BABY FORDS

Opunake Times, 16 August 1932, Page 3

BABY FORDS

A GREAT JOB. rAimCULAHS TO HAND. Whatever Mr Henry Ford says or does is regarded throughout the civilised world as “news, and no more interesting example of this could be imagined than liis decision to build at the vast Dagenham works in East London, an eight horse power car. According, to reliable advice received in Opunake, these Baby Fords have now been in production in England for some mouths and large numbers of them aie appearing on the roads. Inquiries pea ring on the roads. Inquiries among owners show that these machines are giving satisfaction in service, and much praise is bestowed in their riding qualities, particularly on rough surfaces. As these small cars will shortly make their appearance in New Zealand, a short description may be of interest to the general pub-

lic. The engine is a compact unit the bore and stroke being 2.23 x 3.64, and the R.A.C. rating 7.95. Ignition is the orthodox coil and distributor system, the distributor being driven by skewgears from the timing gear. A Zenith vertical carburetter is fitted to the near side, a hot-spot manifold being included. Petrol is carried in a very strong tank secured to the steel scuttledash, the feed being, of course, gray-

ity. The gear box provides three forward speeds and is of the modern synchomesh type, providing very easy changing and silence in all ratios. The final drive is spiral bevel, and the rear unit is neat, accessible and strong. Four-wheel brakes of Ford design are used, the layout being similar to the familiar Model A brakes, which have given such excellent service. The appearance of the body work is attractive, and a close examination reveals strength and cleverness in design. The doors of the saloon are wide, and give easy access. Both front seats are sliding, with a ratchet lock’, and the driving position is quite satisfactory. The near side front bucket seat is ingeniously mounted so that by tilting the squab the cushion is caused to slide forward. This gives extra room for entering and leaving the rear seat. The floor and running boards are at quite a low level, and two wells give extra leg-room to the rear passengers and serve as footrests. Headroom is decidedly good, the pedals are reasonably spaced, and the accelerator is of the hinged plate type mounted on the right. The dashboard is flanked by cubby-holes, and carries the usual instruments — speedometer, petrol gauge, etc. On the road the appearance of

this car is distinctly good. The staggered radiator, wide and low swept mudguard, and rounded lines combining to give an ef-

fect of speed, and distinction. The maximum speed of the saloon is round about 60 miles an hour, and the petrol consumption is 45-50 m.p.g. As is usual with Ford, the price is very competitive, and the service is guaranteed.

We are of the opinion that future purchasers of light cars in many countries besides England will be interested in this new Ford production.