MALCOLM CAMPBELL ON THE NEW FORD V8

Northland Age, Volume 3, Issue 15, 12 January 1934, Page 9

MALCOLM CAMPBELL ON THE NEW FORD V 8

Writing in the “Field,” England, Captain Sir Malcolm Campbell pays tribute to the Ford V 8 car, a model of which he has recently acquired. He says : “If any motorist, however experienced he may be, does not get a positive thrill when he first takes over the wheel of one ,of the New Ford V-8 Cars, he must be blase in the extreme. “For real acceleration they will always want a great deal of beating, and for speed up to, say 65 m.p.h., the only type of car that could show them a clear pair of heels would be a well-tuned and powerful racing car; but with this difference, however: Whereas the racing car would obviously be faster, yet that speed would be obtained at the expense of silence and comfort. On the other hand, the Ford gets into its stride so quickly, and with such consummate ease and silence, that its performance in this respect must be tried to be believed. “The ‘get away’ of the Ford might be compared to the take-off of an aeroplane, in which, when the throttle is opened, the tail quickly rises, the machine gathers speed with lightning rapidity, and after the first bump or two over the uneven ground of the aerodrome, is in the air. The Ford gets hold of it in a similar manner, the only difference being that there is no bumping and the exhaust is dead silent. “Out in the open country the car positively glides over the roads —4O, 50, 60 m.p.h., or far more if desired, with only the slightest depression on the accelerator pedal, no effort, no fuss, no noise whatever. “In my opinion the V-8 stands in a class entirely by itself. Its running costs are comparatively low for a car of this size and power, as a consumption of better than 20 miles j per gallon can be obtained under normal touring conditions. “Anyone requiring a car which possesses wonderful acceleration, and smooth and quiet running, should certainly apply for a demonstration. “It is a positive delight to handle, and I can only say that I have never driven any car previously which does its work with less effort and where motoring becomes more closely akin to gliding.”