Indholdsfortegnelse for April 1960 i MotorTrend

The checkered flag flies. The run is over. After 12 hours of full-throttle driving, the car (an EX219 Austin-Healey Sprite) is back where it started—the holder of 15 newly set World’s Records. (Records are in Class G, for cars of 750 cc to 1100 cc engine displacement.) Before the grueling run, Champion engineer Dick Jones (center) helps Austin-Healey mechanics select the right spark plugs. (A standard Champion type was used.) Each plug had to fire over two million times in 12 hours—without a single misfire. And without overheating! The Champions performed perfectly. Timing equipment used to clock the record run is so precise it can split a second into 1000 parts. The Champion-sparked Austin-Healey maintained an average speed of 138.75 mph for 12 solid hours. It went 1000 miles at…

SHARING the basic Corvair body, both the Buick and Olds small cars will disguise it with individual styling, longer rooflines, more luxurious appointments, and lengthier wheelbases. Doors will remain the same, but the rear glass comes farther forward. Both models (to be introduced early in ’61) will be longer than the Corvair but much more compact than their own current standard models. The B-O cars will share a common engine to be built at Buick on a line now being installed. As previously reported, it will be a shortened V8, with aluminum block and head and cast-iron sleeves, developing over 150 hp from 215 cubic inches. Engine will be front-mounted, with transmission and solid rear axle as a unit in the rear—following Corvair’s flat floor design. As with Buick, the…

ADVERTISED AS “THE BIG NEW MERCURY” the 1960 model certainly is big. Nearly 18¼ feet long with a 126-inch wheelbase, interior space is proportionately large. The test car, a Montclair four-door hardtop, was the roomiest passenger vehicle MOTOR TREND has so far encountered in the I960 domestic models. Add to the spacious interior an illusion created by a long, wide hood and low forward location of the padded dash cowl, and the interior seems even bigger. Obviously, the Mercury is not compact, makes no attempt to be, but gets surprising fuel economy (see mileage chart) from a big 430-cubic-inch engine pulling a curb weight of 4315 pounds. You will need a long garage and a mildly graded driveway ramp to clear the rear overhang, but Mercury engineers and stylists have…

IF THE IDEA OF A TIRE with tread that could be snapped on and off hadn’t come from a major manufacturer, we would have dismissed it as unfeasible. But Pirelli have been in the business a long time. Thanks to Art and Joe Lerner of Five Star (distributors for Pirelli) and Pierro Sierra (Pirelli representative in Los Angeles), a set of these tires were shipped fast freight from Italy, expressly for MOTOR TREND test. The test car was an Alfa Romeo Sprint. The first part of the test was the actual drive to the snow, over 65-mph highways. The wider, flatter section and zero-degree angle of the wire cord did not detract from cornering ability, but the tires required different pressures from the stock Cinturatos. With 25 psi in each…

RUGGEDNESS, the ability to stand the wear and tear of everyday use, has become a big factor in the public’s appraisal of a product they are preparing to buy. Most of our early automobiles were extremely rugged—they had to be just to withstand the vibration of their huge solid-mounted engines, poor springing, hard tires, and pavement comprised of a series of chuckholes laid end-to-end. Among the most rugged of these pioneering motor vehicles was the Dodge. Some of these cars of World War I vintage were still running strong in the era before World War II. While highways and tires have improved, the fantastic growth of the American motor car is due largely to its dependability, nationwide service facilities and ease of operation, but ruggedness is still a big factor.…

A LIVE AXLE with tapered roller bearings is offered to power both rear wheels when turning—quite helpful in hot turns on a sportscar-type course with hard lefts and rights. Made by the makers of Thunderbug karts, who offer six engine options and the live axle. For information, contact Thunderbug, Schmarje Tool Co., Muscatine, Iowa. HEADERS for Clinton A-400 and A-490, and West Bend two-stroke engines are offered to replace the stock muffler or stack. For Clintons, flared-end header is cast aluminum, buffed to high luster with clearance for all centrifugal clutch drives. Musket-flared design for West Bend is same material and finish. Both add to appearance and make the little engines roar. $9.95 each from Steen’s, 19 E. Valley Blvd., Alhambra, Calif. THREE ITEMS from one manufacturer are a thin…

THE NEW 220-SE MERCEDES-BENZ sedans, in the hands of private owners but massively supported by works personnel under competition manager and ex-racing driver Karl Kling, annihilated the opposition in the 29th Monte Carlo Rally, taking first, second, third and fifth places and winning the team prize. Winners were Walter Schock, fruit and vegetable importer, and Rolf Moll, road safety officer, both of Stuttgart. They completed the two laps of the terribly difficult mountain circuit with a total of only 15 seconds error at the many time controls en route. In fourth place came a Sunbeam Rapier driven by Peter Harper and Raymond Baxter. For the second time in succession, the Ladies’ Prize went to Pat Moss and Ann Wisdom on an Austin A-40. Two class awards went to Sunbeam, one…

One of the most important events of the NASCAR Safety and Performance Trials is the running of the Pure Oil Economy Trials. Interest was high for all classes (grouped according to piston displacement), but the question most often heard was, “What do you think the compact cars will do?” The results are official now and the answer is plain: In the hands of a careful driver, with quality gasoline in the tank, the new compact cars can deliver the kind of mileage you’ve always been hoping for, and then some. The average of all five compact cars was a thrifty 38 mpg. Whether you drive a big car or a compact one, if you want top economy, doesn’t it make good sense to use the gasolines that set the records…

BIGGEST TOPICS OF DISCUSSION in Daytona among the fans, drivers, dealers and press were the go-go-go Valiants and the super-hot Pontiacs. They were the real Daytona demons, sweeping practically every race. Sent to the dealers with the factory-modified, 148-horse engines, the Valiants were de-gutted as much as possible to lighten weight and still stay within the rules, had beefier suspension units and special brakes. On both the 2½-mile oval and the 3.8-mile road course-and-oval, the Valiants stomped on the competition. In the first 10-lap run, they swept the first seven places at an average 88.154 mph. In the second 10-lapper over the oval only, Valiants were 1-2-3, averaging 122.282 mph. The story behind how the Valiants were able to so completely outclass the other compacts is in the hopping up…

IT ALL STARTED when George Romney, a man with the courage of his convictions, insisted that the American motoring public was entitled to, and would buy, a sturdy, compact, economical and practical automobile. He has been proving it ever since American Motors began producing the Rambler line of cars, a product that has continued to grab a big piece of the new car market without a complete yearly restyle or an attempt to conduct a horsepower race at the expense of fuel economy. There is good evidence to indicate that the decision of the Big Three to enter the compact field was aimed more at getting some of Rambler’s business than competing with the imports. American Motors not only proved the worth of compact cars but probably set many of…

THE PROSPECTIVE KART BUYER faces a perplexing problem. While buyers of Detroit cars decide between a couple dozen cars, and those who prefer imports choose from an array of about 60, a kart buyer must make up his mind from nearly 300 domestic makes that are available! The choice can be somewhat narrowed if prospective buyers keep in mind that there are certain rules and regulations governing competitive kart racing. The basic rules were originally set down by the pioneering Go Kart Club of America and have since become standard among the several other national associations. While many karts are manufactured within the limits of such regulations, there are those that fall short. The wise buyer should avail himself of a set of regulations (write to the GKCA, P.O. Box…

Acceleration D-1 RANGE 0-45 mph 7.9 secs. 0-60 12.0 Quarter-mile 17.7 secs., 76 mph 30-50 4.6 45-60 4.1 50-80 10.9 D-2 RANGE 0-45 mph 8.3 secs. 0-60 13.1 Quarter-mile 18.6 secs., 75 mph 30-50 5.0 45-60 4.8 50-80 11.1 Top Speed Comfortable cruising From 50 to 90 mph Maximum speed 110-115 mph Stopping Distance From 60 mph to standstill 217 ft. (In 4.7 secs. with maximum of 0.78-G deceleration) Stop after maximum acceleration to end of ¼-mile 317 ft. (In 5.7 secs. with maximum of 0.82-G deceleration) Gar Mileage…

THE NOMADIC WANDERINGS OF GYPSIES or the fantastic migration Westward in the days of the covered wagon are mere junkets compared to the cross-country touring habits of the American motorist. Yearly millions of Americans pack their “necessities” and their families into a car that serves as daily transportation and travel thousands of miles. Good highways to choice vacation spots shorten travel times to where a thousand-mile weekend drive is taken in stride. The one-, two-, or three-week vacationer might stretch this out to four or five thousand miles, towing a house trailer or a boat. The fantastic number of “necessities” required on a family motoring trip can soon crowd passengers out of a place to sit unless the car has the capacity of a small truck. But who wants to…

1. BRAKES Total-contact drum hydraulics, identical front and rear, have bonded linings. Effective lining area is 230 sq. ins., pretty fair for 2-ton car. Single-stop deceleration is excellent (60-0 mph in 4.3 secs. in 180 ft.). Repeated stopping results in fade, since 11-in. cast-iron drums are pretty snug inside 14-in. wheels shielded by 8-in.-wide tires. Power brake pedal has only 4.6 ins. travel (6 ins. non-power), but since leg effort is doubled by engine vacuum, it does not have to be depressed very far. 2. ENGINE, TRANSMISSION The big (same as DeSoto) ram-induction 383-cu.-in. engine and 3-speed TorqueFlite transmission make a pretty potent package. It seems a shame to run the car at anything under 100 mph (indicated 120). The cubic inches give strong low-end torque, tuned intake provides a…

HERE ARE THE LAST MONTHLY WINNERS in our Project IDEAS design contest. These entries will be judged with previous winners in the respective classes for the three Grand Prizes, jointly awarded by MOTOR TREND and Revell, Inc. Judging will follow a review-study of all class winners and the final selections will be announced in a near-future issue.…

Valiants used ram-type manifold with a four-throat Carter carb, dual ignition points, special cam, stiff valve springs, and domed pistons that raised compression ratio to 10.5:1. They had problems with burnt pistons, but apparently ironed them out. HP was upped from 101 to 148 (advertised), to 180 (estimated).…

1. BRAKES Wagner servo-type hydraulics with cast-iron drums and bonded linings total out to 136.3 sq. ins. of effective braking area, or 88 sq. ins. per ton. Low-speed stopping is adequate with plenty of master cylinder pressure available through good mechanical linkage at the pedal, eliminating need for power assist, but the car lacks stopping power to match its speed capabilities in the higher ranges. Compact cars of this type should take advantage of their maneuverability and fairly light weight to increase stopping power by adding just a few more square inches of lining area. Self-adjusting brakes of the same area are optional, as is vacuum assist. 2. ENGINE, TRANSMISSION Long-stroke, in-line ohv six combines fuel efficiency and low-speed torque. With a piston displacement of 195.6 cu. ins., the 8.7:1…

HOFFCO Newest addition to this well-known Of karts is the Hurricane (upper right), featuring a live rear axle for powering both wheels and an enclosed steering shaft fitted with bearings top and bottom. Light magnesium wheels come as standard equipment as do dash-mounted on/off switches, chain guards (a recent GKCA ruling) and Comet clutches. Engine options are Clinton, West Bend and Power Products, in dual or single combinations, so the buyer can choose a Hurricane to fit any of the racing classes. (Hoffco Inc., 409 N. Eighth St., Richmond, Ind.) DART The newest trend in karting is the switch to live rear axles, and the Dart Super “K” series cars include this feature on all models. The model at lower right is twin Power Products powered, though also available are…

1. BRAKES Power brake option ($43.20), a vacuum-assisted Bendix unit, eases the strain of stopping over two tons of automobile with 204 sq. ins. of effective lining area. As seen by the braking distance chart on the previous page, the riveted asbestos linings operating 11-in. cast-iron drum are hard pressed to stop the car from 60 mph, and repeated use without sufficient cooling time produces noticeable fade. 2. ENGINE, TRANSMISSION Mercury’s big 430-cu.-in. V8 with 2-bbl. carburetor provides amazing fuel economy, even with automatic transmission. Naturally, with 10:1 compression ratio, premium fuel is required, but the advertised 310 hp gives easy cruising, plenty of acceleration for passing, and the ability to pass up quite a few gas stations. The Merc-O-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission, standard for the Montclair, was equipped with…

1. ENGINE, TRANSMISSION Test-car engine was Tri-Power option, 389-cu.-in. ohv V8 with 3 2-bbl. carburetors and 10.75:1 compression ratio. Advertised horsepower is 348, and premium fuel is required. Engine is smooth and powerful and makes a nice combination with 4-speed Hydra-Matic transmission. Fingertip control to intermediate gear for downhill engine braking and winding road acceleration is a nice feature, especially handy for saving brakes when hauling maximum loads. 2. FRONT SUSPENSION Ball-joint independent front suspension with inner ends of upper control arms pivoting on threaded bushings is suspended on coil springs and snubbed with Delco double-acting tubular shocks. Wide track, 64 ins., is still a desirable feature that adds stability to ride and control. Recirculating ball-bearing Saginaw steering, power-assisted, has overall ratio of 22:1 and a steering-wheel ratio of 4.6…

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MAGNIFICENT IS THE WORD to describe this truly classic example of Rolls-Royce beauty and engineering. Shipped to this country in 1930, the chassis (one of 100 built in England with left-hand drive) was fitted with a special body by Brewster—and reportedly sold for $23,750 new in 1933. From its German silver radiator shell to its gently sloping rear deck this Phantom II model bespeaks luxury. The front seat is upholstered in fawn-colored leather, the rear in matching broadcloth. Provision was made for a chauffeur division, though glass was not fitted in this car. As with every Rolls-Royce, this car has many unusual features. The mechanical brakes are helped by a servo assist taken off the driveshaft—the faster the car is going, the greater the braking force exerted by this system.…

DO-IT-YOURSELF fiberglass auto fans tend to be hardy, pioneering types. We hope they don’t feel hurt at the Devin “D”—a car that anyone who can handle a wrench can bolt together. There is absolutely no cutting, welding or drilling required. Just bolt on the stock Volkswagen components shown, have the front end aligned and drive away. Reflecting real care and workmanship, the “D” is completely wired, painted, upholstered and ready to go except for engine and running gear. The price, less those components, is $1495 and a check of local wrecking yards will nearly always turn up a used VW sans body for under $500. This puts you on the street in a sporty roadster for about $2000. The alternative is the car with all new VW components for $2950…