Details for the Driver

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22250, 26 October 1935, Page 11 (Supplement)

Details for the Driver

I " Centrepolse" Ford V-8, touring : sedan, as tested. ■ Engine; Eight cylinders, side valves: • rating, 30.01 horsepower, dovelops 90 '• brake horsepower; compression ratio, : G. 3 to 1. . : Transmission: Three forward speeds, ! with Bynchromesh on second and top; { ratios, 4.11, 6.59 and 11.59 to 1; single : plate clutch. : Suspension: Transverse springs conj trolled by hydraulic shock absorbers. • Dimensions: Wheelbase. 9ft. 4in.: | overall length, 15ft. track, 4ft. ■ 7 8-Pin. front. 4ft. 10} in. rear; road j clearance, 81in.; width, sft 9Jin.: : height, sft. Bin.; weight, 25Jcwt.; : turning circles, 89ft.; steel-spoke ; wheels with 6 x 10 tyres. :

What impressed most in the road test was the car's phenomenal acceleration and top-gear performance. All the test hills were climbed effortlessly, and the impression was gained that the car would go practically anywhere on top gear. The 'gear change is seldom required, but when it is, the synchromesh mechanism ensures an easy change, and only light pressure is required to operate the clutch. In view of the car's exceptional performance, times and speeds achieved in

an exhaustive road tesb by the English journal, The Motor, arc interesting. In acceleration through the gears from a standstill, 50 miles an hour was reached in 9 4-5s and 60 miles an hour in 15 l-ss. The actual maximum speed was in the region of 85 miles an hour, the besttimed quarter-mile being 10 3-ss, equivalent to an average *poed of 84 miles an hour. In spite of its performance, the car will average from 18 to more than 20 miles a gallon, according to the speeds maintained and tho loads carried. Altogether, the touring sedan is a really smart general-purpose car, and is fast, reasonably economical and_ has ample clearance and strength, which make it ideal for either city or country running.