Eventually & obliquely van related but the main message might contain a
liitle humorous (?) perspective that we all need at times...Friday might
have been a better day for it. [ ;+|]
A comment that stuck with me made about an '54 MG-TF I used to have . These
were among the last Brits with wooden members in the undercarriage (among
other throwback technologies). A friend wryly said that it was common for
"British Engineers to come up with something TEN years ahead of its time
then use it for TWENTY-FIVE years." [Well the 63 Jag does still look good!]

The extended starter motor axle mentioned recently on the list is an example
of Brit straightforward practicality. British engineers and Brits in general
seem to have a very practical mentality. A house in England I stayed in had
the bare water supply pipes running OUTSIDE the house. Naturally when the
weather turned (infrequently fortunately) cold they had a problem with
freezing water pipes. "That's why they're on the outside, 'mate', easier to
get to in case of freezing".

Some of aero-engineer subscribers will probably tell you that the Spitfire
was a bit more than ten years ahead of its time and should prove that there
REALLY ARE British engineers. In the nick of time.

Although the simplicity of English cars I owned  (Austin A, MG-TF,Vauxhalls
x 2) taught me my first lessons in car repair, there was always something
weirdly and erratically ingenious on every vehicle.

DOES THIS LAST PART REMIND YOU OF A QUIRKY VAN SOME OF US DRIVE? Makes me
wonder during those occasional dark Vanagon clouds we all pass under from
time to time,  whether "German Engineering" is as good as its reputation and
perhaps oxymoronic in itself.