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See Homepage. This page: Tuning Morris Minors and Austin A35s in the 1950s/1960s.

Aquaplane Tuning Equipment.

Faded cover of an Aquaplane catalogue
Twin SU carbs
Exhaust manifold
Rev counter

for the BMC A Series engine.

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Aquaplane Power Curve chart for the 803cc engine
Also See:
Aquaplane 803cc Power Curves
Aquaplane Alloy Flywheels
Aquaplane were perhaps best remembered for the engine tuning parts they produced for the sidevalve Ford, but, as this original catalogue shows, they also manufactured a range of performance goodies for other cars and engines.

The catalogue shown here was aimed at BMC (British Motor Corporation) cars, powered by the A Series engine, of either 803cc or 948cc capacities, and was printed in the mid/late 50s, judging by its references to the A35 but not the (mechanically similar) A40 Farina (launched 1958), or indeed the BMC Mini (launched 1959) which also was powered by a version of the A series.

"The Aquaplane Company has pleasure in presenting this booklet describing its Speed Equipment specially manufactured for the BMC 803cc and 948cc OHV engines as fitted to the Morris Minor Series II, Morris Minor 1000, Austin A30 and Austin A35.
Aquaplane Company are already producing the largest selection of Speed Equipment for Ford cars in the world [and therefore also for the Ford-powered Lotus 7 Series 1], and the latest Equipment for B.M.C, engines follows closely the designs which have proved to be technically superior and have withstoofd the test of the time.
The astounding success of Aquaplane Speed Equipment can be mainly attributed to the fact that the production and presentation of a first-class product has been tackled in a practical manner with a full realization of the requirements of the owner-driver as well as those of the serious competition enthusiast.
It can be stated with equal truth that the world-wide demand for Aquaplane products is in no small measure due to the absence of excessive claims as to its performance and to a policy of putting quality before price in its design, construction and appearance. Our extensive experience is built into each piece of Aquaplane Equipment and, due to high demand, we can offer a most costly product at a price well below that of expensive imitations.
While the primary object of our specialized components is to provide extra performance, our designs do not let this requirement override every other consideration - we count the retention of reliability high in the essentials of designs. Neither should more maintenance be required than that which the car would receive normally. ..."

Several tempting tuning parts are featured in this catalogue, and would no doubt be eagerly sought by drivers of classic cars today who need a bit of extra oooomph under their right foot.

The twin carburettor manifold is first to be shown, '.. constructed in vibration-resisting aluminium alloy which forms a single casting .... Twin semi-downdraught SU Carburettors of the correct specification supply the optimum mixture at all engine speeds, jet sizes etc. being determined before leaving our factory". We're told that the use of air filters '.. while not included in the price, is strongly advised and they are of a type giving the minimum of resistance to the ingoing air while efficiently excluding harmful dirt.".

Next, and recommended for fitment if the twin carb setup is chosen, is the Aquaplane exhaust manifold, and is designed to be more efficient than the bog-standard BMC offering.

A detachable outlet adapter is fitted, enabling the manifold to connect upto either the original exhaust, or, by changing the adapter, to their own High Efficiency Exhaust System (featuring larger diameter pipes and straight through silencer).

To keep an eye on spiralling engine revolutions is the Aquaplane Revolution Indicator Kit. The Aquaplane tachometer is driven directly via a flexible cable from angle gearing on the nose of the camshaft, note their own front timing chain cover was required. The dial was 4" in diameter, in traditional black face, white text, and chrome ring. The tacho read up to 7000rpm, in reverse direction when compared to speedometers and most other gauges.

Also available were Sports Inner Valve Springs for both the 803 and 948 engines, these springs fitted inside the standard valvesprings and were designed to ensure perfect valve operation at engine speeds up to 5,750rpm.

For serious speed fiends were the Racing Double Valve Springs, which enabled the A series motor to rev safely to 7,000rpm.

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