Looking for a test partner (South East)

[berni29]

Hi There

I was wondering if another standard 4sp +2 owner in the South East (I am in Beckenham) fancies doing a performance comparison between their car and mine. The idea is that at a quiet time, in a responsible and adult manner, on a deserted bit of dual carriageway, we would (from a side by side rolling start) do a first to 70mph test.

I am curious to know if my cars performance is sub par or not. I remember my pervious +2 being faster, but it was a 68 car and therefore lighter than my +2s and also I do not think the engine was standard in that car.

All the best

Berni

[1964 S1]

What the heck???? No one has responded in five days??? I'd jump at the chance to drag race another plus two but I'm in the states.... I can offer several quarter mile dragstrip times on my stock Stromberged 69 model +2, not screaming fast but very healthy.

[berni29]

Hi There

I know I cannot believe it. I am going to do a rolling start (ie at idle in 1st) by myself to 60 and then 70mph using the satnav and a stopwatch. I have one that does split times, so one click at 60, and then one at 70. I can do a few runs and come up with a figure. I think it would probably be safer with someonone helping me. Maybe I will get my 12yr old to help and save on weight! Then perhaps we can do an international compare?

All the best

Berni

[Stuart+2]

Hey 1964 S1

Love to see those quarter mile times of your +2!

Cheers

[RobCapper]

yup, you can count me in! I'm in Cheltenham, although I'm sure we can arrange something at some point! I've often wondered about the performance of my +2 as well, and as it's the only 'historic' car I've ever driven, have no concept of where it stands in the performance stakes.. The gearbox lets it down a bit, as I feel I'm loosing a bit of 'oomph' until I get to 3rd, (testimony to my losing a drag race off the lights to a boy'd up saxo...) it's a +130s, gets driven everyday, and will comforably keep up with most things, and tops out at about 120 so I've heard..

[1964 S1]

I've dug in my archives and found dragstrip timesheets, they look like grocery store receipts. Our local British car club USED to hold their annual event at Edgewater Dragstrip and for twenty bucks you could run all day, as many cars as you like! Over the course of 5 years I dragged (drug?) three Lotuses, a Peugeot Turbo, a BM w 635 and I can't remember what else.
My 69 S4 with Webers (since sold on eBay to Belgium) was the quickest at 1/4 mile in 15.594 seconds running 87.36 MPH, it did an 1/8 mile in 9.987sec. at 70.66 mph.
I flogged my Stromberged +2 (with used rotoflexes I'd bought from Texas) in 2001 to a 1/4 mile best of 17.533 and 79.03 MPH, 1/8 times were 11.311 sec and 62.77 MPH. 1000 feet in 14.676 sec.
The little 64 S1 did 1/4 mile in 15.75 and 85+MPH.
Please bear in mind the +2 times more than the others reflect a conservative drag racing mentality. All these times could be a second or even two quicker but I wasn't trying to prove anything in my middle to old age. Especially the +2, I KNEW the rotoflexes were old and a little cracked so my launches were timely but cautious, I got beat by a woman in a Miata!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Once. All times are from a standing start.
Longer story short, I think you'll find your car is capable of acceleration times very similar to those in the old road tests when our cars were new. My S4 beat several old road tests.... I loved that 'cuz I knew it had somthing left, I didn't run any of them to their quickest capabilities.

[tdafforn]

Berni,
Count me in when I have my engine back in the car! although, again it'll have to be at a "halfway house" site (I'm in the W. Mids).
Cheers
Tim

[crofty]

Hi Berni


Sorry for not responding earlier - busy with work, and only just checked the forum...

Anyway, if you're still looking for someone to compare your car with, I'd be happy to get involved. I have no idea what my car's performance is, relative to what it was meant to do out of the box. I've never tried to check the perfomance, but I do know I'm getting about 15mpg at the moment, using the car as a builder's van in and around Dulwich. I can confirm that it will easily hold three 25kg bags of plaster in the boot, and 2.4m lengths of timber can be carried if i open the sunroof...

If you remember (cos you came to see it a few years ago), it is a standard (yep, even down to the 80 section tyres), 4 speed Plus 2 S, year 70/71.

Let me know when/where you want to do it - I'm sure we can get something organised.

Cheers

David
(Dulwich)

PS can I cheat and take the carpets out for added lightness?

[RobCapper]

just a thought - but why don't we sort something out at, or around, the castle combe day? It's always a good turnout, and if the dun is shining, there's nothing better than watching the elise crowd make a hash of the final corner...

normally a few interesting cars there too - I seem to remember a very tired looking 6 last year?

[Matt]

If your doing it at Castle Combe count me in

I know a good few +2's going this year so it does sound ideal

Matt