The Alfa 33 was a five door hatchback and estate model car made by Alfa Romeo from 1984 to 1994. The Alfa 33 came in three engine sizes: 1.5 litres with 98 BHP, 1.7 litres with 107 to 110 BHP and a 1.7 litre 16 valve edition providing 132 to 137 BHP, all of which provided about 30 mpg. The Alfa 33 was criticised for its heavy steering, poor comfort and unreliable gear change, and has subsequently proved to be at high risk to rusting. Research Alfa 33
An Atmospheric Railway is a railway so called in consequence of the motive power being derived from the pressure of the atmosphere, or from compressed air. The idea of thus obtaining motion was first suggested by the French engineer Papin, about 1700. In 1810, and again in 1827, a Mr. Medhurst published a scheme for 'propelling carriages through a close-fitting air-tight tunnel by forcing in air behind them' and in 1825 a similar project was patented by a Mr. Yallance of Brighton. About 1835 a Mr. H. Pinkus, an American residing in England, patented a pneumatic railway. The carriages were to travel on an open line of rails, along which a cast-iron tube of between 3 and 4 feet diameter was to be laid, having a longitudinal slit from 1 to 2 inches wide and closed by a flexible valve along its upper side, through which a connection could be formed between the leading carriage and a piston working within the tube. This method was improved by Messrs. Clegg and Samuda, who in 1840 tried some experiments on a portion of the West London Railway with sufficient success to induce the government to advance a loan to the Dublin and KingstownRailway Company, for the construction of a pneumatic line from Kingstown to Dalkey. It was opened for passenger traffic at the end of 1843, and was worked for many months. The London and Croydon Company subsequently obtained powers for laying down an atmospheric railway by the side of their other line from London to Croydon, and in experimental trips in 1845 a speed of 30 miles an hour was obtained with sixteen carriages, and of 70 miles an hour with six carriages. But during the intense heat of the summer of 1846 the iron tube frequently became so hot as to melt the composition which sealed the valve, and the line had to be worked by locomotives. The mechanical difficulty of commanding a sufficient amount of rarefaction led to the abandonment of the system for railway purposes. It was revived, however, for the conveyance of letters and
arcels in towns by means of tubes of moderate diameter laid beneath the streets, but not proceeded with. Within offices, however, atmospheric railways or rather pneumatic despatch systems are used notably within the supermarket chain Sainsburys where cash from tills is put into a cylindrical container which is closed and inserted into a pressurised pipe system for conveyance to the cash office. Research Atmospheric Railway
Ballooning is a form of un-powered flight dependant on the inflation of a usually spherical fabric container with a gas that is lighter than air, such as heated air. The container (balloon) rises, carrying the pilot and passengers in a basket beneath it. Descent is effected by the controlled release of the gas, through a valve in the top of the container, operated by a cord from the basket. Research Ballooning
The Bentley Arnage is a luxury four-door saloon motor car produced since 1998 in a 4.4 litre twin turbo fuel injected 32 valve V8 cylinder engine producing 350 BHP and providing 17 mpg (known as the Green Label) and a 6.7 litre 16 valve V8 cylinder engine model producing 400 BHP and delivering 14 mpg (known as the Red Label). The Bentley Arnage is renowned for its opulence, high running costs and depreciation in value. Research Bentley Arnage
The Ford Fiesta is a series (over 800 different models have been produced) of low cost, economical, small cars of the 'Supermini' genre made by the Ford company. Ford Fiestas have been made in two-door, three-door hatchback and five-door hatchback models, with engine sizes ranging from the 960cc 'Popular' model through to a 2 litre 4 cylinders in line, 16 valve model. Both both petrol and diesel engine models have been produced. Research Ford Fiesta
The Morris Minor was a series of incredibly popular British small cars first shown at the 1948 Earl' s Court Motor Show, and the first British car to reach a production of one million, with a total of 1.6 million cars made until production stopped in 1971. The Morris Minor was designed by Alec Issigonis who worked for the Nuffield Organisation owned by William Morris (LordNuffield). Originally designed to be powered by an 1100cc flat-four water-cooled engine, the Morris Minor was fitted with the same 918cc side valve engine as had been used successfully in the Morris Eight series E car, resulting in space in the engine compartment which made the Morris Minor a very easy car to maintain. Today the Morris Minor has a cult status with enthusiasts and fan clubs. Research Morris Minor More information about Morris Minor
The Presta vale or French valve, is a popular and commonly used bicycle tyre valve. The Presta valve is a slimvalve with a built-in captive-nut valve cap, which must be unscrewed before you can pump the tyre up. Since there is no spring in a Presta valve, valvenut must be tightened after inflating the tyre, or the air will escape out of the tyre. Research Presta Valve
The Subaru Impreza is a Japanese motor-car available in a four-door saloon and five-door hatchback model since 1993. Both models are available in a 1. 6 litre, 1,8 litre and 2.0 litre 16 valve engine providing between 31 and 35 mpg, and are made in both two-wheel and four-wheel drives. Research Subaru Impreza
The Subaru Impreza Turbo is a range of Japanese motor-cars available in a four-door saloon and five-door hatchback model since 1993. Both models have a two-litre 16 valve engine providing a top speed up to 155 mph and 30 mpg. Research Subaru Impreza Turbo
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