Humor from an old Autoweek

[Dwight Varnes <mxbreed@lancnews.infi.net>]

I received a box of 80's Autoweeks as a gift recently, and have been
making my way through them, reliving my past and laughing at what was at
one point the exciting future. The following is the official passage
regarding Audi's new brake system (the much-loved UFOs):

"Audi's V8 powered 300 will sport an elegant and clever new front brake
design. Audi found brake systems now in use inadequate for the car,
especially in the planned 400+hp, twin turbo version of its new 3.6
liter V8. The problem: insufficient swept area, the disc area contacted
by the pads in a full revolution of the rotor.  To get enough swept area
for the anticipated power, wight and speed, the 300s wheels needed to be
18" in diameter, far larger than can fit to the car.  The solution? Audi
engineers devised a brake disc only .25" less in diameter than the inner
race of a 16" wheel, by means of a metal 'spider' welded onto the outer
edge of the 1.25" thick rotor. The wheel bolts to the spider. With the
hub out of the way, the caliper clasps the rotor from inside."

Ahh yes. An ingenious solution. One wonders if they ever tested the damn
things after they designed 'em. 
-- 
"Life is too short to drive boring cars."

Dwight Varnes, insurance appraiser and car nut
1970 124 Spider (restored, mostly)
1986 Audi Coupe GT (bigger engine at machine shop)
1989 VW Jetta GLI 16v (the wife's ride, needs restored)
1984 Nissan 4x4 Pickup (rust never sleeps)
1965 Buick Skylark conv. (more fun than you'd think)