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A Question of Numbers
Talking to Patrick Head, the designer of the Frank Williams team cars, he queried why the specialist motor magazines insisted on quoting the chassis numbers of his cars with two…
• * * AN ALVIS MATTER.
Sir,
I have read with interest the letter regarding the supposed performance of the Alvis I used to own, AXX 385, the one you described in “Busman’s Holiday.” For the record the following facts may be of interest :
Tyres : Standard Dunlop 5.500 by 19; rear axle ratio : 4.5 : 1 ; 3rd gear ratio : 1.48: 1 ; Dunlop figures for revs./mile on standard 5.50 by 19 tyres, (179; 1,000 engine r.p.m. = 19.6 m.p.h. in top ; 1,009 engine r.p.m. = 13.7 m.p.h. in 3rd.
Of perhaps further interest might be the fact that you witnessed 5,200 r.p.m. on the rev. (counter in third when the car was demonstrated—which gives” over 70 m.p.h.,” ” which after all is all you said in your write up.” I am Yours, etc.,
Ruislip. W. H. J. Kay-Salm. * * *