Path: utzoo!utgpu!alliant.com!UUCP Reply-To: british-cars@alliant.com Errors-To: british-cars-request@alliant.com Sender: british-cars-request@alliant.com Return-Path: From: phile@pwcs.stpaul.gov (Philip J Ethier) Message-ID: <9002231426.AA27464@pwcs.StPaul.GOV> Subject: Re: Far Eastern clone To: british-cars@alliant.com Date: Fri, 23 Feb 90 08:26:27 EST References: <9002222143.AA02516@abingdon.wpd.sgi.com>; from "Scott Fisher" at Feb 22, 90 1:43 pm X-Mailer: Elm [version 2.1 PL1] Newsgroups: list.british-cars Distribution: ut Approved: devnull@gpu.utcs.toronto.edu Actually, Scott, I have seen an Elan with its clothes off. The backbone frame is just that, the primary structural part of the car. It supports the largly unstressed body, the engine, transmission, suspension components and differential. The Miata is not built like this. The main structural member is the monocoque (damn, unibody is easier to spell) itself. The subframe to which I was referring is vibrationally isolated from the unibody and supports only the engine, transmission and differential. It does not support the body, but is supported BY the body which in turn is supported by the suspension. This arrangement, along with the absence of the rubber doughnuts in the driveline, helps to eliminate the "rubber band" loping that Elan owners know so well. Put another way, this subrame unites engine, tranmission and differential into one unit, not unlike the single-unit effect in a mid-engine car. Not to stray too far from British cars, but maybe our Miata-driving folks can pass on the factory claims for this design. Miata was suposed to be a light-weight, inexpensive sport car. It is neither. The Spridget is. (Yes I know Loti are lighter, but inexpensive?) phile@pwcs.stpaul.gov -- Login name: phile In real life: Philip J Ethier Phone: 298-5324