New Range of American Fords
Page 52
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
erHE 1939 American range of Ford 1 commercial vehicles was recently announced. In an effort to combine mass production with the availability of trucks to suit operators' individual requirements, the policy is to build to a basic design and to provide numerous optional features. For example, there are 42 body and chassis types, two clutches, five transmissions and eight axle ratios, in addition to numerous wleel and tyre sizes.
The foremost innovation is the use of hydraulic brakes. Driver's comfort is receiving more attention than formerly. The forward-control arrangement permits a 114-in, platform on a 96-in. wheelbase. A detail ol the hydraulicbrake system is that the fluid line runs from each axle along the radius rod to the frame, a short length of flexible pipe being used near the hinge. The new models have been increased in weight slightly to afford greater durability.
B42
Crankshaft main journals are of larger. diameter, A new engine, designed originally for the new Ford Mercury car, has been adapted for lorry work. It develops 95 b.h.p., is of the V8 type and has cylinders measuring Si ins. by Si ins. The torque is 170-lb.-ft. at 2,100 r.p.m.
A body improvement is the lining of the doors with steel instead of fibreboard panels, which were subject to deterioration in wet weather. The general appearance of the machines has been improved.