mk1-forum.net

A Major chnge should not be THAT Bad. Check the .linkage is all tight before junking it. The GRP tops were not gated as far as I remember. Mike on the forum can supply replacement GRP tops.

there wont be a gate in the spqr as its just a replacment lever - all the 'gate' is done by the crabs claw and the detents inside the box

mike has a mthod of making a spqr shorter shift by altering the throw ratios.

the one in my new car 'feels' ok, not had it running yet

The SPQR has quite a long throw but if properly sorted is quite pleasant in use. What I liked about the one I fitted is that is was a period item and thus the original gearbox could be retained unlike going for a later remote.

The first thing is that if you don't have a template as to where to fit the two mounting brackets, you can get the SPQR unit out of line. To compensate for this there is a rubber bush in the end of the rod to which the two clamping plates fit. However once that bush, and the rubber bush in the replacement short lever fitted into the gearbox wear, there will be excessive sideways movement in the lever when in neutral or any gear. In other words, the clamping of the two plates is all that holds the gear lever in an upright and firm position relative to the gearbox.

As far as forward and backwards movement there is a detent spring in the housing which is obviously there to prevent the lever pulling the car out of gear under its own weight. If the unit is properly lubricated, the detent spring adjusted correctly and all the bushes are in good order its an OK system and better than a magic wand however, it is not as positive as the later remotes.

SPQR- remote change conversions, used to sell well to Anglia drivers as well.

It was like these eight pack gym machines marketing that goes on these days on late night telly - sounds good but pretty crap really.

But anyway, shows how vast engineering stuff was going on then, crap as well was everywhere too, because our engineering was widespread in society then, a bloke you knew would turn your drums for you, to make your brakes work better. Those were THE days, my friends. But they can be recovered, quite more quickly than you think, due to you know what, yes, HAL. (the first twenty seconds is silent because technically Dave is still in "space"),

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85wCw3ArNhs

Contrary to some of the comments in this thread SPQR was amongst the very best accessories offered in the 1960's. Usually these were sound engineering based solutions. Not the cheap crap offered by a lot of other firms.

Perhaps SPQR is also an acronym for Stupid Posts Quite Ridiculous?

where did my SPQR ridiculous photos go to...