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4 wheel disks-Sprite?

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aeronca65t

aeronca65t

Great Pumpkin
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I'm asking this on the "Spridget" forum too, but I sense that some of you guys with the big AHs are more into "Healey history" (so you may have a better idea about my question).

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.....also 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!
 
Hello Aeronca65t,

from my (less than perfect) memory, there were not many fundemental modifications done to brakes on the competition cars of that era apart from using competition pads and linings.
I take your point about heating the drums and there is the possibility that the works cars used aluminium drums to reduce the overall drum temperaure. (Alfin is a brand that comes to mind, finned aluminium drums with a cast iron or steel liner.)

Alec
 
Thank you Alec.

Alas, my memory is failing too....but I keep thinking that I've seen this 4-wheel disk setup on some of the LeMans "works" car. Maybe I'm just being hopeful!

I actually have set of aluminum ("Alfin") drums for my racer, but they warped quickly and are no longer suitable. The same thing happened with a different set of Aflin drums on the front of my old street Mini, so my faith in them is diminished.
Maybe someone will see something in one of those "Healey history" books.
 
The following provides some background but Im not sure how much it will help you.

Peter Browning & Les Needham's book mentions the first Sebring Sprites. These were modified Mk 1s and had 8 1/2" Girling discs on the front but 8" drums on the rear.

According to Browning & Needham the works Lemans Coupe cars apparently had 8 1/2" Locheed discs on the front but again had 8" drums on the rear.

In 1960 a Sprite ran at Le Mans with a special body made by a company called Falcon. This car was prepared by Jeff Healey and Roger Mendaue and was fitted with Dunlop disc brakes ON ALL FOUR WHEELS!

Bill Emerson's book has photos of a 1961 LeMans Coupe which he says was fitted with with Girling front discs and Dunlop rear discs.

Another avenue is to try to obtain the full options list available from the Donald Healey Motor Company. This provided many more options than BMC and in the case of the 100-Sixs four wheel disc brakes were available. Maybe they were also available as a Sprite option.

Good luck... we can't let those Mazdas beat you!!!
 
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