Studebaker “Eight”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 384, 19 June 1928, Page 6

Studebaker “Eight”

POWERFUL AND FAST CAR

Latest Model Has Now Arrived AN event of interest in the motor world is the arrival in Auckland of an eight-cylinder Studebaker car. This car is the last word in motor-car comfort, construction and beauty, and marks a new standard for the oldestablished Studebaker corporation.

rpHE “President straight-eight,’’ as the new car is called, is a big, powerful and spacious car with exceptional acceleration and high maximum speed. Its beauty takes the eye at once, because of the long sweeping lines and the beautiful damson-plum colouring with khaki stream-lining and wheels. Designed for Convenience Furthermore, the designers of this car devoted special attention to the comfort and convenience of the driver and passengers. It would take too long to enumerate all the little fittings that show care and forethought, but the following are indicative of the whole: The spare wheel is locked on. and the key is the same as that for the steering and the doors. A special light is provided to illuminate the steering lock at night. Also, when using the car at night, the roof light in the rear seat lights whenever the door is opened. There are two electric ciga-ge'tte-lighters, one for front seat and one for rear seat passengers. The front wind-shield opens to' give fresh air, but is so made that no rain could come in, but rather rainwater is drained away. The crankcase is provided with a ventilating tube that carries the ’fumes away, underneath the car. The. cable between the self-starter and the button is replaced by a metal lever, to reduce risk of fire. The dickey seats in the seven-seater are properly sprung, and meet together so neatly that three persons could sit abreast in comfort. The Engine However, one does not buy a large and expensive car for minor comfort contrivances, and attention can be drawn to the large and powerful motor. The new President eight has an L-head engine with the ample piston displacement of 313 cubic inches, a rather short stroke of 4 3-Bin, and a bore of 3 3-Bin. It develops a maximum of 100 h.p., and at CO m.p.h. runs at the moderate speed of 2,800 r.p.m., due to the moderately low rear axle ratio of 4.3 to 1, in conjunction with 31 x 6.20 tyres. The wheel-base is 131 in. Beautifully Smooth Engine In addition to the rapid acceleration and high top speed of this car, smooth engine performance is assured. First,

because of the moderate gear ratio; second, because of the short stroke; third, because of the heavy crankshaft running in five main bearings statically and dynamically balanced; fourth, because of the use of a vibration dampener; and fifth, ebcause lightweight Nelson-Bohnalite pistons are used. To ensure sustained full-load performance, particular care was taken to bring water close to the valve seats and in addition the cylinder barrels are fully surrounded by water. The dome-shaped combustion chamber is used, and the compression ratio is 4.7 to 1. Lubrication Lubrication is the full-pressure, force-feed type with added refinements such as an oil perculator. All oil pipes have been eliminated in this engine, except one large pipe, and replaced by drilled passages in the crankcase. Points on the chassis such as shackles need only be lubricated very rarely, as they are equipped with a magazine and feed themselves. For Easy Riding Semi-elliptic springs are used all round. Rear springs are the exceptionally large size of 60 inches by 2£ inches, and the front springs are 38 inches by 2 inches. Both front and rear springs are given a backward castor making the car ride with exceptional ease on rough roads. Monroe hydraulic shock absorbers are fitted. The Brakes The new amplied-action, self-energ-izing four-wheel brakes are mechanically actuated. The braking system exerts the most powerful and positive braking action known, automatically multiplying the pedal pressure 3£ times. They are of the internalexpanding type. The Complete Car The sum total of all these features and the hard research and workmanship that went into the car is the Studebaker President eight, a powerful car offering 80 miles an hour, wonderful acceleration, comfort and beauty, and in appearance and performance competing directly with the world’s finest cars, yet at a remarkably low cost.