Mexborough and Swinton Times December 9, 1927
New Ford Car
Its Virtues Revealed.
A Remarkable Production.
Power : Speed : Beauty : Economy.
The new Ford car, which has been so eagerly anticipated, was introduced to the British market, last Friday morning at Rolland Park, London.
The veil of secrecy which has been shrouding this car ever since it was first decided upon was raised, and the British public was able to see that they were being offered an up-to-date chassis fitted with any one of six types of bodywork, costing from £145 to £215.
The new Ford has a new engine of 14.9-h.p., a dry plate clutch, three speeds and a reverse with centre change, and final drive by bevel gears. The whole car is laid out on conventional lines, the only exception being the springing system, which is by transverse inverted semi-elliptic springs, similar to those which were employed on the famous models ” T ”
The new car has .been designed without any reference to its predecessor. The idea of the manufacturers lhas been to supply a car conformable to British and European ideas, while still maintaining individuality of construction. It will be remembered that the model “T” was liable to an annual tax of £23. The new car has only to pay £15. The makers state however, that the new engine develops no less than 50 pet cent. more than the best model “T” engine.
The engine has four cylindors, cast mono-bloc, having a bore of 3.05 inches and stroke of 4.25 inches. The equivalent metric dimensions are 77 ½ min. x 108 mm., which brings the engine within the two-litre class. The cylinder head is detachable, and is of a special shape, to give the greatest power, the smoothest running, and the most rapid acceleration
The valves are all situated at the side of the engine, and are operated by a camshaft which is driven from the crankshaft.
Engine Output.
The cylinders and upper half of the crank chamber are cast in one piece, with a three bearing crankshaft. The underpan merely serves as an oil container. The pistons are made of a special aluminium alloy, which allows of a higher engine speed and reduced vibration. Each crankshaft before it is fitted is balanced both statically and dynamically.
The output of the engine is stated to be 28 b.h.p. at 2,606 r.p.m.
On the off-side of the engine is mounted the carburetter, which is fed with fuel from a steel dashboard tank. The petrol pipe as a filter at each end, and the control rods for the throttle have spring loaded ball joints, which prevent rattle, and which can be easily detached.
On the near side of the engine are the dynamo and the starter, which are two separate units. The starter is of standard pattern engaging with the tooth rim of the fly wheel. The dynamo is waterproof, and is mounted high up behind the radiator, and is driven by a ” V ” belt, which also drives the two-bladed fan. The rear end of the fan spindle operates an impellor in the front of the cylinder block, thus assisting the circulation of the water. A
The ignition system of the new Ford is particularly interesting. The old fly wheel generator, with its four tremular coils, has been abandoned, and the new system consists of a, dynamo which feeds the accumulator, from which the current is drawn for the coil distributor and starting plugs.
Protection of Dynamo.
As stated the dynamo is mounted where it cannot be affected either by oil or water. The coil of the a plain type is mounted high up, and is carried in a waterproof ease. As evidence of the care taken to make the ignition as weather proofed as possible, it may be mentioned that the cable from the coil. to the distributor is carried in a case hardened steel tube.
The contact breaker and distributor is mounted on top of the cylinder block, and is driven by a verticle shaft. It is thus instantly accessible, and carried as high above the ground as possible. The Current is led from the distributor to the four plugs by short stripe of bronze spring. A further novelty is to be found in the new Ford lubrication system. The vertical shaft which operates the distributor is extended into the crank chamber, at the base of which is the oil pump. Oil is forced to the valve chamber, when it flows to the main, bearings of the crankshaft. Trough lubrication is employed for the big ends, and the resulting splash oils the camshaft, the cylinder walls, and the gudgeon pins. The amount of oil in the crank chamber is indicated by a dip stick, while the combined , filler and breather is in a most accessible position.
The new radiator is of very distinctive design., and is reminiscent of the Lincoln. The engine,, clutch, and gearbox form one unit, a system which Henry Ford first introduced on the Model ” T. The unit is supported on the frame, by indiarubber blocks. The clutch is of the multiple dry disc type, while the gearbox provides three speeds and a reverse, with centre change. The gear lever is long, and lies most handily to the steering wheel. At the rear of the gearbox is an enclosed universal joint. The propeller shaft is encased in a steel torque tube, staid from the ends of the actual casing. It will thus be seen that every part of the transmission is enclosed.
Rear, Axle Design.
The rear axle is of interesting design. It consists of a central banjo casing and two axle sharped housings. The weight of the car is carried on roller bearings, while the axle shafts have merely to transmit the drive. The final reduction is 4.66 to 1.
The new frame differs fundamentally from that employed on the Model “T.” The side members are of deep channel section and are stiffly braced by cross members at each end. In addition, there is a sturdy cross member behind the gearbox. The side members are straight from end to end, but the frame tapers towards the front in order to give a good steering lock.
Four Wheel Brakes.
The new Ford has internal expanding four-wheel brakes operated either by foot or by hand The shoes are sales, and the plate on which they are mounted overlap the drums and are claimed to prevent any dirt and damp entering the brake gear. An, interesting point is that all the brake parts are absolutely rust-proof. All brake adjustments can be made from outside the car. The hand brake lever is to the right of the driver, and is so located that access to the driving seat is not interfered with.
The new Ford steering is irreversible and has been designed to be very light in action. A special form of wire-spoked wheel is employed. The detachable wheels are held in position by a number of nuts.
Six Types of Bodies.
If desired, the now Ford may be obtained with a large engine, having a bore of 3.875 inches. The larger engine is intended primarily for the American market, the smaller engine having been introduced as more suitable for the British user, owing to the lower tax.
No fewer than six different types of bodies are offered on the new 14.9 h.p. Ford. Features common to all the bodies are that they are constructed of steel, that they are finished in Pyroxolin, a cellulose lacquer which does not fade, crack, or discolour, and that they are fitted with Triplex glass to the windscreen.
Each car has a most complete equipment. Each has five wire wheels, an electric starter, an. automatic windscreen wiper, a speedometer, a petrol gauge, an ammeter, a dash light, a rear view mirror, a stop light, an oil gauge, and an ignition lock. Houdaille shock absorbers are fitted as standard.
One piece of evidence of the care which has been taken to study the convenience of tale user is afforded by the side lamps, which are mounted on the wings. If any engine adjustment or oil replenishment is necessary after dark, the interior of the lamp can be pulled out and turned round so that the whole of the space underneath the bonnet is illuminated. All lamps are control from a lever on top of the steering wheel, where, also, is the button controlling a powerful electric horn.
The six body types are as follow: The tourer, fitted with four doors and rigid side curtains which open and close with the doors,
The two-seater, with a capacious dickey seat.
The coupe, with filed head and three quarter lights at the rear.
The sports coupe, with fabric head and with a plate-glass window at the rear which may be opened and attached to the roof of the car.
The Tudor Saloon, a most attractive model, I where access to the rear seats is obtained by folding down those at the front.
The Fordor saloon, which, as its name suggests has four doors, and is notably roomy in the interior.
In the Case of each body, several colour combinations are offered.
Price List.
The prices for the new model are as follows :
Chassis £120
Touring Car £150
Two Seater £140
Coupe £180
Sports Coupe £205
Tudor Saloon £185
Fordor Saloon £215
