Tipton Topics

Latest News from The Tipton Garage

(…plus news of our clients: instead of what we have to say about ourselves, see what some of our clients say about us ...)

A group of members of the Devon Lotus Owners Club visited Tipton Garage recently for an interesting exercise to compare the outputs of their Lotus Elises. This was made all the more interesting as three of the cars were the '160' model, a modified model and another in standard form.

Each car was put on the rolling road and its output measured as it was run up to full power at more than 7000 rpm. The results were immediately plotted by the computer and each owner was presented with a graph of output in terms of both torque and horsepower. Other data including inlet air temperature and exhaust gases was also taken - more than anything to ensure that there were no major variances which could have led to widely different results. For the same reason each car underwent two runs on the dynamometer.

Life than became most interesting when the overall results were compared in one composite graph showing a trace of each cars output throughout the entire rev range. This was a prime example of the value of dynamometer testing for it could quickly be seen that whilst the '160' models accurately lived up to their titles for their power output, the full power was delivered at the top of the rev range. The 'standard' car was on parr until the '160' really got to the higher revs. However, it could immediately be seen that the modified 'standard' model (improved camshafts, exhaust manifolding & engine management system) delivered more torque and power at lower revs, making it an infinitely easier car to drive on the road.

The other owners were happy though, for they used their cars' full potential on track days for which they must have been ideal and one of the quickest cars available.

The group all felt that their objectives had been well achieved. They particularly appreciated the long and detailed discussion with Stephen Miles after he had conducted the test runs. This was of particular value thanks not only to Stephen's experience in working with the dynamometer, but also because he has considerable knowledge of the 'K' series engine which powers the nimble little Lotus Elise.

Stewart Imber raced in a number of different categories of motorsport before settling for classic saloon car racing, stirring memories of the epic dices in the sixties with Jaguars and Ford Galaxies mixing it with Lotus Cortinas and cheeky little Minis.
But Stewart would not go for something as straightforward as a just another Mini or whatever ... he chose a Mercedes 300 SE saloon as raced in the golden days by the likes of Eugene Bohringer.
The three litre straight six engine was far from simple to prepare and several thought provoking solutions had to be soundly engineered to handle the power produced reliably and without a weight disadvantage - the car is big enough already!
" I race purely for enjoyment and this is helped by working with the Tipton Team - they are a great bunch. They are very dedicated to getting it right for their clients but although it is deadly serious when it has to be, I can tell you we have had some good laughs."
"As I hope you might have noticed, I always strive to have my cars nicely turned out. It is good to have even this respected when the car has been with them. In addition, when I have wanted some extra jobs done in parallel - such as having carpets made - they have recommended a local provider & arranged it all. As with all their work, the results are great."
Stewart and the Mercedes now have numerous good finishes to its credit in rounds of the Top Hat series of Historic One Hour Endurance races at UK and European circuits as well as several appearances at the Goodwood Circuit Revival meeting. In the last he finished a notable seventh behind the battling Lotus Cortinas and Jaguars led by Gerry Marshall.

There is a lot of motoring history wrapped up in Clive Harrington's Sunbeam Harrington Alpine. With unique bodywork created under his father's guidance at his family's coachbuilding business this humble little 1600 c.c. car averaged an amazing 91 mph to win the second most valuable prize in the 1961 Le Mans 24 hour race - probably the Sunbeam marque's last great track success.
"I didn't bargain on it taking 26 years to restore this car - and it would have taken much longer if it hadn't been for the Tipton team.
What is really incredible is how, when we did bring her out it was straight on to the track, we were second first time out. This speaks volumes for their ability to set up 'traditional' cars - she was right straight out of the box."
Having now raced at Angouleme, Brands Hatch, Donington, Goodwood and Snetterton and with more races ahead - including some on the continent - further work remains to be done. "We are still running a virtually standard head and cam. We need them to be nearer the original race spec. If anyone can achieve that it will be Richard Miles, not only because he and Stephen are highly skilled at such work but because Richard has an unfair advantage since he prepared the engines for the works cars the year after my car's success. How's that for experience!"

On track with Tipton

Several of our customers' cars are to be seen on the track, at track days, at local
motorsports events right through to the prestigous Goodwood Circuit Revival meeting and Continental historic races. These include Stewart Imber's Mercedes 300 SE saloon and Clive Harrington's ex works Sunbeam Harrington Alpine mentioned above, as well as the Fiesta 1800c.c. which, prepared & driven by Stephen Miles, regularly scored podium finishes in rounds of the Toyo Tyres championship.

Watch this space to keep informed about when and where they are next appearing.