>> As I understand, for years, their work vehicles for such
>> testing were 3.0 liter Porsche-equipped VW buses with rather large air
>> conditioning systems, which reportedly would cruise at 100 mph, and
>> still didn't keep up too well with the test cars. I get the willies
>> thinking about driving one of the pre-Vanagon buses at 100 mph anywhere,
>> let alone African roads.... (!)
>
>What about the Standard Atlas van and Pennant Companion, both loaded to the
>proverbial gills, trying to keep up with the prototype Herald saloon and
>coupe' as they ran their "Turn Left for Tangiers" proving run, circa 1958?
>Considering that all four vehicles were running with some variety of the
>mighty 948cc "SC" engine, some with as much as 45-50 hp (!), all carrying
>hundreds of pounds just of water and fuel in addition to other supplies. And
>no air conditioning (just plenty of tea)!
>
>- --Andy
>
>Andrew Mace, in my weekend e-mail guise!
I was reading about this trip in an old Triumph World this weekend. The bit
that amazed me
was that they had to strip out most of the tools, spares, etc to make way for
water and
petrol for the stretch across the sahara. The leader of the trip commented
that although
they didn't come close to losing anyone, they encountered plenty of situations
that a group
engineers from Britain just weren't prepared for. Sounds like a massive
understatement to
me!
Cheers
Tadd
1963 Herald Coupé (slowly transforming into pieces)
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