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Author Topic: Powerdrive - how many are left  (Read 7387 times)

richard

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Powerdrive - how many are left
« on: November 04, 2013, 10:01:36 PM »
how many of these are on the RUM Register ?
« Last Edit: November 04, 2013, 10:03:07 PM by richard »
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Grant Kearney

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Re: Powerdrive - how many are left
« Reply #1 on: November 04, 2013, 11:11:59 PM »
There are thought to be five survivors but two of these are beyond restoration.  There was one that made a brief appearance at last years NMCR.  Have not had mine out for 10 years so really should put it on the road again soon.  Despite its great looks its truly awful   :D
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marcus

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Re: Powerdrive - how many are left
« Reply #2 on: November 05, 2013, 07:39:01 AM »
I thought there were only two in any state. I have always heard that they are badly under-powered, but is there anything else about them which makes you say "truly awful"? Just curious!
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Barry

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Re: Powerdrive - how many are left
« Reply #3 on: November 05, 2013, 08:19:49 AM »
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marcus

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Re: Powerdrive - how many are left
« Reply #4 on: November 05, 2013, 08:33:34 AM »
Cheers Barry!
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Rusty Chrome (Malcolm Parker)

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Re: Powerdrive - how many are left
« Reply #5 on: November 05, 2013, 07:35:15 PM »
Shame I missed last years NMCR so didn't get to see the one there, be great to see one in the flesh. I guess the engine wasn't powerful enough, the chassis wasn't stiff enough and there were problems with the design of the rear suspension. Does that about sum it up? The weight couldn't have been much more than a Bond Mk G Estate.
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richard

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Re: Powerdrive - how many are left
« Reply #6 on: November 05, 2013, 07:54:42 PM »
a very heavy chassis that i imagine was very rigid all adding up to a total of  7 1/2 cwt
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marcus

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Re: Powerdrive - how many are left
« Reply #7 on: November 05, 2013, 08:26:54 PM »
Cheers, as I thought! Were there any other flaws, like handling, steering, braking etc.?
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richard

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Re: Powerdrive - how many are left
« Reply #8 on: November 05, 2013, 08:37:08 PM »
factory leaflet
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outside of a dog a book is mans best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read .Groucho Marx 1895-1977

marcus

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Re: Powerdrive - how many are left
« Reply #9 on: November 05, 2013, 09:09:41 PM »
That chassis certainly does look heavy!
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Grant Kearney

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Re: Powerdrive - how many are left
« Reply #10 on: November 05, 2013, 10:05:31 PM »
The chassis is over engineered and very heavy.  Front suspension and steering are borrowed from a Standard 8 which adds to the weight problem.  The rear suspension and drive train is very complicated  with a fabricated horse shoe linking both sides of the forks which hold the rear wheel in place.
Three adults fit on the bench seat with all the power to move them and the above coming from a 322cc Anzani twin which is located in the boot with little or no cooling.  The Anzani engine seemed to have serious development and reliability issues when launched which also adds to the problems of the Powerdrive. 

That said, its a very stylish car with a beautiful hand formed aluminium body.  The brakes are brilliant and handling is acceptable once you get it moving.  Acceleration is non existent  ;D
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wilksie

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Re: Powerdrive - how many are left
« Reply #11 on: November 05, 2013, 10:10:22 PM »
What about the Coronet - how many are left?
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Garybond

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Re: Powerdrive - how many are left
« Reply #12 on: November 05, 2013, 10:50:48 PM »
How many were made
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richard

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Re: Powerdrive - how many are left
« Reply #13 on: November 06, 2013, 06:35:38 AM »
Easily worked out . Use the Peel formula - 5 left therefore 4 made   ;D
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g-o-g-g-o

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Re: Powerdrive - how many are left
« Reply #14 on: November 06, 2013, 02:22:09 PM »
According to glasses guide there were 360 made between 1955 - 1957 only 5 exist ???
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