“Our fastback is coming along as well as Jochen Schmitt’s (see above). When we were over last August we paid Paddy Greenwood a visit. For one we checked the fit of my sidescreens to his car – it was so good he took them on the spot but I think I’ve told you about it already. He also expressed the need for another set of Vauxhall Carlton brakes. I did have a set of brackets suitable for Spridget hubs with me but he wanted a full set-up for Girling-hubs. When I got home to take stock l realised that my supply of bits had somewhat dwindled. I had only brackets with the offset suitable for Spridget hubs left. I had 4 machined Spitfire brake discs. I had a pair of reconditioned /new ATE calipers and a pair of second hand ones. Two sets of brake pads to complete the set-up. Getting new brackets made took until Christmas and I put the set together for Paddy which he has received today. I have been searching for Vauxhall calipers for the last fortnight and there are no new left hand units to be had and prices have climbed. I have bought a set and two second hand left hand units to refurbish. I have also bought one new right hand unit and I am going to order another one. It certainly looks like supplies may be drying up. During my search I stumbled across a remark that Mercedes W116 calipers fitted to the Opel Senator B which has the same calipers as the Carlton/Omega A. I had a look at them: 38mm pistons, same pattern pads similar casting, a bit meatier and longer from what I could make out on the pictures hole pattern and offset at least very close – with a bit of luck identical. Loads of them about and half the price of the Vauxhall units. Will they fit? Will they clear? The answer is yes and yes. I bought one. Everything fits. They clear the wheel hub and rim of both the 4 and 5 inch wire wheels. The pads are the same as the Vauxhall. Actually they look a bit more like the (Girling) Type 10 caliper.
Would the FIA accept them? I have contacted John Hopwood (Eligibility Scrutineer) and he suggested to apply via the German equivalalent to the ASN the DMSB for approval by th FIA which I have done”. Sven Eckhardt.
P.S. Mercedes/Omega part numbers are 1234200583 and1234200683 for left and right respectively
Alternative calipers as substitutes for the obsolete Girling TYPE 10 required to comply with FIA regs
Mercedes/Omega caliper
ATE and Merc units
The Merc caliper compared with the ATE one
Merc/Omega caliper
More comparison shots
Comparing Merc with Girling
