<VV> Bordering Comical...(No Corvair)

[AeroNed at aol.com]

In a message dated 8/13/2006 4:54:54 P.M. Central Daylight Time,  
chaz at ProperProPer.com writes:

If the  engine "belongs" in the front, why are (nearly) all true performance 
cars  rear-engined (or at least mid-engined) ?



NASCAR, Can-Am, most sports cars are all front engine (except for  Porsches).
 
Three reasons for read/mid engine come to mind, balance, safety and  
visibility. Locating the engine over the drive wheels or close to them gets the  
weight where it can help traction the most.
 
If your driving an open car, you want the engine behind you for safety. If  
the engine pukes oil, coolant or fuel, you don't want it getting on you and  
being exposed to the potential hazard that would bring.
 
Not to mention, if the car is very small, the engine is the biggest thing  in 
the car. Having it in front of the driver makes seeing around it  difficult.
 
As for the claims in the Ford commercial, having the majority of the weight  
behind the vehicle center of pressure is directional unstable. That's  true 
for a rocket, or car. Just the laws of Physics. Part of the reason a front  
spoiler was added to the Corvair was to reduce this instability.
 
Ned