[Healeys] Drum Brakes

[Larry Varley]

Hi Patrick, I'm feeling suitably "endeared" :) yes compared to the very 
crude disc brakes on a 100S drums would probably match their 
performance. Your talking about aesthetics rather than braking. I 
totally agree that some old classic sports cars are a work of art and 
you would ever alter them. Some years ago I did some very major repairs 
on a 1934 Logonda Rapide one of 12 built for Lemans with the Medows 
duals spark plug and dual magneto and coil igintion, that could easily 
achieve over 100MPH, and rode in it at those speeds. Enormous drum 
brakes, linkage operated and at 100MPH you get to use the brakes once 
and once only, as they grew in diameter so much you had no pedal after 
the first application. Now you would never consider modifying that car 
to a better braking system, nor would you with the cars you also 
mentioned. However if you want to drive a Healey in modern traffic on a 
regular basis there is nothing wrong with a disc brake upgrade and it is 
the individuals choice. My 100 still has drum brakes, Alfins on the 
front and it is still unpredictable but part of the charm. My Nash 
Healey will be all disc simply because of the power it will have and 
Australian engineering requirements for Vass certification. Its all part 
of the fun and as long as we enjoy our cars, who cares.
Keep well
Larry Varley