Most def all-Brit:
20 Aug'97, Bonneville - 217.400 mph, 346.31 km/h
1433cc 333Ps (329 bhp) @ 7000 rpm Turbocharged K Series
…
this MGF differs from the standard production car only as necessary to
reduce the coefficient of drag to less than 0.25. This was achieved by the
addition of a 'longtail' - a 400 mm tapered tail extension, retaining the same
design cues as MGF - and removal of the windscreen and door mirrors. A
flat-deck tonneau was added along with a roll-cage within a 'tear-drop'
canopy providing protection for the driver's head.
… A 1.4 litre version of the MGF1.8 litre K-Series engine was selected, as its
lower compression ratio is better suited to turbocharging. The fuel used
was super-unleaded petrol.
… During 32 hours of wind tunnel testing, the tail was extended by 400mm
to improve stability, with new steel panels hand-made in Rover Design's
prototype shop. Closing off the air intakes at the front of the car cut drag and
lift and Howell painstakingly taped over the car's panel gaps before each run.
Why? Because he had discovered that minimizing the tiniest surface
imperfections yielded an extra 1.5 mph at 200mph.
The bubble top was blow-moulded by a glider canopy specialist. The chassis
retained the standard Hydragas suspension, but discarded its anti-roll bars:
cornering was irrelevant at Bonneville. The rear tyres were narrower than the
fronts - "but not by choice", smiled Phil Turner. "These are the only sizes
Goodyear makes."
If the car was created by selectively raiding the Rover corporate parts bin,
the engine poached from a wider range of sources. The Garrett turbocharger
is identical to the unit used in the Ford Escort RS Cosworth, the intercooler
comes from an Aston Martin DB7. (Has any car ever previously melded
components from the DB7 and a Maestro van?)
http://www.mgcars.org.uk/news/news272.html