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4 Wheel disk brakes?

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aeronca65t

aeronca65t

Great Pumpkin
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OK, I'm looking for any info you guys may have on Sprite or Midget factory ("works") racers with 4 wheel disk brakes.
I *know* I can buy modern rear disks for these cars (from Frontline, Winner's Circle, etc.), but I am looking to document the fact that they were fitted to any works BL or BMC Spridget racecars.
The reason I'm asking is because our club is having a competion rules review meeting soon. This is where we try to get certain rules changed in the various classes. If I can show the club that there were any Spridgets that came with 4 wheel disk from the factory (even racers), I may be able to run rear disks on my car.
Even if you can point me in a direction, that would be helpful.
Since I run mostly enduros, my little coffee-can drums are almost on fire after about an hour or so.....and I'm tired of having Miatas pull in front of me just before a turn and then standing on the brakes. It forces me to "keep back" too much.
Thanks!
 
This seems like a good question for the mgcars.org.uk spridget list. If you can't get an answer here, then you might get some help there. But, I suspect the answer is "never such a thing".
 
I don't know if they should be considered "Factory", but a July 1965 "Road & Track" article on a Sebring Sprite Prototype said it had "Lockheed disc brakes of 7-in diameter are fitted to the car all round and the disc pads use Mintex lining material". Similarly, the September 20005 "Vintage Racecar" article on a '66 LeMans Sprite Prototype lists the foot brakes as "Four-wheel Girling single-pot disks (dual circuit)"
 
As far back as 1959 there was a factory option for four wheel disc. It was set up with wire wheels. The brakes were indeed Lockeed. They were even allowed in the SCCA in 60. The LeMans/Sebring sprites have four wheel Girling disc with a dual Girling master cylinder/balance bar set-up. The last Sebring/prototype sprite raced in the 1970 Daytona and Sebring.(first in class) It was driven by Janet Guthrie and an all girl team for Ring Free Oil Company. (now known as Redline Oil Company) Top Speed of over 150 mph.
 
At one time, long ago, I had a pair of Lockeed bugeye disk rear brakes, never installed them but for $5 I could not turn them down. They came out of an Austin mechanics tool box and I was told they were a factory item. If my memory serves they were for the steel wheels, at least I don't remember anything special about them so you could attach a knock of wheel. But it has been a long time.

Jolly what can you tell us about the engines in those cars that allowed 150 mph.
 
Wasn't there an article in Classic Motorsports on those cars driven by that all-female team? Let me check.

Ah yes...November 2003, Issue 105. Well, I just re-read the article and there isn't anything in there about 4 wheel disk brakes. However, the engines were 1293cc fuel injected units that ran the cars at a top speed close to 135mph and an average lap speed of 3 min 30 sec on a 5.2 mile course.

The article says that approximately 10 "Le Mans Sprites" were made between 1965 and 1968 by the Donald Healey Motor Company.
 
Good luck, Nial.
At one point, Healey actually built a Bugeye with a Coventry Climax in it. I asked if I could race one set up like that and was told "Yes, if you can prove it's the one the factory built."
So much for that idea!
Jeff
 
The 4 wheel disc was a option on bugeyes, I am not sure it moved to the MKII. I have a 1960 SCCA rule book. It shows an allowance for disc brakes. At one time I had a more complete 1959 rule book that actually listed the part#s for the factory brakes. Sooo, if you are racing a bugeye there is something in writing somewhere.
As far as the 135 mph noted in the article, the cars were fully able to do 150. The same car was clocked at 150 plus in the 68 LeMan. I have not driven the car that fast but given the weight and aero body it should have not problem.
I have spoken to the previous drivers and owners of the cars. All will tell you 150 or there abouts, down the long straights.
 
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