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unusual facts about BMC B-Series engine



1990 in motoring

The ancient 1.0 and 1.3 A-Series engines were dropped in favour of the new 16-valve K-Series units, with a choice of 1.1 and 1.4 litres.

BMC E-Series engine

A purpose built production facility was built at Crofton Hackett south of Longbridge Birmingham to build the units.

However cost constraints and the recent merger with Leyland/Triumph ment all development was shelved on the project, as it would already be in a crowded sector within the company.A fibreglass full size mock-up is on display at the BMIHTGaydon, Warwickshire.

Clubmans

Sports 1600 gave way to "K Sports" with a Rover K-series engine and the 16-valve two-litre Vauxhall temporarily replaced the 1700 cc Crossflow unit in 1993 for the short-lived rear-engined Supersports category.

Courthouse Green

During the 1960s the Cooper S variants of the BMC A-Series engine were developed and produced at the Courthouse Green plant.

Daihatsu E-series engine

There was also a short-lived special version for the Swiss markets, where several cantons had tax systems which favoured cars of less than 800 cc.

The ED engine was to undergo a long development as production was later taken over by Malaysia's Perodua, who still produce it in its latest, DVVT form.

GTM Cars

With the introduction of the Rover 'K'-series engine, GTM were quick to fit one in their third generation Rossa which was launched as simply the 'K3', the first vehicle to be made available with a mid-mounted 'K'-series (subsequently followed by Lotus' Elise, MG's own MGF and Ariel's Atom to name but three).

Isle of Mull Railway

Powered by a Morris Minor engine with mechanical transmission giving four forward and four reverse gears.

Rover L-Series engine

It used Lucas Electronic Unit Injection, instead of the L-Series' direct injection system, as well as a through-flow cylinder head and a very different ancillary equipment layout.

TVR Grantura

Buyers could choose from a range of powerplants which included a choice of side or overhead valve engines from Ford, a Coventry Climax unit or the MGA B-series engine.


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