel arch.
Tim G
Hi, Julian M, Tim W + all !
Now that’s what a good Forum is all about.
Different viewpoints, put positively without rancour, and building up to a worthwhile dialogue from which we can all learn.
There’s truth in all the points made. We 2-Litres can be a bit of a handful in challenging terrain, and a fast, clean gearchange can make all the difference to success or shuddering stop. That’s what happened on Sutton Bank.
I’ve even suffered the dreaded clutch slip as Course Car at Oulton park, due to a carelessly-applied left foot. Amateur drivers !
And when my keeper completes that original engine rebuild, I will be able to judge the effectiveness of those new re-profiled camshafts which Julian supplied so helpfully . . . so I’m not without sin in the originality department !
By the way, if you want a really informative day out, drive or fly over to Antwerp, and get Julian to show you around LMB. My keeper had a wonderful time, and was very impressed.
Cheers to all !
Lenny the Lagonda
I’m with you, Adrian + Oakley.
Why have a superb vintage car such as a 2-litre, and then change the running gear (eg clutch) to make it easier to drive ?
If you want a ‘modern car experience’, go and buy a modern car.
If you want the real reward of owning and driving a vintage car, keep it in its original specification,
and learn how to drive it properly – including handling challenging gear changes, tempremental clutches that demand a carful left foot, braking that demands careful planning, and all the other elements that make driving a real piece of motoring history so special, rather than the ersatz pseudo-satisfaction of using some sort of updated replica.Winning your class at VSCC Prescott + Loton Park (OK, on handicap !), thundering round VSCC circuits as Course Car, enjoying such track days as Anglesey Circuit, or completing the Northern Rally and the 75th Anniversary parade at Le Mans, in a car that is original, is a sheer joy.
To do the same in a car that ‘benefits’ from modern adaptations like new clutches or revised brakes or engine components that never saw the light of day when I was new is to achieve far less.
Lennie the Lagonda
bob wrote: LMB racing proposes a conversion to Land Rover clutch; this can be operated by a 7 years old child.
Of course, not the original, but very effective.I am very concerned re encouraging 7 years olds to drive 2-Litres.
My Keeper is at least 8 times that age, he’s driven me for over 8 years, and he still screws up that awkward gear change with grinding regularity. And he claims he’s a good driver. Humph.
So, please be careful who you encourage to drive us. We get hurt, you know !
Cheers !
Lennie the Lagonda
PS Excellent idea, offering a Land Rover based clutch. But two points :
1. Doesn’t that negate the VSCC Eligibility Form, thus precluding you from competition ?
2. Isn’t the point of having a car like me that you accept the challenges and limitations of old cars, and their weaknesses as well as strengths ?
My keeper is rebuilding my original engine, and has elected to keep the original clutch with new lining.
Perhaps we’ll master Sutton Bank next time, and not just end up in an embarrassing cloud of smoke !
Hi, Patrick !
We had a great time in 2007 – so we’re looking forward to Fougeres 2008 !
Lenny
Congratulations from Lennie the Lagonda (Leonidas – GT 4530 : 2-Litre T2 Low Chassis Tourer) plus keeper.
We discussed your new venture at our Northern Lagonda Factory Christmas Dinner yesterday evening in Oldham. Lagonda Club President David Hine, Lagonda guru Alan Brown, Lagonda afficionados Nigel Hall, Nick Hine, Mark Butterworth, Ken Bailey, Terry Tratalos, Roger Firth plus yours truly wish you good fortune, and plenty of interesting postings.
Tim Gresty