[net.auto] A supercharger with a clutch

burden@cheers.DEC (Dave Burden --- 381-2559) (10/03/84)

<so, H20 has an octane rating of around infinity, right?>

I don't feel like opening up the discussion on superchargers again.  You know,
the one about the apparent declutching of Max's supercharger in 'Mad Max' and
'The Road Warriors', but I have come across an article in 'Automobiles
Classiques' that says Mercedes used a small multi-disc clutch to engage the
superchargers in the SSK and SSKLs.  It was only engaged when the driver fully
depressed the accelerator and was declutched when he backed off a bit.  They
continued using this system until WWII in various street cars like the 380K, 
500K and 540K.

This information in no way tries to prove that the supercharger shown in
the Mad Max films was able to be turned on or off at will.  I just came 
across the article and thought it was interesting that such a device was
actually used at one point.  But, then, almost all 'new' innovations that
show up in today's cars can be found on some old and/or obscure make of car.


Dave Burden		decvax!decwrl!rhea!cheers!burden
			603-881-2559  DEC  Nashua, NH