sounds right. I remember a licensing HP in Illinois (USA) which was based
on some low horsepower calculation.
----------
> From: Mike Marr <mmarr@execpc.com>
> To: David Rupert <75701.242@CompuServe.COM>
> Cc: Triumph Newsletter <triumphs@autox.team.net>
> Subject: Re: What the @#$& is hp?
> Date: Friday, October 04, 1996 1:09 PM
>
> On 4 Oct 1996, David Rupert wrote:
>
> > Scions,
> >
> > Since we are discussing strange measurement systems, I have one that
has bugged
> > me for years. I recently saw it crop up again in my latest issue of
Classic &
> > Sportcar, with regard to the early Triumph Glorias and the Southern
Cross. What
> > the heck is hp? One of the cars in the article was described as, "A
10.5 hp
> > model featuring a 48 bhp engine", or something to that effect. I'm
assuming
> > that it is NOT some arcane method of measuring horsepower. My first
wild guess
> > is that it has something to do with weight. Could someone from across
the pond
> > educate a confused American?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > David Rupert
> > 75701.242@compuserve.com
> > 1967 TR4A (rigid axle)
> > 1980 TR7 convertible
> > Waterford, Michigan USA
> >
> "hp" stands for horsepower, a calculated value that was used to
> determine the tax paid by the vehicle owner in order for him to operate
> it on a public road. The claculation included engine capacity as a
> variable, and most engines of less than 1 litre (approx) were 8 hp
> engines, 1.2 litre (approx) were 10 hp, etc etc. It had nothing to do
> with brake horsepower. Those of us who are Triumph fans are aware of
> the Standard 8 - it had an 8 horsepower engine by this method of
> classification. The tax categories went away in the 1950's, I believe.
> Also, I think this was sometimes referred to as "RAC horsepower",
> because the formula was developed by the Royal Automobile Club. This
> last part is a little fuzzy, however.
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