The “Plymouth” Car

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 462, 18 September 1928, Page 7

The “Plymouth” Car

Smart Engine and Fine Bodywork A FEW wee ks ago every person in the province was puzzling l * ie c * ever “teazer” advertising connected with the word 1 lymouth.” “What is Plymouth?” was almost the customary greeting. Lhat “Plymouth” was a new car by Chrysler was soon known, but the ear itself was not unveiled to a curious public untaMast week. It turned out to be a light car, built for me Chevrolet class” of buyer, but with the well-known Chrysler qualities of superior workmanship, finish and engineering design.

WITH each passing year the public looks for improved products and more attractive values. Chrysler quickly appreciated that this is especially true in the field of the low-priced car, in which there has grown a demand for a finer, smarter motor-car. Chrysler’s answer to this demand is the “Plymouth.”

A “distinctive” low priced car is, therefore, the best description of the

“Plymouth.” The most outstanding characteristics are the beautiful appearance and the smart engine performance. For example, the Plymouth has a new style of radiator front which gives an effect on car length greater than is really the case. Similarly its speed on hills is something quite new in a light, low-priced car. It is apparent, even from the outside, that the new Plymouth bodies are roomy. In either the front or rear compartment of the closed models the generous amount of head room and leg room provided in this lowhung car is astonishing. The Plymouth is marked by a higher and broader radiator, hood and cowl assembly. From front to rear, fashionable streamlines, combined with a new style molding, rakish hood and low-hung chassis, gives the feeling that this sleek automobile is fleeter, snappier in getaway and more powerful on hills than the rank and file of cars in its price class. - THE ENGINE Chrysler’s latest engineering achievement, the “Silver Dome” highcompression engine, insures Plymouth owners of increased power, more speed, faster acceleration and greater climbing ability from any grade of fuel. This four-cylinder 45 horsepower engine delivers a speed of 60 miles and more an hour, with a quietness and smoothness that are almost incredible. And this performance could only be realised through the group of advantages which are literally unknown in any would-be competitor—such as full force feed lubrication, special manifolding, crankcase ventilation; aluminium alloy, ventilated-bridge type pistons; silchrome steel exhaust valves; oil filter, air cleaner, etc.

In addition, however, there are a number of entirely new features on the Plymouth seen in New Zealand for the first time. For example, there is an ingenious torque neutraliser, which contributes to smooth engine operation by preventing transmission of torque impulses to the car body. This, by the way, is additional to the rubber engine mountings which also lessen engine vibration.

Another technical, but nevertheless interesting, innovation is the rear axle, semi-floating and equipped with tapered roller bearings throughout. Its housing is a special Chrysler design which enhances riding by reducing the unsprung weight—-an important achievement in road comfort. SPRINGS AND BRAKES Internal expanding hydraulic fourwheel brakes are standard. The central reservoir automatically maintains its own pressure. The springs are the long semi-ellip-tic type, equipped with plates to overcome rebound on rough roads. Special self-adjusting shackles practically everlasting—hold the rear ends of both front and rear springs. PERFORMANCE OF THE ROAD Whatever praise is given to this car standing in the showroom fades into insignificance compared with one’s impressions after a road test of the Plymouth. “Headlight," hardened listener to many a tale of wonderful speeds, was amazed at what the Plymouth can do. He started away from a dead stop outside the Y.W.C.A. in Upper Queen Street, changed into second, then to top gear and had to hold the car back from running into the traflic in Karangahape Road at 20 m.p.h. The steering was delightfully easy, although full balloons are fitted. Coming down Queen Street again, the four-wheeled brakes were tested. They hold so easily and yet strongly that they even held the car on the rise —1 in 16—by the pressure of the fingers of one hand. And out on the open road he can only say that the 60 miles an hour claimed by the makers is no dream. The Chrysler people are undoubtedly presenting one of the surprise cars of the years in the Plymouth.