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From: rs55611@ihuxk.UUCP (Robert E. Schleicher)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: Another question on blowers
Message-ID: <709@ihuxk.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 9-Aug-84 13:43:42 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihuxk.709
Posted: Thu Aug  9 13:43:42 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 10-Aug-84 01:20:20 EDT
References: <168@wjvax.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL
Lines: 22

In regard to electrically switchable blowers only being seen in movies,
I can at least vouch for that part!  In The Road Warrior (and maybe
in Mad Max, too), Mel Gibson's car has an interior switch that turned on his
blower unit.  This appeared to be a GMC unit, and looked realistic enough,
but who can say for sure.

I do know, however, that old supercharged Mercedes, like the SSKs,
500Ks, 540Ks, etc. of the late 20s through late 30s had switchable blowers.
These cars had dual horsepower ratings, with and without the supercharger
in operation.  Owners were also advised not to run with the blower engaged
for long periods, as engine reliability suffered somewhat.  I also
think (but am less sure) that old blower Bentleys had such a switch
(actually, probably some form of mechanical linkage, without
a solenoid.

PS  How about the nitrous oxide system the bad guy ("the Humungous")
had on his dune racer in The Road Warrior?  Just the thing for
occasional massive doses of power.

Bob Schleicher
ihuxk!rs55611
AT&T Bell Laboratories, Naperville, Ill