Mercedes Benz land speed record car clutch

[Tom Smith]

Porsche designed the Type 80 LSR car for Mercedes Benz in 1937. He figured the 3000 HP Diamler-Benz 603 engine had enough torque that transmission gears weren't necessary but to get it from rest to a point where the clutch could be fully engaged around 90 MPH he designed a special clutch. It consisted of three driven clutch discs that were faced on both sides with conventional woven asbestos linings that operated inside a completely enclosed housing in a mist of oil that was to help convey the heat away. Gradual, controlled engagement of the clutch was effected by a system of centrifugal weights. Once the desired matching of crank speed and car speed had been reached the 213-lb clutch was to lock itself solid. In other words they used a giant DXL oil clutch.

[ted johnson]

Ecclesiastes 1:9 (New International Version)

9 What has been will be again,
what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun.

Guess it's true! TJ

[Rob Voska]

Ever torn apart a horizontal mill clutch asembly? Not much different. Just engaged with a lever instead of centrifical weights......