The Ford Model "N."

Progress, Volume I, Issue 12, 1 October 1906, Page 342

The Ford Model " N."

This is the Ford four-cylinder 15-18 h.p. runabout which was announced last summer for sale in the colony at the very low price of ; its appearance marks a revolution in the automobile trade The general public has been clamouring for a substantial car at a price commensurate with other manufactured commodities, and that such a car would eventually be offered has been the conviction of many who have closely followed the progress of motor-vehicle manufacture, and for that car they have been waiting. To build such a car, however, means more than is realised by the average citizen ; it means that thousands of such cars must be constructed to reduce cost, and it is obvious that such a car dare not have one weak spot ; every feature, every principle, must be thoroughly proven and its merit accurately determined. It must be of standard construction, free from freakish ideas and theoretical innovations, and once built, to remain without change or alteration for several years. So every detail of the Ford

model "N " has been thoroughly tested before beginning its manufacture, and the car is a known quantity from carburetter to muffler, from tyre to top. The specifications are * wheel base, 84" ; tread, 56" ; wheels, 28" ; fitted with 2\, interchangeable with 3", clincher tyres ; engine, 4 cylinder vertical, 15" to 18", in front under the hood ; planetary change-speed gear, with two forward and one reverse speeds ; shaft drive ; weight about 800 lbs. The engine is of 3|" bore by i\" stroke ; the cylinders are cast in pairs, with integral water lackets , the valves are single-piece forgings, inlet and exhaust being interchangeable. In is interesting to note that the flange at the bottom of the cylinder is extended so that it includes the bosses into which these guides are forced, thus insuring perfect alignment of valves and push rods. A drop forged crank shaft of the three-bearing type is used, the cam shaft and cams are cut from one solid piece of steel, eliminating all possibility of the cams working loose, a common occurrence heretofore. The pistons are fitted with four rings 111 two grooves. The upper ring is single and eccentric, diagonally split. In the lower groove are three rings — two thm, narrow ones, which are pressed outward by a wide ring beneath , this is commonly called bull-ring construction Contrary to the usual practice, the flywheel is in front, and its propeller shaped spokes suck air through the Whit-

lock cellular radiator, creating a forced draught. The change-speed gear is of the planetary type and no internal gears are used, each steel gear meshes with a bronze one, an aluminium frame supports the change gear, and the entire power plant is very compact and has a three-point support. The rear axle is equipped with Hyatt roller bearings throughout, and is especially well constructed, the two-side radius, or strut rods, fastened to the axle near the rear wheels, are joined to the upper end of the sleeve enclosing the driving shaft — giving another triangular support. The sleeve surrounding the shaft terminates m a large globe joint in the heavy frame cross bar ; withm the globe is the flexible universal joint connecting the power plant with the driving shaft. The carburetter is of the latest approved automatically compensating type. A constantly correct mixture of gasoline and air is supplied, regardless of engine speed or throttle position. The body is suspended at three points — on the full elliptic springs in the rear and swivelled on the centre of the transverse, half-elliptic spring in front, the front spring being shackled at each end near the steering knuckle yoke. The New Zealand agents for the Ford Motor Company are the Automobile Co. of N.Z., Ltd., of Wellington, who are prepared to fix agencies for unallotted territory for the sale and representation of this car.