The Ford Car.

Progress, Volume II, Issue 5, 1 March 1907, Page 173

The Ford Car.

The 1907 Model "K"*Ford is, in many respects, though not radical ones, an improvement on its predecessor and namesake of 1906. The sixcylinder arrangement has been retained on account of its perfect balance and freedom from vibration, as proved by long experience. The motor has higher compression and the radiator 25 per cent more capacity m consequence. In all the details there is improvement, a greater accuracy having been secured by grinding down to half a thousandth of an inch of truth. The gear pump of the former type has been replaced by a centrifugal pump, and the lubrication improved by giving all the tubes separate action, and by maintenance of the level in the base. The carburetter is improved in starting qualities and flexibility, so that it accurately and automatically compensates for every degree of motor speed. A new arrangement in the air intake secures economy of fuel and a more uniform mixture. The planetary system of transmission has been retained by reason of its proved service qualities, but a much needed improvement has been secured by the introduction, between the motor and transmission shafts, of a flexible joint of a nature to permit a sufficient degree of universal movement of the shafts at the intersection, to fully compensate for all possible distortions and strains due to hard driving over bad roads. The wheel base has been widened six inches, more leg room and a direct front style of sitting secured in the body — the only radical change in the design — patent leather wings and a metal shield running its whole length make the car absolutely dust and mud proof, so that " Miss Phebe Snow " might ride in it indefinitely without soiling her immaculate gown or dainty gloves : furthermore all the hubs have been made stronger. The consequence of these improvements is an increase of weight of 100 Tb, the 1907 "X" weighing 2600 lb against the 2500 of its predecessor. The increased power — up to 40 h.p. — makes the new "X" capable of 60 miles an hour with full load of five adults, and the combined flexibility of the six cylinder motor and magneto enables the driver to throttle down to a crawl without the necessity of changing gears or releasing the clutch. The 1907 Model "N" Ford Roundabout. From the original car shown in January, 1906, there is

no change. Some 5000 of them are on the road, and their behaviour on the roughest roads with full loads warrants the makers in continuing the type unaltered in any respect, in its characteristic of lightness and strength As a hill climber the model "N," it is said " has practically no equal in the colony, the proportion of power to weight being abnormally high "