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As published in The Australian Motorist - November 1st, 1928
The Silver Anniversary Model Buick
Wholly Transformed - Larger, More Powerful and Faster - Many Innovations
Transformed in appearance, redesigned, larger, more powerful, and faster, easier to operate-an innovation in performance, rather than in basic design-three series of bodies on two chassis (one built in two lengths); really the Buick offered in three sizes. That is the silver anniversary offering of the Buick Motor Company, for it was in August, 1904, that the first of this line was marketed. The new line is instantly recognisable in appearance as a Buick product, and yet is entirely new in dress, different in proportions, and introduces a new note in style.
True Distinction in the New Lines.
The distinction of the new line lies in the practical elimination of mouldings, for the new
Buick the “tying” effect usually secured by a pronounced roll in the shell itself at the belt line. This requires and carries no ornamentation, but the rolled surface sustains a high light reflection which carries the eye from one end of the car to the other, exactly as the conventional end-to-end moulding catches the eye and causes it to travel the full length
of the car without conscious effort on the part of the observer. Thus the length of the machine is emphasised very successfully, but without apparent effort.
Proportion and Balance.
In order that this effect may be carried out consistently the rolled edge of the body proper is perpetuated in the flute at the side of the hood reproduced in cross-section by the radiator front. Thus the fore view of the car is entirely changed without there being revealed any effort to change the effect only. Similarly, the roll is carried across the back. In this manner the entire body of the car proper is stripped of mouldings, contrasts, and colour separations, and the designer falls back on the underlying proportions in his effort to satisfy the demand for true proportion and balance.
Some what similarly, mudguards, which are of the one-piece variety, are carried over with a pronounced roll, instead of the vertical flange, and finished off at the edge with a
reinforcement that accents the outline without over emphasising it. At front and back this
reinforcement is carried into a nicely finished double curve suggesting the parting line.
One of the strongly marked features of the design is the definite separation of the superstructure, which, in effect, is mounted on the body proper. This has a nicely turned roof-line, with gently sloping contours, slightly arched windows and true sedan front, in which a short cowl visor is set. Here moulding, used with great restraint, is in the form of a rather fine bead, which may or may not be set off with colour. This follows the outline of the roof in the forepart, but behind the rear window is brought down and carried around the back just above the roll at the top of the body proper, where its effect is scarcely more than that of a welt.
Under each window is a separate inset panel, the purpose of which is to carry contrasting colours. This panel effect, as a matter of fact, is practically all that is left of the coloured moulding. Because of its isolation it is exceedingly effective, and in some finishes is the only contrasting colour used, except possibly for striping on the wheels. It has the particular advantage of permitting an endless variety of effects with a minimum of useless and ineffective effort.
Special details of the design that serve as distinguishing characteristics include the improved shrouding of the petrol tank in the rear, which is now served by a filler pipe brought out at the left-hand side, eliminating interference with the spare tyre in replenishing; the introduction of ventilators (on some models only) at the sides of the cowl, and new and very large aluminium hub caps, the effect of which is to make the wheels look smaller.
As to finish, the tendency is towards substantial and practical body colours, with brilliant
ornamentation, and in many instances a colour separation between body and superstructure. Chrome plating is used on the new designed lamps and other parts, and this has the invariable effect of “snapping up” the finish and setting off the colours to splendid advantage. A novel detail of the lighting equipment is the introduction of a combined tail, stop and back-up light unit in the same form as the headlight. The very long sweep of the front fenders and comparatively short length of brightly edged running board is another feature of this year’s design.
Art in the Interiors.
Interior effects are marked primarily by wider and easier entrances, wider seats, and more headroom. The trend of the wheels has been increased to 58 inches, from the standard of approximately 56 inches, and this gain is reproduced in the added length of the rear and seat cushions. Headroom is also greater, so that the new models offer many advantages from the standpoint of comfort. Upholstery is done in the conventional materials, in plain colour this year. Hardware is of new and attractive design. The robe rail is substantial and fashioned with accessible hand grips. Garnish strips are in real wood walnut finish.
The new instrument panel, with double lighting, provides either indirect lighting on the dials only, or a somewhat brighter light, which illuminates not only instruments, but entire front compartment, below the cowl, as well. The new Delco-Remy tandem electric windshield wiper, one of the innovations in equipment on closed models only, has a particular advantage in that its speed is constant, regardless of engine speed, and it is so wired through the ignition switch as to make it impossible for the driver to leave the car with the wiper operating. A new hydrostatic petrol gauge is also used.
There is a new, easy grip steering wheel. Gear shift and clutch leavers are longer. The accelerator pedal more conveniently arranged. a very valuable improvement is the lining of the entire cowl, and dash with sound-deadening and heat-resisting effect, so that the driver’s compartment may be cooler in summer, warmer in winter, and quieter all year round.
Adjustable Front Seat in Closed Models.
One of the most talked-of features is the adoption of the adjustable front seat for closed models. By turning a wing handle in the centre of the front seat riser the entire seat may be moved forward or back, even though occupied. Total range of adjustment is three inches. This construction necessitates building of front seat as an entirely separate
unit, and without any connection with the centre post of the body.
Marked Improvement in Operation.
With all these advantages in the way of new appearance, more effective interiors, easier riding (softer seats), and so on, has come a marked improvement in operation. A study of the specifications leads to the conclusion that the whole development of the new chassis had been guided by desire to provide uniform and satisfactory average performance, rather than spectacular achievement. The point is made as proof that the aim has been for satisfaction of the great majority of users, rather than the occasional driver, who rates speed above everything else.
Chassis 1929 - Chassis 1928.
Taking a comparative exhibit of the 1929 and 1928 chasses, point by point and part by part, as a means of establishing some of the underlying facts that prove the superiority of the new model, it would be shown that with comparatively few exceptions the general layout and form of the parts is practically the same, but at every point the effect of whatever change there is, is in the direction of sturdier construction and better performance.
The list of changes are too many to give in full. A mere summary, as applied to the engine, includes - larger bore and stroke, improved camshaft and valve mechanism, improved carburation and intake manifold, new fuel supply system, steel backed main bearings, steel backed babbitt rocker arm bushings, new exhaust heater valve, improved oil filter, new engine covers, larger crankshaft, larger pistons and pins, stronger connecting rods, V-belt fan drive, wider timing gears, quieter starting gears.
As to the chassis, such a summary as the foregoing should include - stronger frame, improved steering gear, improved transmission, new speedometer drive, hardened steel bushings in universal joint, improved rear axle, positive differential gear and bearing lubrication, rear axle spring seats bronze bushed, larger section tyres, new wheel design, new tyre carrier, larger batteries, quieter muffler, with less back pressure, smoother operating clutch, hydrostatic petrol gauge.
Basic Considerations.
This is merely an outline of change, however. The underlying reasons appear, upon analysis, to flow from two basic considerations. The first of these is the decision to provide more power and freer and livelier performance within the range of common operation; the second is the necessity of providing more rigid and even more durable chassis to resist the stresses of the greatly increased speeds that are now associated with normal operation.
The piston displacement has been increased 32 cubic inches, or 15 1/2 per cent, in the case of the smaller motor, and 35.6 cubic inches, or 13 per cent, in the case of the larger, by increasing both bore and stroke in each instance. This increase in volume, it is claimed, in the smaller engine, produces a 17 per cent increase in maximum power, without increase in maximum engine speed, as against a 3 per cent increase in power rating by formula. In the case of the larger engine the power increase claimed is well over 17 per cent, while the increase in bore alone accounts for but a 7 per cent increase in the formula rating. Thus the smaller chassis is now driven by an engine developing 74 horsepower, and the two larger chasses by an engine developing over 91 horsepower.
It is of more importance that the layman knows that the maximum torque, or turning effort on the crankshaft has been increased from 146 to 172 pounds at 1200 revolutions per minute in one case and from 185 1/2 to 215 in the other, also at 1200 revolutions. This means 16 to 18 per cent more lugging power around the common driving speed of 30 miles per hour.
It should be noted, too, that in both engines the valve lift has been slightly increased, and chrome nickel steel exhaust valves introduced in place of nickel steel; also that in the smaller job the diameter of both inlets and exhausts has been increased 1/8 in. The valve timing has been changed to indicate a slightly longer period of valve opening. Carburetter sizes have been increased 1/16 in. in each case, and manifolds have been enlarged, besides being slightly altered in certain respects. All this tends to produce a more “free breathing” engine and improved pulling powers.
Complete provision is made, in connecting rods, crankshaft and other moving parts, against development of vibration due to increased force exerted upon the pistons. All of these parts are larger and heavier, and painstaking attention is devoted to securing perfect balance. Not content with balancing the crankshaft and related parts, Buick now pilots the clutch assembly accurately within the flywheel to ensure its running dead true at all times.
Engine refinements which do not involve enlargement of parts are numerous. Perhaps the most radical of those is the new A-C mechanical fuel pump, which operates off the camshaft and delivers strained petrol to the carburetter at precisely the correct rate, as its operation depends directly on the engine speed. The pump has withstood exhaustive tests in the Buick engineering laboratories, on the proving ground, and in public use, and has fully established its reliability. It is extremely simple, not subject to deterioration or marked wear, functions at hand-cranking speeds, and is so positive that not even after the petrol tank has run dry is priming required.
The pump is attached directly to the carburetter, eliminating part of the tubing required with a vacuum system. The carburetter, too, is new, in that it is provided with two high-speed jets, instead of only one, as heretofore.
Other improvements include the introduction, for the butterfly heat control valve in the exhaust manifold, of a valve of Duro stainless steel, on a shaft of Cyclops steel, this change ensuring against warping or sticking under most trying conditions; the adoption of metric spark plugs, a change in the ignition coil affording a hotter spark at lower speeds;
redesigned camshaft; valve springs of new, heat-treated metal; larger oil pump; one piece brass forgings in main oil line eliminating many soldered connections; new starting gears; new timing gears; new weather resisting insulating cable; new and longer lived batteries in all models; a change in the rubber mounting for one of the engines.
Similarly, as to the chassis, there is ample evidence of the same thorough redesign
operation. Wheelbases have been slightly increased with a comparative reduction in the turning circle. Tyre sections are considerable enlarged. The wheels are reduced an inch in diameter, and gear ratios adapted to this change.
The shorter car now has a wheelbase of 115 3/4 inches, instead of 114 3/16 inches; the intermediate size, a wheel base of 120 3/4 inches instead of 120. The big chassis, on the other hand, has a wheelbase of 128 3/4 inches instead of 128 inches. Tyre size for all three chasses, in the order named, are respectively 30 x 5.50 and 32 x 6.50, instead of 31 x 5.25 for the small job and 33 x 6 for the other two. Twenty inch rims are used throughout, instead of 21 in.
Posted 09/2006 |
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