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Jul 17, 2012 20:00:19 GMT
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Hi! I found this very interessting article somewhere in the interwebz. It's highly interessting, as it describes the development of a smal 'Volks' car by Chrisler in the 1930's. During the times of the Great Depression. They were fitted with a front monuted, 5-cylinder water cooled radial engine, mated to a manual gearbox giving drive to the front wheels. And developing about 30BHP from a displacement of 66.6ci / 1.1l. Ultra compact, economical and radi cally different.      Though that was too interessting not to post. And I may admit at the same time that I share a huge fascination for radial engines in general  And this one's fitted to a car, which makes it worthwhile posting here. Now who's going to fit a Wright Cyclone to a 1930's car? ;D |
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Jul 17, 2012 20:26:52 GMT
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Excellent find, anything that deviates from the standard straight or vee engine setup I love. Wankels, gas turbines and radial engines awesome stuff.
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Sierra - here we go again! He has an illness, it's not his fault.
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Jul 17, 2012 20:33:37 GMT
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Great find, thanks for that.
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Jul 17, 2012 22:00:49 GMT
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I thought the first picture was an early beetle!
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Jul 17, 2012 23:27:08 GMT
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^ I looked at the grilled and thought "2cv" - especially with the chevrons.
Thanks for posting that, it's great. There really was a lot of innovation in that era - a lot of genuinely interesting stuff was developed.
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stealthstylz
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,829
Club RR Member Number: 174
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Jul 17, 2012 23:38:46 GMT
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Radial engines are fantastic. IIRC the limiting factor is physical size and lubrication. Most facials seem to run total loss oil systems.
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I must say I thought most radials were dry-sumped while rotary piston engines were total-loss (often via two-stroke style fuel/oil mix).
TBH I'm not sure today's legislators would like the clouds of blue smoke at start-up caused by burning off the inevitable oil accumulation in the lower two cylinders - and most people would find turning the engine over backwards to expel enough oil to prevent hydro-locking a bit of a chore.
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ToolsnTrack
Posted a lot
Homebrew Raconteur
Posts: 4,117
Club RR Member Number: 134
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I really want a deltic Bedford CF. does that make me more or less nuts?
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Seth
South East
MorrisOxford TriumphMirald HillmanMinx BorgwardIsabellaCombi
Posts: 15,513
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Fascinating. Great find!
I think intake/exhaust plumbing is also generally a bit of an issue with radials in cars.
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Follow your dreams or you might as well be a vegetable. |
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So with all the disadvantages, what were the plus points for using a radial engine in a car? Apart from it making an epic noise! Was it just availability of radial engines at the time around the development of war / commercial planes?
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I would imagine an air cooled engine could also pr problematic to keep cool in any circumstances. But generally I'm a huge fan of radial engined cars Interesstingly enough, the first Zündapp/Porsche (Typ 12) prototype for what later became the Beetle, was also powered by a water cooled five cylinder radial, but in the back, driving the rear wheels. I'm sure I've seen a picture of that prototype, but can't seem to find it... |
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Interesstingly enough, the first Zündapp/Porsche (Typ 12) prototype for what later became the Beetle, was also powered by a water cooled five cylinder radial, but in the back, driving the rear wheels. I'm sure I've seen a picture of that prototype, but can't seem to find it... Found the blueprints    |
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RA40tony
Europe
Rollin' rollin' rollin'
Posts: 768
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Nice thread!! The Chrystler reminds me a bit of the Chrysler Airflow:  |
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Last Edit: Jul 18, 2012 9:47:44 GMT by RA40tony
1979 Toyota Celica GT. Currently Gone.
1975 Toyota Celica ST. 13x7 Allycats, "the stick" applied. 100kW 4AGE... Sold
1963 Karmann Ghia - Lo & Slo, Sold.
1965 VW Fastback - cruising
1953 Oval Ragtop, work in progress...
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Jul 18, 2012 11:37:26 GMT
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Interesting read, it does show there were some forward thinkers in the US it's a pitty that cheap fuel cause big is beautiful and cc didn't matter, mind you it did create some trully stuning metal work  Apparently Hitler wanted the beetle to be powered by 3 cylinder diesel engine, luckly they ignored him!! would it been sucha global hit with a diesel engine............ |
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Seth
South East
MorrisOxford TriumphMirald HillmanMinx BorgwardIsabellaCombi
Posts: 15,513
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Jul 18, 2012 11:56:32 GMT
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So with all the disadvantages, what were the plus points for using a radial engine in a car? Packaging probably. A very short engine. Unless of course you mount it horizontally like Mr North-Lucas. theoldmotor.com/?p=28318 |
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Follow your dreams or you might as well be a vegetable.
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Jul 18, 2012 12:15:54 GMT
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Great thread - obscure stuff like this is really interesting reading The Chrysler's styling really contrasts with the European equivalents! Btw, is it my imagination, or does that Zundapp / Porsche owe a lot of its design origins (especially the backbone chassis) to Tatra? |
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jonw
Part of things
Can open a Mouse with a File
Posts: 768
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Jul 18, 2012 12:17:22 GMT
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It can get madder..... cue 1920's german rotary engined motorcycle insanity!!!!!!  |
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Suzuki SV650R The good
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Toyota Hybrid One pint or Two?
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Vile beef trimming they won't even use in stock cubes
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Jul 18, 2012 12:35:17 GMT
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Thanks for sharing - Freaky stuff that!!
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 you, you and you, Panic! - the rest of you, come with me! |
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Jul 18, 2012 12:53:41 GMT
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It can get madder..... cue 1920's german rotary engined motorcycle insanity!!!!!! That's indeed one of my most favourite motobikes ever ;D Rotary radial powered, frontwheel drive bike ;D How cool is that?? I bet you smelled when it ran too rich ;D |
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And this one's fitted to a car, which makes it worthwhile posting here. 
