IN THE STICKS

I remember when I was a kid in the 70's 5 star petrol being around , was this the Optimax of it's day , was it just a higher octane rating than 4 star ? I bet the scoob would love it if it was around now .

Dave

RB5_245

Until the lead fouled the cats

Actually on 2nd thoughts who uses cats anyway

monkeyboy840

yes remember it well, it was still around in the mid 80's

David Lock

I think it was 101 RON and, like all leaded at the time, had a much higher lead content as well. Was about 5/-6p (Five shillings and 6 pence) per gallon when I started to use it

JohnD

iTrader: (5)

I had a couple of Rover 2000 TC's back in the late '60's and had to use 5 star. With the static ignition set as per spec. they still pinked on most brands! Shell was the best at 101 octane (didn't call it RON then)
The Rover engine had an impressive spec. 10.5:1 comp. ratio, twin 2" SU's single OHC, 4 branch exhaust manifold etc. By todays standards it would be considered a dog, but it was good back then!
JohnD

XRS

I used it in my Lotus Europa Twin Cam back in 1975. I think it went out of production soon after.

IN THE STICKS

I think we're all starting to show our age now aren't we

pwhittle

Didn't they have 2 (or 3) star as well? Probably the same cr*p we get now

IN THE STICKS

Always wanted one when I was a kid , had a matchbox one and it was the only toy car I actually didn't wreck I think

IN THE STICKS

Yes your right 2, 3,4 and 5 star were around....very confusing I'm sure

*AL*

I remember 5 star too.I used to chuck it in my Rover SDi V8s..........ah, fond memories!

Mother Theresa

Early range Rovers had to have the stuff as I recall. That was when Range Rovers were two grand mind you and wouldn't have been allowed on the King's Road.

Criss

4 star was being taken out of stations when I can remember! 1992ish

All I hav ever used is unleaded and optimax!

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

Theres a garage near me that still sells 4 star

Robocop

Yep I remember 5 star as a young kid in the 70's and it was 75p per GALLON at the time.

Neilo

i was barely born when this stuff was out it appears!

movi-star

iTrader: (1)

I never can get enough, ohhh woooo, System Addict

Neilo

i was waiting for that

IN THE STICKS

Shark Man

Back then, Rover's V8 had 10.5:1 Compression (P5) and a healthy 160bhp and 210lb/ft whilst using the more restrictive small valve heads. It took over 10 years, bigger valves, different cams, electronic ignition and EFi for the engine to reach that power level again and even then, it was still down on torque.

Later version dropped to as low as 8.15:1.....almost the same as a scoob, just without a Turbo. No wonder all they could muster was 130bhp/175lbft (or 91bhp/166lbft for the military/commercial versions)

All due to the intended fuel it was designed for. (latter being 90RON..yes, 90! )

IN THE STICKS

Probably got one old dear with a Morris Minor slowly taking it off of their hands

XRS

You wouldn't have needed to wreck it - all Europas fell apart of their own accord

corradoboy

My Dad ran Shell garages in the 70's and 80's so I remember 2,3,4,& 5*. Bloody nightmare when a tanker pulled and you had all 4 to fill, as well as diesel. It always makes me chuckle when people wax lyrical about Shell being the best as I remember some of the phonecalls my Dad used to make to head office about how his account customers were all deserting him because their cars were pinking like crazy. They used to just barely scrape through the 4* specification in a bid to maximise profit at the expense of the end users engine. Although my Dad ran Shell garages, he used Jet petrol in his own car

JohnD

iTrader: (5)

Mmmm - I remember Shell being sued left, right and centre over their "Formula Shell" fuel damaging engines (burning and pocketing valves?)
JohnD

IN THE STICKS

i remember that too , used to kill Vauxhall's like mad IIRC

Eprom

I remember that to, New Formula Shell, even my old pinto engine ran like **** on that stuff, didn't seize up any valves though.

Andrew O'Hara

I remember 5 star petrol, my old fella used to put it in his 5.3 V12 Jag XJ and then in his XJS........

RMA26

Esso points?

RB5_245

Sued? They should have been given an award for that

Scoob99

iTrader: (1)

me as well my Dad use to fill his Rover SD1 with it grat memories.
Cheers
Colin