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As published in The Australian Motorist - December 1st, 1928
The Silver Anniversary Model Buick on the Road
Instantaneous Response, Rapid Acceleration and Riding Comfort are Outstanding Features Of a Really Excellent Performance
The fine performance for which Buicks have always been noted has been improved
upon to no small extent in this latest model; the car’s behaviour on the road giving
it a very strong appeal, even to the most critical. The car demonstrated was the
smaller of the two chassis models, the body with which it was fitted being a four-door,
five passenger sedan, and was brand new - therefore, quite stiff, and not capable of
giving its best performance.
In the performance of practically every make of car there is some feature which is
outstanding, and which distinguishes it from other makes. In the case of Buick, this
feature is quite unmistakable and consists of surprising liveliness, flexibility and
responsiveness to the throttle at speeds within the ordinary driving range - i.e., from
a standstill to a little better than forty miles per hour. Not that the car is not a good
performer at speeds above forty miles per hour. We can say that at any speed up to
fifty eight miles per hour, which is not the car’s maximum speed by any means, but it
is the highest speed at which we drove. It is one of the finest performers it has been
our pleasure to handle for some considerable time. Still, it is obvious that the
builders have aimed at a high performance mark for the normal driving range and
attained it.
The car was described in our previous issue, and it is not our intention to describe
construction details here, but the controls are within the scope of this article. The placing of these is most convenient - so much so that feet and hands fall naturally upon them. In addition to this, they are easy to use, and a broad seat with more or less concave surface and a clean deep back, together with ample leg room, make the driving position most comfortable. After some time behind the wheel, we were convinced that the new Buick is a car which one could drive for long distances without feeling the slightest fatigue, for the steering is very light and delightfully responsive, the brakes are powerful and light to use, the acceleration pedal is so placed that, while using it, the foot is in a comfortable position, the clutch is extremely light to use and smoothly progressive in action, and gear-changing is unusually easy, the leaver knob being close to the steering wheel and of reasonable size. The controls never have to be reached for, and, in use, have a very nice feel about them.
As the first part of the run we chose to wend our way through the city traffic, as we felt quite at home in the car almost immediately upon taking the wheel - a high compliment to the car, but well deserved. Here the car’s controllability was fully demonstrated, the steering combined with flexibility, “punch” and responsiveness to the controls, in a high degree enabling every advantage to be taken, with the result that we passed through traffic in record time.
Once out on a reasonably clear road, the Buick was slowed down to a walking pace in top gear, and allowed to run quietly along for some distance, during which there was no trace of effort on the part of the engine, and no trace of uneven torque. Moreover, the car’s progress was quite silent. Then suddenly the throttle was opened fully, and without the slightest hesitation the speed rapidly increased. A severe test indeed, and one which, successfully accomplished, calls for much admiration, but when it is accomplished in the manner the Buick accomplished it, it calls for high praise. The car’s acceleration is unusually good. From a standstill, using all gears, forty miles per hour was attained in 11 sec.; while, using top gear only, forty miles per hour was attained from a speed of ten miles per hour in fourteen seconds, and using second gear only, twenty-five miles per hour was attained from 5 miles per hour in five and one-fifth seconds. It should be borne in mind that these figures were obtained with a new and therefore, stiff four-door sedan.
The car’s hill-climbing ability also is most remarked. Anderson Street, South Yarra, was climbed on a hand throttle controlled setting at five miles per hour in top gear, and immediately the grade lessened, the speed commenced to increase. In fact, in this manner a decreasing gradient, which the eye could not detect was registered, Punt Road Hill was climbed with an ever increasing speed from twenty miles per hour at the foot, and the car took that stiff, varying and winding gradient, Power Avenue, Toorak, in its stride, while on another hill comparative to Anderson Street, it could be slowed to walking pace, and accelerated as desired - in top gear of course.
Such a performance in acceleration and hill-climbing leads one to expect much of the brakes, and it may be said that they quite come up to expectations. They are very powerful, smooth, progressive, and require but light pressure on the pedal. The suspension, also, is in keeping with other features of the car’s performance, for gutters and potholed, cobbled, and badly waved surfaces were covered at various speeds without the passengers feeling any discomfort. The suspension of this model is a decided improvement upon that of previous models, which, although good at all other times, was slightly heavy for surfaces containing a large number of small inequalities, and transmitted the vibration to the passengers. This weakness has been overcome entirely.
The car’s road ability also has been improved considerably, for it is quite comfortable at speed, and roll is hardly perceptible when cornering at fairly high speed, while another
commendable feature is the freedom with which the car rolls. Even on a gradient the eye hardly can detect it move off and gather speed rapidly, and in even the slightest dip will see-saw apparently indefinitely. This shows accuracy of manufacture, and means economical performance for the owner.
Altogether the new Buick is a car of considerable refinement, and, undoubtedly, will do much to enhance the most enviable reputation past models have won, for its performance is an improvement even on the performance of those. It has high natural speed, and performs at all times with an admirable absence of fuss and noise, while the high degree of controllability and responsiveness achieved will win for it many steadfast friends amongst the fair sex.
Posted 09/2006 |
