Tag Archive: Model T

Apr
19

What Auto is This?? Early V8 Pioneer Had Ford Beat By 15 Years

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This luxury automobile was introduced in 1917.Its name was known as a low price brand.In an unusual move for head of GM Billy Durant this car was entered into the high price field going against Packard and Pierce Arrow.This touring car featured a very ahead of its time “overhead valve” V8 engine.This would be a first for this high volume car company but not its last. They would not produce another V8 car till 1955. The advanced V8 engine featured a central camshaft, counter balanced crankshaft and detachable crossflow cylinder heads. Horsepower for this V8 wonder was very high for the time 55.The most for this maker till 1932. At 288 cubic inches the little V8 was fed thru a two barrel Zenith updraft carburetor. While Ford’s Model T featured a planetary gear set this car used a very modern 3 speed manual with a leather faced clutch and single reverse gear.  Riding on a 120 inch wheelbase and weighing at 3200 lbs it was over two feet longer and half a ton larger than its 4 cylinder siblings. Featuring full electrical items such as lights and starter as standard equipment its price was $1395.00.Higher than Buick or Hupmobile.That very vaulted pricing would hurt sales.In its first year only 511 units were produced. While the other models of this make would top 111,000 for model year 1917. As much of a mechanical marvel this touring car was it only lasted two years.Production would stop in 1919 with only a total of 1500 being produced. What Auto is This??

 To see the answer and other answers to What Auto is This?? Quiz  go to  www.carlislejohnny.com  or  www.appraisal.carlislejohnny.com 

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Mar
01

What Auto Is This? Econo Mopar Sports Coupe

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This “Not A Dodge” was produced from 1983-1987. It’s name stood for Tourism in Italian. Based on a very VW Rabbit looking sedan it was an early front wheel drive US sports coupe. Unlike other USA companies this car maker introduced a full range of smaller front wheel drive cars sharing common engines and platforms. By doing this they were able to cut costs. This cars platform and engines were used well into the 1990,s  The base engine was 1.6 liter OHC four cylinder built together with French car maker Peugeot. A decent engine it only put out tepid 64 horsepower.

Car and Driver magazine joked about the 1.6 liter engine “Would lose a drag race with a Model T” Most people went for the all new 2.2 liter OHC four cylinder upgrade. Rated at 96 horsepower it would become a mainstay and workhorse. In other models the 2.2 with turbo could reach 200 horsepower. Shifting this Econo Sports Coupe was either a rubbery shifting 5 speed manual or sluggish 3 speed auto. Despite its sedan roots with the performance package and 2.2 liter these coupes provided good handling and peppy acceleration times. Even economy was good with the 2.2 liter and a 5 speed give a good 32 MPG on the highway. This model would be dropped in 1987 never to return.  To see What Auto Is This?? … CLICK HERE 

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May
10

Slang Names For Cars..Part 5 “FORD”

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Ford Motor Company has made some of the most amazing vehicles of all time.The Model T changed the way the world traveled.Classics like the Thunderbird and the Mustang are considered some of the most sought after collectible cars of all time.Like most car companies Ford can produce some real bombs. We could start with the Pinto but except for its flame thrower gas tank the Pinto was an almost good small car compared to the engine eating Vega.Not such a good idea was the nightmare known as the Ford Fairmont and its dumb cousin the Mercury Zephyr.So bad was quality control that 60 Minutes did a story on a Fairmont that rolled of the line with a Ford front and Mercury back. A staggering 90% went into the dealer for warranty work. With that in mind FORD slang is Fix Or Repair Daily  We guess at one time people wanted to buy a Ford Fairmont. A perfect example is this very 1970″s TV commercial..

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Mar
21

What Auto is This?? Quiz 03/20/2011

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This Frugal Sedan was built between 1950-1954. Its founder was known for making quality appliances as well as being The Father of Modern Shipbuilding during WWII. He also was one of the first industry leaders to install full health care and benefits for workers. He would say “A healthy and happy worker produces a quality product“  With his wealth from WWII he decided to go into the automobile businness.  Seeing a need for a new car and inspired by smaller cars of Europe he wanted to make an economy car for the USA. Small by the standards of the day the smallish car was introduced to the car hungry US public in November 1949. The first cars off the assembly line were  132 cubic inch four cylinder models producing 68 horsepower on Labor Day 1950. The six cylinder models were 161 cubic inches producing 80 horsepower.  Production of the “six” would start on July 4th 1950 “Very Patriotic”  The founder of this company wanted to make a car for the masses like the Model T. To secure the funding for the project he had to secure loans from the US government. Thus the “Man” dictated the project. It would have to seat 5 people.Top speed had to be more than 58mph. MPG had to be better than 25mpg and had to be available for public sale by Sept 1950. No problem for “The Father of Modern Shipbuliding”   Using the same method he used in building ships.The fewest components as possible. Early versions would not come with a trunk lid. Options were few and the cars were reliable and stout. Other items not included were glove box,passenger side sun visor and arm rests.The price for the base four cylinder model was under $1300.00 as per agreement with the US government. With all this low pricing and economy the car never caught on. For a few dollars more you could by a Chevy 150 with standard issue six cylinder and more comfort. Oddly in later years it would become a favorite of Hot Rodders due to its small size and quirky looks. “What Auto is This?? 

 To see the answer and other answers to What Auto is This?? Quiz  go to  www.carlislejohnny.com  or  www.appraisal.carlislejohnny.com 

 

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Feb
01

What Auto is This?? ..An Automotive Pioneer Mass Produces Before Ole Henry

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The founder of this company was one of the greatest automotive pioneers of the 19th and 20th centuries. Henry Ford would copy his mass production methods for his Model T. This company was founded in 1905 when its creater left GM to form his own company. They would make vehicles till 1975. The last car was made in 1936 and they would make trucks till 1975. This model was introduced in 1928. Its name evoked “Lightness and speed” as the magazine ads of the day boasted. It would be the first mass production car to use the then new Lockheed’s new hydraulic internal expanding brake system. Its swoopy shape was penned by famous Italian designer Fabio Segardi..another first in the mid-priced automobile field. Advertising guru Ned Jordan is credited with its flamboyant name and with the very “Art Deco” ads of the day. This would change how cars were named for decades to come. In 1933 they would introduce at the cost of two million dollars in production costs the innovative “Self Shifter”..An $85 option on this mid priced sedan. The semi automatic was dependable but never sold well. The costly and slow selling option would hurt the already cash strapped company during the Great Depression. In later years the founder of the company would blame the option on the demise of car production. An option or idea he never approved of. Powering this last of the line was a 90 horsepower 228 cubic inch six cylinder. The company would call it “America’s finest six cylinder engine” Featuring full pressure oil system and automatic choke it was much more sophisticated than Chevy’s Stovebolt six..After 1936 the company would only produce trucks till 1975. What Auto is This??

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Jan
25

What Auto is This?? Quiz ..Billy Durant Creates A Legend

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This make was founded in 1911. Its founder was a famous race car driver in his day. He gained fame driving Buicks for GM’s creator Billy Durant. This model was first introduced to the public in 1913. Its name came from its price at the time. $1000.00. But prices were soon lowered to compete with Ford’s Model T to $750.00

By 1916 This make made enough money for Durant to re-gain control of GM. This make would become part of GM in 1917. This model featured as standard equipment top and side curtains, electric horn, windshield, tools with jack and pump. Other nice touches were full electric lights and starter. Very “chic” for a low price car.

Power came from an valve in head 4 cylinder engine. The engine was fed with a Zenith double jet carb. The trans.was a three speed with a leather faced clutch. Much like its arch rival the Model T this model would survive till the 1920s with slight improvements. What Auto is This??  

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Nov
18

Todays “What Auto is This?? Quiz ..Turn Of The Century Race Car

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One of the original sports cars. The first series of these were produced between 1912-1922. Produced on a 120 inch wheel base. These sporty roadsters were light and fast. The first years 1912-1917 were powered by a 390 cubic inch four cylinder engine. Produced by The Wisconsin Motor Company the engine made 60 horsepower. From 1917-1922 engines were self designed and made. They were 360 cubic inch 16 valve four cylinder featuring aluminum cylinder heads.

Horsepower was as the factory said in the 1917 brochure “Of undisclosed power..but more than enough” Magazines at the time rated it at 100 plus horsepower. All this power and light weight made for a spirited daily driver and potent racer on the weekends. Many famous race drivers of the era drove these to victories. All this racing fun came at a lofty price.

  

In 1917 a Model T would set you back $550.00. This pioneer sports car set you back $2000.00 with no options. Other series followed after 1922 till the companies closing in 1934. None ever captured the romance of the original. What Auto is This??

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