| supercar is a subjective designation and the | | | | philosophy will be expressed in the Rocket. And it is. |
| characteristics change from decade to decade most | | | | The narrow body, exposed wheels and suspension |
| of the 'ten top' lists include cars with very high hp | | | | linkages, open cockpit with no windscreen are |
| engines, 2-meter wide bodies and rear wheels | | | | considered to be pure Formula 1. Also true to Formula |
| mounted with 335 mm tires. However, rules were | | | | One, the chassis is constructed from nickel-bronze as |
| meant to be broken particularly when the rules are | | | | a space frame, covered with light alloy inner panels |
| flexible to begin with. So enter the Rocket. | | | | and glass-fiber out panels. The engine is utilized as a |
| The Rocket's body style is as far away from the | | | | stress structure to support the rear suspensions. |
| Super Ferraris and Lamborghini's as one can get and | | | | The Rocket is powered by a Yamaha motorcycle |
| still be a car. The hood resembles the end of a | | | | engine FZR 1000's 1002 cc straight 4 with 5 valves |
| vacuum cleaner wand while the chassis is cigar | | | | per cylinder. It is capable of a maximum power of |
| shaped. The wheels and suspension linkages are | | | | 143 hp at 10,500 rpm, and 77-lbft torque at 8,500 |
| exposed. The cockpit is enclosed on the sides but | | | | rpm. |
| open on top and there is no windscreen so the driver | | | | The engine is paired with a 5-speed sequential |
| is always exposed to the elements. The name is | | | | Yamaha gearbox, and then to a special final drive |
| appropriate since the body does resemble a rocket | | | | that incorporated limited slip differential and reverse |
| lying on its side on wheels. | | | | gear. The gearbox had no reverse. |
| It was the brainchild of a former racing driver named | | | | The Rocket was extremely light weighing only 400 |
| Chris Craft. It was also his first project. | | | | kg. This provided an optimal power-to-weight ratio. It |
| Although Craft considered himself a good craftsmen, | | | | also gave the Rocket outstanding maneuvering |
| he was fully aware that we was not a car designer | | | | andbraking capabilities. |
| so Craft hired Gordon Murray to design the Rocket. | | | | The brakes were front ventilated, cross-drilled discs |
| Gordon Murray is considered a top Formula One chief | | | | with 4-piston Brembo calipers; rear cross-drilled discs |
| designer and his cars have won five world | | | | with 2-piston Brembo calipers. |
| championships. Murray was also responsible for the | | | | As tested by Autocar, the Rocket could accelerate |
| McLaren F1 road car. | | | | from 0-60 mph in 4.3 seconds and had a top speed |
| One can therefore expect that the Formula One | | | | of 129 mph. |