NEWS
NEWS
Powerlite Slimline Starter Motors - the answer to a tight fit
Perhaps the biggest problem facing any car builder is space - very often “standard” component parts are simply too big or too bulky to fit into the tight space left over once you’ve added the chassis, steering column or gear linkage.
To combat this, we have invented a superb range of high torque starter motors that are not only versatile and easy to fit, but deliver a huge amount of cranking power. Powerlite’s “Slimline” range of high torque starters are a plug and play answer to fitting and starting problems on a multitude of engines.
Typically weighing in at a skinny 3.0 kg, all units have been designed, tested and built by skilled auto electricians at our plant in Brierley Hill. The basic design of the Slimline unit mirrors a pattern used on Honda engines, where a powerful 1.6 kW motor has been constructed using an epicyclic gear box for extra oomph when the key is turned. They contain an in-built solenoid, teeth patterns have been matched to originals and boss sizes mimic the footprint of the engine aperture for easy fitting.
If that wasn’t enough, we have also added a PCD of cap screw holes so the front bracket can be easily removed and then “clocked” into the best position to avoid pesky things like engine blocks and exhaust manifolds.
A broad range of fitments include all A Series engines, Ford Pinto, X Flow and Pre X Flow, and special “made-to-measure” units are available on demand.
Give us a call for more details!
Half-century celebrations for the classic Ford Capri
When Ford launched the Mk I Capri in 1969, with one of the most famous automotive one-liners ever, “Ford Capri: The Car You Always Promised Yourself”, they were hoping to bring a touch of Mustang mystique to British shores. Instantly a hit with UK drivers, affordable with a variety of engine sizes, the car went on to become a favourite world-wide.
The Mk II followed in 1974, the first Ford to feature a hatchback, succeeded by the many guises of Mk III, until the final car rolled off the production line in December 1986 at the Ford factory in Cologne. In total 1,886,647 Capris had been produced, with more than 1 million of these being the Mk I due to its popularity in Australia and North America.
50 years on this classic remains a favourite with both collectors and racetrack enthusiasts. And like any classic car, Capris need specialist replacement parts. Powerlite is the leading manufacturer and supplier of high-performance rotating electrics for classic, performance, competition and kit cars.
We offer direct replacement starter motors for all Capris, from the smaller Kent engined crossflow cars, Pinto motors, and through to the larger Essex and Cologne units including high performance and race versions. Our strong, powerful offset gear-reduced starter motors deliver huge cranking torque through a set of steel internal gears. Lightweight, compact and durable, these units start the engine faster with immense power, whilst drawing less current from the battery.
Alternatively, we can supply slimline starter motors, deceptively powerful lightweight units featuring an epicyclic gear box to deliver extra power. Easy to fit, this starter delivers maximum torque whilst again using less battery power. Call us or visit our website to find the correct starter for your car.
Powerlite also have an alternator ‘on the shelf’ to suit every Capri for every situation, from original OE type units, to compact, lightweight high-performance race specification fitments.
Every Powerlite unit has been designed, tested and manufactured to the highest possible standards, using over 40 years of auto electrical experience, on site at our Brierley Hill base in the West Midlands. In addition, we are the only UK company to offer a full re-manufacturing service for classic starter motors, alternators and dynamos.
50 years of the Ford Capri deserves celebrating by buying the best British parts available.
If you would like more information on products then take a look at www.powerlite-units.com, drop an email to sales@powerlite-units.com, or speak to a member of the Powerlite Team on 01384 261984.
Powerlite American Road Trip - Sunny Skies & Cool Cars
California’s Monterey Car Week 2019 certainly lived up to its reputation for being the place in the USA to see classic and performance cars.
Powerlite kicked off their West Coast adventure by visiting classic car clubs, classic and performance car parts suppliers, and then moved on to exhibiting at two of the stand-out shows of the week.
Werks Reunion provided the chance to meet hundreds of Porsche owners and enthusiasts, whilst drooling over the sheer beauty of the cars in attendance. The next day at Laguna Seca Raceway, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion saw 550 authenticated sports cars there for on-track racing at the home of the famous Corkscrew, but most importantly showing off!
It was great to meet so many people who visited the stands, and judging by the amount of Powerlite bags we spotted being carried, people were genuinely impressed by our products. Special thanks go to the Powerlite Team who arranged transportation of our products from the UK to Salinas, California - which arrived within 14 minutes of the estimated delivery time. Not bad going!
Here’s a mini-collection of photos but you can take a look at our Instagram page for more great memories of our California Road Trip.
Yee-haw - Powerlite is heading west!
Powerlite Units is visiting the west coast of America for two top events over the coming weeks.
The annual Werks Reunion Monterey takes place at the at Corral de Tierra Country Club in southern California on August 16. This event is the largest gathering of Porsches, attracting hundreds of cars, thousands of spectators, and the Powerlite Team will be there to welcome you to its stand.
Then, the very next day we will be at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, taking place at the Laguna Seca Raceway - the Home of the Corkscrew! This iconic event brings together upwards of 550 race cars in one open paddock for everyone to enjoy.
Powerlite is the leading UK manufacturer and supplier of high-performance rotating electrics for classic, performance, competition and kit cars, with an unrivalled reputation for supplying high quality parts to some of the world’s most prestigious manufacturers, race teams and restoration specialists.
If you’re visiting either of these fantastic shows then come along and see us. We’d love to give you a big British welcome - you may not instantly understand our Black Country accents but you’ll certainly appreciate the quality of our products. Director, Michael Hadley, and Sales & Marketing Manager, Rob Manger, will be on hand to answer all your queries.
For more information ahead of the USA events, visit our website www.powerlite-units.com or email sales@powerlite-units.com.
Powerlite Products & Customer Service Praised
Isn't it just great when you receive fantastic feedback on both your products and customer service! Praise was heaped on us by Don Anderson in Fortyfication, the magazine for GT 40 Enthusiasts - part 19 of his detailed reporting of his Southern GT40 rebuild.
Powerlite always goes that extra mile to help - it's all in a day's work for us, but it's great to be recognised for doing so. Many thanks to Jak and Jason. View the article here.
Powerlite at Silverstone Classic
It may not be as hot as yesterday but you'll still get a warm Black Country welcome from Michael, Catherine and Rob. Powerlite will be at Silverstone Classic all weekend so come and see us - Stand 96 in the Shopping Village. Lots of special offers to be had.
C45 Dynalite with PAS! Another stunning invention from Powerlite!
We are proud to announce the launch of another new Dynalite which demonstrates our unique ability to create fantastic products for Classic Cars.
Our latest Dynalite invention is a C45 dynamo equivalent for Jaguar models fitted with Power Assisted Steering. Exclusively designed, tested and built by us here at Powerlite, it has a 60 amp capacity, looks just like the original unit and weighs just 4.9 kg.
This model is now available and like our other Dynalites, we expect it to be extremely popular. For pricing and further information, please don’t hesitate to contact the Powerlite Sales Team.
And, one last thing, like every Dynalite made by us it is 100% Made in the UK and is covered by our unique Lifetime Warranty.
 | OE Number C15254, Lucas 22528 Jaguar XK150 Jaguar MK II, 3.4, 3.8, 340 Jaguar MK IX  |
Powerlite & Goodwood Mini encounter
Powerlite starter motors to the fore in epic Goodwood Mini encounter.
Spectators at the recent 77th Members Meeting at Goodwood were treated to an incredible display of racing by the worlds finest exponents of Mini racing. 60 Minis were assembled at the famous West Sussex venue to cele-brate the 60th anniversary of the iconic Mini. Two 30 car ‘semi-finals’ on the Saturday created an aggregate final grid on the Sunday for the fastest 30. What then transpired was a race that will be talked about for years and has already no doubt, gone down as one of the highest of highlights since the classic venue re-started it’s motor rac-ing activities. From the 60 cars entered, over 80% of the grid used Powerlite starter motors with the top 6 in that final all using the products. Nick Swift, Nick Padmore, Jonathan Lewis, Ian Curley, Darren Turner, et al , provided 20 minutes of heart in the mouth stuff, only settled in the last few yards of the race. The first four cars crossing the line covered by less than a second. Thank you to everyone who made the meeting such an incredible event and just to say that we had played a small part in it makes us hugely proud.
Special Offers @ Race Retro 2018
Powerlite are at Race Retro this month at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry (Friday 23rd - Sunday 25th February) We are in Hall 2 Stand 2-04 with some Special Offers on all our units.
WE ARE OFFERING MANY OF OUR TOP SELLING UNITS AT A VERY SPECIAL REDUCED PRICE DURING RACE RETRO.
THE SPECIAL PRICES ONLY APPLY TO THIS SHOW, AND ONLY APPLIES TO GOODS PURCHASED OR ORDERED BETWEEN FRIDAY AND SUNDAY AT RACE RETRO, OR UP TO FRIDAY 2ND MARCH 2018.
THIS IS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER, AND THESE PRICES WON’T BE REPEATED!!
PLEASE COME AND ASK FOR MORE DETAILS!! (HALL 2 STAND 2-04)
For more information about Race Retro 2018, click on the link below:-
New to range - 2018
Here are a few NEW units recently added to our Powerlite range of high torque start motors.
A new high-torque starter motor for more Italian motoring icons. Our new RAC512 for the Fiat 124 Special T, 131 Supermirafiori, 132 etc. Great for fans of Fiat! Simply swap for the original for our high torque starter, twice the power and half the draw off the battery. For road, race & rally!
Another new high-torque starter motor, hot off the factory floor. This time for a classic piece of Americana. A 12v 1.4kw unit for the GM (Chevrolet GMC etc.) Stovebolt straight 6 engine used in all things wonderful in the good old USA.
Great news for many classic Alfa Romeo owners. We are pleased to announce our new RAC516 hi-torque starter motor for the 2600 (Tipo 106) engine for Berlina, Spider, Sprint, Berlina Deluxe & Sprint Zagato. More performance! More reliability! Less weight!
Top work by the engineers in the factory, adds another important hi-torque starter motor to our portfolio. For the majority of cars with the Ford Taunus V4 & Cologne V6 engine this is a massive improvement over the original and is a direct fit replacement. So perfect for the Capri Power, Reliant Scimitar, Saab 96 and Ford Granada and many more! Keeping your dream alive!
Is there money in old starters?
Is there money in old starters and dynamos? Well, there is if you look closely enough.... Whilst our remanufacturing department were performing another amazing rebuild on the original units for a 1936 Singer 9 Sports, they uncovered a fabulous wartime fix by using a 1940 minted Ha'penny! So, from the year of the "Battle of Britain" and emphasising the spirit of "MAKE DO AND MEND" a clever modification has kept this starter going for years. Incredible!!
For more information on our Remanufacturing Service, click on HERE
