NEW 8-H.P. FORD

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 November 1932, Page 11

NEW 8-H.P. FORD

Model Reaches Greymouth

LOW PETROL CONSUMPTION. Not the smallest attraction this week in Greymouth is the exhibition which is being given of the new Ford 8 h.p. English car, to be seen at the showroom, Greymbuth Motors Ltd. The new model, which is made at Dagenham, near London, is a 4-cylin-der car, and is different from any other small car made in Britain. One is immediately struck with the large amount of space allowed for both the front and rear seat occupants. In many cars of the “baby” type great inconvenience is caused back seat passengers by reason of the fact that insufficient room is provided for their comfort, but in the new Ford model there is ample leg and head room for even unusually tall people. This advantage alone will commend the car to many prospective purchasers. SPECIFICATIONS. One of the first questions asked of a new car of such a type is what mileage it will give to the gallon. The Ford will give from 35 to "ID m.p.g. On Sunday last a new Ford was driven to Oxford and back to Christchurch, a distance of 82 miles, on two gallons of petrol. The engine is four-cylin-dered, with a bore of 2.23 in. and a stroke of 3.64. It has a detachable cylinder head, the engine being threepoint suspended, with rubber supports. The valves are of silicon chromium steel, with mushroom-ended stems. With regard to the crankshaft, there are three main bearings, the diameter of each of which is l|in. The diameter of the crank pins is IJin, the material used being Ford carbon manganese steel. Aluminium alloy is used in the pistons. Three rings are fitabove the gudgeon pin, the bottom one controlling the oil consumption. ■ The new Ford has three forward speeds and reverse, the ratios being 5.43, 9.58, and 16.67 to one; reverse being 21.80 to one. The gears are of the synchro-mesh type, ensuring easy, and certain changes with heli-cally-cut constant mesh and second speed, pinions. The clutch is of the dry, single plate type. FREEDOM FROM RATTLE. Four-wheel brakes are fitted to the car, the foot brake acting on them all. The wheels are Ford electrically welded steel-spoked ones, with roller bearings in the front hubs, spiral bearings in the rear hubs and wheel-' base rims. Large balloon tyres are carried, 4.50 by 17in. The steering gear is light and positive, self-align-ing, and all connections are rubbermounted,. ensuring long life and freedom from rattle.

The over-all length over bumpers is lift, ilin, and the over-all width is 4ft. 6in. The over-all height sft. 4in and the ground clearance approximately 9in. When, the lid. of the bonnet is lifted it discloses the battery, which is mounted in a most accessible position, in consequence of which it is nbt likely to become neglected, as is so often the case with regard to batteries placed beneath the footboards. The capacity of the petrol tank is 6i gallons, and there is a visible petrol gauge on the instrument board. The ignition system is a Ford battery (6-volt) and coil, with automatic variation or firing point. THE CHASSIS. Among details, anyone who has an opportunity of inspecting the chassis is particularly directed to the pressedsteel work found throughout the chassis, and in the structure of the dashboard and scuttle in particular, and, as an instance of neat detail work to the method of mounting the hydraulic rear shock absorbers to the ends of the radius rods running from the points of finchorage of the rear transverse half-elliptic spring to a point about half-way up the extremely strong torque tube. Indeed, with the Ford stool saloon rigidly attached to the chassis, this 8 h.p. Ford is almost certainly capable of being rolled over completely without risk of serious injury Io the occupants. Altogether the smallest car in _ the Ford range, now that it has arrived at the state when it is being produced at Dagenham in large numbers, is certain to become a very familiar object on the roads ol the Dominion. A range of colours is offered, and the price of the Tudor Ford in this model is £228. The Fordor model, which has not yet arrived will be sold at £249.— (Advt).