Tom Buchanan wrote:
>
> Would those of you out there who own both a roadster and a GT please
> discuss the differences and similarities in their handling?
Well, I was just about ready to launch my latest missive on the praises
of my Osborn running CPM++ when I came across your plea. I can save my
digital dissertation for later. As having owned examples of all of MG's
sporting roadsters and the current caretaker of a GT, I thought I might
be able to enlighten you.
1.) The rear suspension of the GT is vastly superior to the roadster.
This is indisputable. The most obvious proof being that you never hear
anyone upgrading their GT with roadster springs.
2.) To use drag racing jargon, your 60 foot reaction times are always
better in a GT. In a roadster, you lurch from a stop from the startling
horn blast of the beehive-piloted minivan behind you. The GT, with its 4
inch higher windscreen, provides an unobstructed view of the signal
light.
3.) The GT provides a much more sporting posture. With the window down
you can lock your left arm in the window opening as you negotiate
complex handling maneuvers with your right. In a roadster, only the
death grip on the steering wheel prevents you from teetering over into
the passenger area. This explains the early demise of the banjo-style
flimsy steering wheels of the era.
4.) Another area of handling prowess is that the GT is much easier to
push as the large glass area of the hatch provides a firm handhold. Rear
defrost equipped cars also act as hand warmers for the SO during times
of inclement weather.
5.) The GT has much better weight distribution than the roadster. With
proper planning, the amount of road gear thrown in the rear can be used
to shift the suspension loading during aggressive handling maneuvers.
This is not possible with the rather limited and confining boot of the
roadster.
6.) There has been some criticism of the higher center of gravity caused
by the metal roof line but this is countered with the increased
structural integrity. Besides, the center of gravity is easily lowered
with the addition of a Webesco-style period sunroof.
7.) The GT is much easier to maintain level heading when driving into
strong quartering winds. Merely opening the swing-out side glass on the
leeward side brings the heading back to straight. This is advantageous
even in calm weather in correcting minor alignment problems.
8.) There are instances where piloting a GT can be much more exciting
than a roadster. For instance, there is nothing quite as exciting as
diving into a series of switch backs when you are hauling a
regulation-size, 24-quart, ice-filled, beverage cooler. On your first
turn-in under braking, the violent expulsion of high-density aluminum
cans bouncing off the headliner and ricocheting off the dash combing is
something that must be experienced to truly appreciate. The near-frozen
projectiles can often make it all the way into the windshield before
being pierced and repelled. The more prevalent but much slower moving
ice cubes generally never make it out of your lap.
9.) The inferior wind sealing and general draftiness of the roadster is
a great disadvantage when troubleshooting driveline maladies. The GT
provides a relatively stable cockpit which provides for aural as well as
sensual wafting of sounds and odors passed through the missing grommet
holes in the firewall.
10.) All other differences in handling between the GT and roadster are
minor.
Now if you will excuse me, I need to flip over the Neal Sadaka tape in
the clock radio.
Bob Allen, Kansas City, 69CGT, 75TR6, 60Elva
Geek ROTFL: "Two atoms are walking down the street and they run in to
each other. One says to the other, Are you all right? No, I lost an
electron. Are you sure? Yeah, I'm positive."
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