gvj@mtgzz.UUCP (g.v.brinkman) (05/10/85)
What is all this I keep hearing about Lucas electrical systems ? Since coming to the States I have heard nothing but abuse for their components, are they really that bad ?. I have owned 3 cars with Lucas systems and have yet to have cause for complaint. My present car is 13 years old (the wonders of fibre glass !!!!) and to my knowledge all the electrics are still original. On the subject of Land-Rovers: - My brother has owned a 1966 88" version since 1970 and would never consider parting with it. We used to belong to a club specific for the marque and alomost every Sunday we used to compete in trials. In England most off_road events are not dependant on speed but more on finishing the course with no outside assistance. In all the years I belonged to the club, I never heard a bad word said against either the electrics or the carbs (I believe `SU` carbs are used). They are still considered the best 'go-anywhere' vehicle (when speed is not of the essence !!) by all the motoring journals in England. The competion however is catching up rapidly, but then the Land-Rover design is over 40 years old now. As a road vehicle, you have to put up with high wind noise (due to it having the aerodynamics of a brick !!), a very hard ride (the 109" is better in this respect, cold winter driving (a heater is an optional extra!!). They are however fun vehicles, being basic, rugged, rust free (aluminium body matched to a heavy steel girder chassis) and I believe reliable if, as with all cars, you maintain it properly. Hope this has been informative - Gerry
bhs@siemens.UUCP (05/13/85)
Gerry: Unfortunatly, I have never owned an english car, and thus had to base my comments onLucas systems on my friend's experiences with various of the english sports cars which they have owned. I am considering buying a second hand LR sometime in the future (within a year). From your experience, is there any particular weakpoint to watch out for? There are several models available, ranging from the 88 all the way to the 109 (I think that is the last one, maybe it is the 110, with coil springs and V8 ). Is the 88 the only one with removeable roof? Is the optional heater at all effective? Thank you for your previous posting... Bernard H. Schwab Siemens RTL, Princeton, NJ