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Post by professorq29 on Aug 26, 2011 11:00:07 GMT 10
Hi all, I am looking at a car to tow our new 1957 Don Cadet 14ft. She weighs about 1000 kgs. The car is a six cylinder, 2.5 litre (a bit bigger than the holden of its time), but has a pre-selector gearbox. I am wondering if this might cause problems with hillstarts, for one, as sliping the "clutch" doesn't seem an option. Any experience anyone?
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Post by Don Ricardo on Aug 26, 2011 23:59:44 GMT 10
Hi Professorq29, Depending on what the vehicle is and when it was built (and by whom) the following thread which lists the towing capacity of various British cars may be useful - click here. Don Ricardo |
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Post by richard on Aug 27, 2011 0:07:20 GMT 10
What's the exact car/gearbox? Most non-racing pre-selectors included a torque converter, so you'd be fine. Daimler and Armstrong/Sidley used Wilson gearboxes generally with a "fluid flywheel" (torque converter). The de Normaville boxes also often had a torque converter. Daimler 18/2.5 litre/Consort had a 2.5 litre and a Wilson pre-slector (with a fluid flywheel, so it should be able to tow fine). Armstrong Siddeley Lancaster and Whiteley 18 had a 2.3 litre & a pre-selector I'm guessing the Daimler.  |
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Post by professorq29 on Aug 28, 2011 7:55:50 GMT 10
Right on the money, Daimler DB 18. Have had a rethink though. Might just stick with something I can get seat belts fitted to. It doesn't look like it would be possible as the B pillar is about 1" wide  . And its only 1000 km away so is a bit hard to look at! |
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Post by richard on Aug 28, 2011 17:02:09 GMT 10
I fitted seat-belts to my Mk VII Jag, which has similar sized B-pillars. If you're in a 1940's / 1950's car and you hit something hard enough that the seat belt anchor pulls out of the B-pillar... that's going to be the least of your problems. You'll also have the engine on your lap. These old chassis based cars are simply not safe if you have a crash into something solid. No crumple zones, no safety engineering. Fit seat belts - they will help in a low-speed crash as they'll stop you hitting the dash or the wheel (as a driver), which can easily be enough to save your life. But don't worry about hitting something hard enough to pull the anchors out of the B-pillar... www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHp1GAFQztoSeat belt would not have helped the '59 Chev driver when the steering wheel goes through his head and his own front wheel goes through his pelvis.... |
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. And its only 1000 km away so is a bit hard to look at!