Date: Fri, 15 Nov 2002 14:30:07 -0800
Reply-To: Randy Bergum <organslave@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Randy Bergum <organslave@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Re: VW vs Rolls
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The original rubber cones designed by Moulton were a good solution to the
*load* variations of having a tiny little car accomodate one small adult to
4 strapping soccer players with luggage on the roof. The cones are
extremely progressive, and too much so if you regularly drive with only one
or two people. There is available today a coil spring replacement
suspension that apparently handles so well that if you use one in an
autocross, they add points to your handicap (like better brakes or a bigger
engine).
Don't ask me how I know this......
Randy Bergum
1990 Carat
1967 Cooper S
> [Original Message]
> From: Clive Smith <clive.harman-smith@NTLWORLD.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Date: 11/15/2002 12:56:06 PM
> Subject: Re: VW vs Rolls
>
> Shocking lot, aren't we!
>
> ... and Cooper S's of '67, '68 Monte Carlo Rally winning vintage were all
> 'dry' to my knowledge, a good 140 lbs lighter than the 'wet' hydroelastic*
> ones - though Paddy was quite amazed when first driving a 'wet' Cooper
'S' -
> brilliant on ice apparently. But with 8" (!!) alloys and hydroelastic
> suspension - little chance of avoiding that warthog!
>
> The Monte Carlo winning Cooper S's were red with a white roof, weren't
they,
> not BRG? ... and we are talking 1275 'S' in contradistinction to the later
> 9- stud 1275GT iron crank Mini Clubman, a dog if ever there was one,
aren't
> we?
>
> Clive
> * Mr ('dry suspension cone' and 'hydroelastic') Moulton now designs
> high-tech hand-built folding bicycles of exceptional quality from his
> inherited country pile I believe. They're much sought after by cycling
> enthusiasts the world over and by 'collectors' of modern technology. He's
> now 80 something and when his university days were interrupted by WWII,
> became a 'man from the ministry', seconded to the Bristol Engine Co. to
> assist Roy Fedden, sleeve-valve guru - after a bomb hit their drawing
office
> and killed several 'key' staff - he went back to Uni after the war and
> continued his study - but changed its discipline. He became a cause
celebre
> and another Great British commerical tragedy, when his Moulton folding
> bicycle design was 'stolen' (by Raleigh amongst others) - I think his
> philosphy now is '...never grow your business so large that the 'big boys'
> even know you exist, let alone want to steal your dreams or buy you out' -
> quite a contrast to what most entrepreneurs are aiming at today!
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "pensioner" <al_knoll@PACBELL.NET>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Friday, November 15, 2002 6:50 PM
> Subject: Re: VW vs Rolls
>
>
> > The Hon. Winston Ponsonby-Smythe and his wife is touring the
Transvaal...
> >
> > G. Nashly Cogswell is also in country in his Paddy Hopkirk Rallye Monte
> > Carlo Mini Cooper 1275S on his way to RSA to pick up the last of the
Kombi
> > syncro 5cyl TDIs and some spares for his Spagthorpe Whippet. As he
> > approaches a walled alleyway a dandy liveried Rolls rudely pulls out
just
> in
> > front of his turn. Luckily the hydroelastic suspension and 8" wide
> minilites
> > allowed him to take evasive action in time to avoid wrinkling the
> paintwork
> > on the bonnet. From the lofty cabin of the rolls a portly matron scowls
> > "pig!".
> >
> > Cogswell flashes his most significant digit, screams back "SOW!", and
WFO
> > drifts around the corner scattering gravel with the deafening snarl of
the
> > 1275 at full chat...directly into the side of the largest warthog on
> record
> > in the region.
> >
> > Wife looks at Winston and mutters.
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