Elvis
Chief Master Sergeant
'68 Mustang with 428. Had to unbolt one of the motor mounts just to change plugs on that side.Getting access around the engine is a common problem for mid-engined cars whether they be designed by Toyota, or Lotus, Ferrari, Lamborghini or Noble (low production British models using Ford V6 power). It becomes especially so if the engine is then mounted transversely. Just not much room left to work in.
The Lamborghini Muira produced 1966-73 even managed to squeeze a 3.9l v12 transversely in a mid-engined layout. I believe it may have been the first with this layout. So blame the Italians not the Brits!
Only way round the problem really is a clamshell rear body as on the race bred Ford GT40. But that doesn't do much for crash protection or having a boot (trunk to USians). Still, can't have everything.
Was the US Pontiac not the Fiero? Mid-engined. So powerful it couldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding!
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Pontiac Fiero - Wikipedia
en.m.wikipedia.org
And of course the French got in on the act with the Matra-Simca Bagheera and Talbot Matra Murena mid engined 3 seaters. Wasn't there also a US mid-engined sports car with 3 seats abreast?
Change out the waterpump on a 4.1L Cadillac (FWD)...13 hours. Instructions actually say, "Step 1. Remove engine from car."
These anomolies are all over the place.
The 1980's were all about stuffing a 4 foot square in a 3 foot hole.