Article on The Internet Mini Encyclopædia |
British <=> American Automotive Translations
from http://www.team.net/sol/solterms.html
team.net the home of the mini-list
British & American terms may be mixed
NOTE: a "/" indicates more likely common US/UK useage of both words!!!
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accumulator: battery
actuator: switch or servo
Artic: articulated lorry = "tractor-trailer"
baulk: ring synchro ring
bonnet: hood
boot: trunk
bulkhead: firewall
choke tube: venturi
core plug: freeze plug
crocodile clip: alligator clip
crosshead: Phillips
crown wheel: ring gear
cubby box / glove box / glove compartment
damper/shock absorber
drive shaft /half shaft /axle shaft
drop-head coupe /convertible version of 2 door coupe
dumpy screwdriver /short screwdriver
dynamo /generator/alternator (general device NOT precise function)
earth /ground
estate /station wagon
fascia /dashboard
fixed-head coupe/ 2 door coupe
frogeye /bugeye
Gallon (Imperial) = 5 US Quarts
gearbox /transmission
gudgeon pin: wrist pin
hood :convertible top
jointing compound /gasket sealant
lorry /truck
mole wrench: Vice grips:molgrips
monocoque: unibody
MOT /DOT/DfT
Ministry of Transport: Department of Transportation
naveplate/ hubcap
nose:front of car
paraffin: kerosene
pinking/ knocking or pinging
prop shaft/ drive shaft
petrol: gasoline
prise/ pry
proud: above or raised
quarterlight:vent window
rev counter/ tachometer
ring gear: flywheel gear, or starter gear
roadster: car that only comes in a convertible style
roundabout: rotary, traffic circle
RoStyle: type of steel wheel (as opposed to wire)
saloon: 2 or 4 door sedan
scuttle: cowl
side curtains: removable side windows
silencer: muffler
sill: rocker panel
Shooting Brake/ station wagon/estate
spanner: wrench
split pin/cotter pin
spring washer/ lock washer
squab: part of seat
suction advance/ vacuum advance
sump: oil pan
thrust bearing: throwout bearing
tickover/idle
top gear/high gear
torch: flashlight
trunnion: sliding or rotating joint (suspension)
Tyre: tire
wheel nut: lug nut
whitworth: Brtish thread measuring standard
windscreen: windshield
wing: fender
Common Auto Abbreviations
Abbreviation Meaning
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AC Auto Carrier
ARG Austin Rover Group
BL British Leyland
BLMC British Leyland Motor Corporation
BMC British Motor Corporation
BSF British Standard Fine (Thread system)
BSW British Standard Whitworth (Thread system)
BFH Big F...... Hammer, AKA: "Bashing Tool"
(big, heavy hammer used "persuading" stuck parts, etc.)
CD (refers to carbs) constant depression
DB (e.g. Aston-Martin DB6) David Brown
M.G. Derived from Morris Garage(s)
NOS New, Old Stock parts (as opposed to a recent copy)
PI petrol injection
SS Swallow Sidecars
SU Skinners Union (Carbs and Fuel pumps)
TVR TreVoR (Wilkinson), the founder of TVR
ZS Zenith-Stromberg (Carbs)
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