THE HISTORY OF THE AUTOMOBILE

(F)In 1951 Britain’s motor industry was on top of its game. For there was a car demonstrating Britain had the technology and ingenuity to keep pace with American and Europe. It was Rover’s Jet 1, the world’s first gas turbine car (an open 2-seater, using body panels that were recognizably adapted from the Rover 75 sedan, offering seamless delivery of power to the wheels). The engine was air-cooled and had no internal engine braking. These hurdles were overcome, but two problems proved insurmountable: exceptionally high fuel consumption and the huge costs of making such an engine.

The new Roadster or ‘Silver Bullet’ was smooth-lined 2-seater, unveiled in 1950. This model was a replacement for the Triumph 2000 Roadster, a delightfully old-fashioned model with its tiny cockpit, dickey seat and huge, free-standing headlamps. Seeking a more progressive image, Triumph stylists came up with the TRX’s sleek, torpedo-like profile, which was built in double-skinned aluminum. To maintain the flowing look, headlamps were concealed behind

revolving metal covers and the rear wheels were artfully faired-in. The new car was loaded with power-assisted gadgets. Windows, radio aerial, headlight covers and the side-opening hood were electrically operated and the overdrive on the 3-speed gearbox was electro-hydraulically driven. A large electric motor drove the system, whose network was carefully sandwiched inside the double-skinned bodywork. With so much complexity, the Silver Bullet was plagued with problems. Soon the company turned to the simple TR2 sports car.

In 1954, a dumpy-looking sedan Ferguson R4 was probably the most advanced and safest family car in the world. In 1950, Harry Ferguson founded his Research Company. His conviction was that everyday cars could be made much safer in wet or slippery road conditions if they had 4-wheeled drive and he was soon joined by a designer Claude Hill. In 1954, R4 had an important innovation: the world’s first anti-lock, skid-proof brakes. This technical package gave the car spectacular safety advantages and led to the even more impressive 1959 R5 research vehicle (a proper rolling billboard in estate car form).

In 1953, Gottlieb’s Powerdrive Company sold the concept of a 3-wheeled economy car with rear-mounted, single-cylinder engine and egg-shaped fiberglass body to London sports car manufacturer Sydney Allard. The car had serious design flaws, especially overheating. In 1955, Gottlieb launched his new car. It was a small, aluminum-bodied sports car with 3-abreast seating and attractive lines. It had 2 wheels at the front with a single, rear wheel cleverly concealed by the supposed ‘big car’ styling. The tubular chassis had a 2-stroke British motorbike engine forward of the rear wheel, with a 3-speed, reverse gearbox and Austin A30 steering and front suspension.

1. Answer these questions:

a) What do you remember about Rover’s Jet 1?

b) Did the ‘Silver Bullet’ have a more progressive image?

c) What innovations did the TRX have?

d) What car was the most advanced and safest family car in 1954?

e) Did the Ferguson Research Co. have any success?

f) What concept did Gottlieb sell?

g) What car did he launch in 1955?

2. Make sure that you know how to pronounce and translate these word combinations:

Technology and ingenuity, gas turbine car, open 2-seater, fuel consumption, smooth-lined 2-seater, old-fashioned model, tiny cockpit, free-standing headlamps, sleek profile, side-opening hood, electro-hydraulically driven, the most advanced and safest family car, safe in wet and slippery road conditions, anti-lock and skid-proof brakes, research vehicle, rear-mounted and single-cylinder engine, egg-shaped fiberglass body, exhaust pipe, tail pipe extension, overhaul, air dam, shock absorber, leaf spring, coil spring, drum brakes, disc brakes, brake shoe, pad, assembled by hand, antilock braking system, side impact protection bar.

Date: 2015-12-17; view: 936