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As I remember the Kubota engine in the Spitfire chassis bolted to a 4 speed transmission with the fourth gear being an overdrive ratio. Consider that it was designed as a commuter car the 35 mph usage was deemed relevant. Other diesel conversions of the era to VW Rabbit or Plymouth Horizon vehicles were advertised at 65 mpg at 55 mph. The initial mileage driving cycles were done on dyno tests that did not account for air drag so they tended to be 10% higher than road tests.
The 250cc motorcycle engine in the Edison may have a shorter economic life than an industrial diesel. Has anyone seen figures for the Hayes diesel engine durability?
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