Campbell Austin

[Henry Harris]

Some more pics of the Campbell Daytona car....

   

   


I'm wondering what the final drive ratio was

   

[Tony Betts]

hi henry,

the top picture is interesting.

i notice the car has scripted wheels, but with a hole drilled in the script.

ive had several of these over the years, WHY was it done.

and was it a sports car thing.

thanks tony

[Henry Harris]

There are three suggestions that I know of for these holes. 
Cooling for the brakes, stacking system for transporting spare wheels or fixing for wheel discs???

[Bob Culver]

Were the holes for some simple lifting device considering that the racing models were shipped about extensively?
How were discs fitted? Especially inner ones?

[Tony Betts]

hi bob,

the holes are not very big, usually around a 1/4 inch bolt.

not really a thing to lift a car on.

as ventilation? the hole again doesnt seem very big.

the wheel discs sound most likely, so has cambles car ever been pictured with discs to back this theory up.

thanks tony

[Malcolm Parker]

The suggestion that the small holes in the wheel centres were for fixing wheel discs seems to be the most logical.   The cars used for land speed record attempts at that time generally had disc wheels and it could be that Malcolm Campbell favoured their use on the Austin?
The idea that a 1/4" hole could in any way help cool the brakes is novel, I would have thought that the brakes played little part in the record attempt, on Daytona beach there would be ample space to come to a stop!

[Tony Betts]

hi malcolm,

the only fall down on the wheel disc theory. is they never seam to have a nut or bolt captivated on the inside of the wheel.

and of course if you fit the disc first, then how do you get the wheel on the car?

tony

[Nick Turley]

Could it be anything to do with wheel balancing ?

[Henry Harris]

Wheel discs on the 1931 record car at Brooklands.....


  austin 1931 record-2.jpg (Size: 115.96 KB / Downloads: 449)


  austin 1931 record-3.jpg (Size: 169.19 KB / Downloads: 449)

   

[Nick Lettington]

Looking at the discs not sold on Ebay recently,  I would suggest that the rear disk is positioned on the back of the wheel,  the wheel is bolted to the car and then the front disc bolts on, perhaps with a peg through the hole..?


  20200530_233317.jpg (Size: 66.21 KB / Downloads: 359)