LJK Setright

[Blenheim Boy]

This being a Bristol forum, I imagine many members are familiar with the late LJK Setright. Here are a number of articles that he authored which I have found on the Internet. If there is enough interest, I have more to share.

Lotus Europa
setrighteuropa

Honda CBX1000
The new Cafe (racer) Society: LJK Setright, Browning, and the 1980 CBX

Chrysler Crossfire (LJKS offered a refreshingly different opinion, when every other 'expert' pundit did nothing but slate this car);
LJK Setright: American styling - but a Merc by any other name - Comment, Motoring - The Independent

[Blenheim Boy]

Four wheel steering;
LJK Setright: What happened to four-wheel active steering? - Features, Motoring - The Independent

I would be grateful if anyone has more to share on Setright and the Honda Prelude w/four wheel steering.

[406Special]

Haven't read the article, though LJK owned a Prelude with 4WS and
loved it. By then he couldn't afford more exotic machinery like
another Bristol.

He had a regular column in CAR for about 20 plus years (I think) and
I enjoyed reading his column before others. It was his love of
Bristol cars that got me going in the first place.

Clyde (406 Alpine Special - still underway - slowly)

[Rubbond]

I had a Lotus Europa in the 1970's - same colour in fact.
Stuck like glue to the road but if you parked next to a curb (even as a 20
something year old) you just couldn't climb out of it!
All GRP and God forbid what could happen when re-fueling when the exhaust
was still hot!
Not for me I'm afraid.
In general I prefer coupés to open cars, but not that one!
I'm afraid I didn't even bother to open the Honda and Chrysler links. Sorry
about that if I offend anyone.
Andrew.

[Rubbond]

I happen to have a 1966 Werklust (8.5 MT) wheel loader with 4 wheel drive
and 4 wheel steering. Worth more for scrap iron than as a vehicle.
Sometimes the wheels work in pairs, but not always!
Great if it works, but if the hydraulic pressure is not up to par, you end
up pushing cow sheds down sideways.
If 4 wheel steering were a good idea, wouldn't they use this in Formula 1,
instead of just on 60 foot trucks?
I do remember way back a 6-wheeled Formula 1 car (and even a Range Rover I
think?). But just a fad I think.
Andrew.

[Blenheim Boy]

I am very cynical of the link between road car and racer. Admittedly, modern ice-racers use 4WS, like those in the Andros Trophy. But I don't think F1 is a good barometer. A lot of good ideas have been scuppered because of F1's legislators, such as the Chaparral 2J ground effect car.

Would the public take 4WS more seriously if F1 cars used it? Likely, but for all the wrong reasons; because an F1 car is generally perceived as superior to anything else on four wheels - despite the fact that it is a 'car' in only the loosest sense - the public would simply accept it as a good idea without analysing the benefits.

I think Honda should have been braver and fitted 4WS to more of their cars, not just top-of-the-range Preludes. I imagine the accountants got in the way. Manufacturers don't need to ask customers if they would like a more reliable car, it is simply make it more reliable, because that is expected. And they should not have to ask customers whether they would like a more agile, superior handling car; it should simply go without saying.

Why was/is 4WS not commonplace in every road car? Extra cost is likely the bottom line. Honda have a lot of patents on 4WS, so other manufacturers would have to develop their own system or pay royalties to a Honda and use their 4WS. The public’s imagination was captured by four wheel drive because they could see the benefits with their eyes, whether it was Land Rover off-roading, or an Audi Quattro winning rallies; consequently, four wheel drive systems of varying quality were offered in all kinds of cars in the 1980s, to dubious advantage.

Despite the extra engineering costs, manufacturers pushed 4WD to the fore in road cars because they knew it was a selling point; why have a front wheel drive Cavalier, when sir can have a 4WD Cavalier from Vauxhall? That's two more wheels driven than the Jones' Ford Sierra next door! Never mind that the Cavalier's traction will only ever be tested by standing water, which the wider, sportier tyres of the 4WD model will be sorely tested by. And maybe Sir will notice that his clutch does not have the lifespan of Jones' two wheel drive Sierra.

Four wheel steering did not undergo this unpleasant phase, but then neither does it enjoy the notoriety that four wheel drive enjoys to this day.

Four wheel steering is easier to feel in action than see in action. On that basis, it’s a wonder anti-lock brakes ever got off the ground - which is ironic, given its avaition heritage - because once behind the wheel, the driver can only feel them in action, not see.

I think the Prelude w/4WS, is a massively under appreciated car. Try one for yourself and experience the benefits!

[406Special]

Take a look at the wiki on 4WS. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steering

Although not comprehensive I can also tell you about Porsche 928 with
its Weissach rear axle with passive rear steer. http://
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steering

Having owned a 928 for more than a decade I can vouch for the balance
and security a passive rear steer provides.

Clyde