Yeah, that Buick aluminum V8 seemed to be very popular with the British
and was used extensively in various types of race cars "way back when".
Reid
'79 Spitfire
Subject: Historical V8 information request
Author: "Andrew R. Lindberg" [SMTP:andylindberg@earthlink.net] at MSXGATE
Date: 3/16/99 9:06 AM
In Michael Cook's 1981 book, "The Triumph Spitfire" (from his chapter on the
GT6), he writes:
"One day at British Leyland's offices, several unbelieving members of the
technical, competition and public relations staff were treated to a ride in
a GT-6-plus which had received the swap treatment. Resting neatly under the
hood was a stock Buick aluminum V-8, coupled to a Borg-Warner four-speed
transmission. Twin electric fans were mounted for cooling but the radiator
was stock and no special alterations had to be made for the V-8 to fit.
"Shifting had to be slow and careful as the stock rear end and suspension
were used but the car was a rocket on acceleration at any speed and handled
better as the V-8 was lighter than the normal six."
I've never found any other reference to this factory conversion.
Does anybody out there have any more info on it? Dare I hope that some of
the lists' English correspondents witnessed its outing also?
Do any pictures, specs or more details still exist?
-- Andy Lindberg (wishing, dreaming, and plotting about my 1970 GT6)
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