Martin, (and other Spitfire owners),
Have you read the current issue of "Flight Journal?" There is an interesting
article in there about the WWII British Fighter planes of the same name as
your car. Very interesting. The author flew one of the earlier Rolls-Royce
engined planes, and then one of the later planes with the larger Griffon
engines. Comparing the latter with the earlier, he has this to say:
"While the [Rolls-Royce] Merlin engine versions run very smoothly, the larger
Griffon-powered machines feel as if they are angry. The sounds from the stacks
and the vibration transferred to the seat of the pants communicate visceral
power - almost a desire to go kill something. Any high-performance-car
enthusiast would enjoy this sensation of unbridled power, this impatience to
be turned loose to hunt."
>From this, I'd say it's not only OK to drop a large engine into the Spitfire
(car), but doing so is in keeping with an old and honorable tradition. It
almost seems as if you "ought" to do it!
BTW, Dave's e-mail address is: 105671.471@compuserve.com I'm sure Dave has
already sent it to you by now, but just in case....
Dan Masters,
Alcoa, TN
'71 TR6---------Currently being "Griffonized"
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