The afterburner switch was optional. According to AOSP (Adrian's Original
Sprite & Midget, All Rights Reserved), it was a $75 factory installed option
for the years 1975-1979. It was actually a type of turbo, and basically it
worked by using the front rubber bumper as a ram, forcing air up the
clothes-dryer-vent-hose and into the heater, where it was installed. The
heater fan double-dutied to give extra oomph, thereby pushing the cars above
130 MPH in some down-hill, down-wind tests, at only 9000 RPM, which the
manufacturer discouraged exceeding. It was only called an afterburner
option because of the fire shooting out the exhaust. The rear rubber bumper
acted as a wing, keeping the Midget safely on the ground at such high
speeds. This setup was inherited from early Triumph tractors, and was
developed by a farmer named Hubert Plowalot.
The ejection seats were also an option, however, the factory recommended to
the budget minded to simply reach up and grab a branch of a tree as you
passed under it. These seats worked by forcing the Zenith-Stromberg carb to
backfire, and the explosion was sent through the afterburner option to give
it extra boost, which vented under the seat, thereby expelling driver and
occupant safely from the car.
For the concourse-minded, the colors of both options were flat black with
chartreuse hilights.
adrian
-----Original Message-----
From Lundy, John D. [mailto:JOHN.D.LUNDY at saic.com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 13, 2000 10:53 AM
To: 'Adrian Barnes'
Cc: 'Spridgets List'; 'Lundy, Ed & Lisa'; 'Lundy, Eric & Eunice';
'Lundy, George & Sandy'; 'Lundy, Joe & Betty'; 'Lundy, Joseph'; 'Lundy,
Rob & Tammy'
Subject: RE: AAA! RE: 1500 for 1275 swap
Hmm. I wonder what mine will do (79 MG Midget). Let's see. So far
I have only driven in town
in anti-collision mode (lights on in daytime, flashing when in doubt
about being seen at an intersection),
and it does 50 downhill at fairly low RPM.
But after I thoroughly check out everything and learn more about
what makes this beast go
(and, most importantly, what to put in the carry-along toolbox) I
will switch over to stealth mode (no lights in daytime)
and see what happens on the highway flat stretch. Where is the
location of the Lucas afterburner switch???
Where are the Leyland ejection seat handles? I'm still looking in
the driver's manual...
Anyone know the terminal velocity spec? Low and quite aerodynamic
(without being ugly), it should be exciting, especially since it
seems to be going 100 when you hit 45, at skateboard and hub cap level at
which you are always seated! But my Uncle Sam cautions that you
CAN get high-centered on a cigarette butt, so no off-roading!
JL
> ********************************
> John Lundy
> Senior Astrodynamics Engineer
> Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC)
> PHONE: (719) 637-8740 x248 FAX: (719) 573-7936
> EMAIL: john.d.lundy@cpmx.saic.com
>
> ********************************
>
> ----------
> From: Adrian Barnes[SMTP:adrian@workgroup.net]
> Sent: Monday, June 12, 2000 4:31 PM
> To: Spridgets (E-mail)
> Subject: AAA! RE: 1500 for 1275 swap
>
> You knew I couldn't hold out much longer... :-)
>
> We all know some people will never admit that there was anything good
> about
> the 1500 engine or rubber bumpers. Other people don't like the 1275
> engine.
> We could debate for months. Since all this is based on opinion, nobody is
> right. The 1500 came from a Triumph...the Midget was more or less a
> rebadged Sprite. Lotus shared some parts with Jag. Mercurys are Fords.
> Acuras are Hondas. MGBGTs aren't convertibles. MG lasted further into
> the
> century than Austin Healey. Why do you drive on a parkway and park on a
> driveway?
>
> I am right there with Larry. I have been paced many times in stock 1500
> midgets going in excess of 90MPH with sub-redline RPMs. I have driven a
> 1500 engine 1100 mile round trips once a month over the course of a year
> going 80-85MPH getting 32 MPG and never even using oil. I have (at a much
> younger age) drag raced V8 Mustangs and beat them off the line. I know my
> speedometers were correct. Frank spun a bearing after 11,000 miles. Sh*t
> happens.
>
> I like Bugeyes. I like Sprites. I like RWA Midgets. I like the CB-non
> RWA
> Midgets. I like RB Midgets. In general, I like LBCs, regardless of what
> other car they share their doorhandles with.
>
> adrian
>
>
>
>
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