The Sydney Morning Herald from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia • Page 14

14 ft Svtinfy Hontirg rWd. tpnl 8. 1963 FAIRLANE lfflsraaR SECTION HAS MORE POWER ROAD TESTED BY STURT GRIFFITH, B.E. The Ford Fairlane 500 series is now optionally available tcith a larger engine styled the "Challenger. In comparison tcith the normal engine, it is more power Jul by 19 gross horse-power, but of more importance for ordinary driving is the increase of 42lbs-ft in' its torque (pulling power).

ffun up to 90 h. owners whoi The engine oil-ciim-filter rnosE A miss the enormous changes are extended to performance given by the intervals, so that large engine of the 1961 Fairlanes, will be interest routine maintenance ceases to be the nuisance and waster that it was in the past. ed to know that the Chal-I lengcr-engined version of. Cover the standing i in 1 9.5 seconds Stop with disc brakes Wind up the windows. Snap the top in place You've got the swiftest snuggest sports car in the class Test drive Triumph Spitfire soon The auto-transmission of 1M.

iirriimir-n ii ii- tooay gives suDsianuaiiy ithe Kairiane verv me name aitciciaiiuu i two-speed anair. with a The nominal gear ratios Based on the test-loaded weight, this is equivalent cent using top and low gears accommodating three adults (54 and 58 inches). There torque converter that operates right through the speed are: top j.uu. ana tow j.j speed figures as that giant of the past, but with much less consumption of fuel. to 33.0 ton-miles per gallon.

in about equal proportions, at 40-37-58 m.p.h. FITZ- range in both gears. It is and the fuel-speed factor is ample head space, ana generous leg-room in both compartments. smooth in action, and low GflRALDS MOUNT (one average speeaj I would say that the Chal it's the sports car with flare I mile long, average gradient lenger engine is worth the The floor is earnet-cov- to 1. The maximum toque multiplication in the converter is 2.14 to 1.

The integrally constructed car is mounted at the front on wishbones with superimposed coils, and at rear on semi-elliptic leaves. additional 30 cost, for 1 in 11, max. 1 in 10): An is 1.519. The tank gives ft rather limited fast cruising ranga of 288 miles. ered, and th? hardware fit those who like performance This model is.

in my opin easy ascent in top gear tings have a good appearance. The fascia is padded. (held) at 50-51-50 m.p.h. gear is not used too much with (he Challenger engine. The transmission is further simplified in that it has no inhibiting valve to prevent engagement of low gear at high speeds, nor is there any safety up-change to top gear if the engine is over- Summary and a small glovebox is the The energy ratios, calcu ion, the best-handling and the most pleasant large Ford yet produced in A stabiliser bar connects onlv stowage space.

Arm lated with the test load of ihe front wheels, and all the iclcscopic wheel dampers rests are fitted to all doors. 3 cwt. arc: torque to weight. 165 Ibs-ft per ton: powci Australia. The reduction in overa There is an ample supply are adjustable (after re of fresh air to each side of to weight, no n.n.p.

per moval) to cither a hard or spceued with Low range selected. the front floor, and the front ton. soft position. windows have ventilating Top rear gives a road The car is sold under a It is probably accurate to panels. speed of 22 m.p.h.

at 1,000 12-months or say that such safety reline dimensions and weight of the current Fairlane series, without reduction of passenger space, has greatly improved the roadholding of the car, and in this very latest model the steering is much quicker in action and The boot is large, with a ments would be unnecessary relatively flat floor, a good r.p.m. Cruising And warranty. Fuel Facts in practice, as I found that deal of which is taken by the engine will, without undue fuss, run up to a true Ihe Fairlane with the Challenger engine and its improved steering is a pleasant car to drive on tho touring highway. It has excellent acceleration and hill-climbing ability, a moderate thirst for fuel, and a maximum of 97 m.p.h. The car is spacious, with a large boot.

It cruises quietly, and rides well over most surfaces. The two-speed automatic transmission is adequate for its needs. The car tested was made available by Ford Motor Company of Aust. Ltd. the spare lying flat thereon Acceleration It is necessary to use a Key speed of 74 m.p.h.

in low so improves an aspect oi to open the boot lie. gear. Not recommended, of get behind the wheel The Fairlane-Challenger The overall impression ot ISPITRRF course, but apparently safe the Fairlane which was open to Another alteration in the 1963 model, which I regard the car interior is one of cruises effortlessly at speed on safe country roads, and At the lively speed of 46.1 m.p.h. over the test route, the Challenger engine recorded 21.1 miles per gallon, which is comparable with 21.2 m.p.g. of the smaller standard engine (operating through a lower gear) at the same average speed.

of a new Triumph Spitfire, and you're REALLY GOING PLACESI The Car ample space, and the measurements confirm this feel as an improvement lai least with the more power The Fairlane is a largish ing. Hill Climbing car, somewhere between a ful Challenger engine) is 0333 FOR COMPLETE DETAILS jj SAVE DELAYS ORDER NOW I RING 31 compact and the largest the quicker steering gives better coatrol than hitherto. There is no mechanical noise at speed, road noise is moderate, but there is a little wind-whistle with the windows fully open. On a full-throttle get- American types. It escapes the raising of the differential gearing.

This reduces engine revs, gives quieter and more The Challenger engine, in -xbssstob ii mm any feeling of clumsiness. spite of the new higher gearing, will deal with most hills peaceful country cruising. and with the latest steering and the larger Challenger engine, it is pleasant to drive in top. If kicked-down to low gear, a rapid ascent is awav. the change is made and at the same time allows the larger engine to give virtually the same fuel from low to top gear at 59 made.

m.p.h. It is possible to mileage as the smaller motor The gears and speeds on and behaves in lively fashion. The interior is very American, with two large bench seats in two-tone synthetic and each capable of at the same average speeds Observations the test hills were: RIVFR LETT HILL (2 miles with acute bends, maximum gradient 1 in 81): A lively as- kick-down from top to low "car at any speed below 55 m.p.h., which is satisfactory a 1 1 a car having such a good performance in top. As may be expected with One aspect which is cap uch high torque available. the acceleration figures are good.

The transmission was allowed to make its own selection, and the times were: 20 to 40 m.p.h. in 3.8 sees, using low gear, ju to 50 m.p.h. in 4.6 sees, using able of improvement is the large turning circle of 391 feet, which demands ample space for manoeuvring and parking. The sealed chassis lubrication system introduced last year is, of course, continued. Those interested in this system, which is becoming very popular and will doubtless become universal, are advised that the lubrication of the wheel-bearings as well as greasing the twelve chassis points of the Fairlane (required only at 36,000 mile intervals) costs 415.

This is equivalent to less than 3 per 1,000 miles, and the car is virtu low gear, 40 to 60 m.p.h. in ABOUT THIS CAR PRICE: Automatic, 2,223 (incl. tax). SIZE: Six-seater, large boot. Whcclbase, 9ft 71in; length 16ft 5in; tracks, 57 and 56in; clearance, 6iin; tyres, 7.00 14in; fuel tank, 13 2-3 gallons.

Unladen weight, 28icwt; test load, 3cwt. MECHANICAL: V8 engine of capacity, developing 164 gross horsepower and 258lbs-ft torque (R.A.C., 46.2 h.p.). Two-speed torque converted transmission. Integral construction on conventional suspension. FUEL CONSUMPTION: 21.1 miles per gallon at 46.1 m.p.h.

over the test route. MAXIMUM SPEEDS (In touring trim). Top: 97 m.p.h.; low-gear, 59 m.p.h. 5.6 specs, using low and NT 1 iST 1 1 Australian Motor Industries Ltd. I 83-97 Flinders Street, Sydney.

S5S 1 Please send we details of the new Triumph Spitfire. ySi NAME a4. ADDRESS SC3 high gears, 0 to 50 m.p.h. in 8.6 sees, using low gear. Roadholding And Handling mm Being" of American the Fairlane is not intended for hard corner ally never out of service for chassis lubrication.

ing, and make's its time by rapid acceleration out of the corner rather than high speed through the bend. However, when driven hard on winding roads, the car showed good adhesion and little tendency to slide. THE MORE MILES PER MONTH YOU But body roll was mamtest and the tyres squealed con siderably. The riding characteristics of the Fairlane Ave very good. It rides smoothly on poor bitumen surfaces, and does not bounce or bottom over bad pots.

The new recirculating "Tpf ball steering mechanism is light and yet much quicker MEANING CITROEN, THE WORLD'S MOST ADVANCED CAR, IS NOW EVEN FURTHER IMPROVED No, not a new model (Citroen doesn't "date" with in action than hitherto, with 4i turns from lock to lock It is also remarkably free from reaction in the hands over bad roads, and is rated yearly models); but. important running changes. For example, the front and entire underneath of Citroen very satisfactory. The brakes are also good, AS Parisienne have been aerodynamically shielded. The result: a big improvement iri performance and economy which were good before and now are outstanding.

with quite light pedal pressures for a prompt response. They are free from fade in normal touring use, and the handbrake stopped the car from 30 m.p.h. down the m.p.Bi. faster! Victoria Pass (gradient 1 in 8). REASON WHYYOU SHOULD TRY OUT A Driver's Layout THE MORE THE Ihe steering column is heavily raked, and the wheel vr7 ffDrUH is rather too close to the body, particularly in view 1 I lirM 1 i i I 1 I i I 1 1 I i I Vf I I I 0 V7 I il I I I II I i ii i i i ii ii i If of the limited seat adjust '-am -irfr 111 I ft fc 1 1 I 1 1 9 ft ft 9 ment of 4 inches.

Plus all Citroen's other features Superb performance of front-wheel drive Superb riding of 4-wheel independent self-levelling air-oil suspension Better than 90 m.p.h, better than 30 m.p.g. 4-speed all-synchro gearbox -Ar Safety of power-, operated disc brakes Extraordinary roominess and) super-comfortable seating Heater, demisters, wind lb LniU The seat itself is comfor table for its type, and gives reasonable back support. Vision is good in all direc tions, the somewhat heavy shield washers, inbuilt jacking Road clearance up to screen pillars being well back. The driver can see the can be changed while driving And many more! extremities of all guards, and the rear mirror is wide and steady. all for S1690 The instruments are housed in three binnacles under a hooded fascia.

They with Michelin Tyres (incl. Sales Tax) comprise a circular speedo meter (with nicker below 50 m.p.h. and a maximum error iff- vj WUi.li n- K-MBawaaMW nun 1111 111 1111 11 1 11 i I'li-iar fe i iiiWMiw nris -urn immimwm -mimmii urn i iwfiwwn" X. y-? '-n-mm. i i.m i i .1 JZ''' lf ET3 of 5 m.p.h.), gauges for en gine temperature and fuel contents, and large light windows for oil, gen erator and turn indicators.

There is a clock in the centre of the fascia. Ibe brake pedal is un necessarily high, but can be operated by either foot. The handbrake is well under the fascia, and a driver wearing a sash harness can just reach it. YOU'VE GOT TO DRIVE IT TO BELIEVE IT Ihe electric wipers are of two-speed, self-parking type. The dipswitch is kinder the left foot.

TOROUEFLITE3-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STANDARD. If you think there's no longer a thrill in driving, Chrysler Royal V8 automatic will quickly change your mind. Motoring writers agree that, for cars priced between 1500 2000, no other saloon and only one or two sportscars can even approach its performance. It has everything for the man who really drives his car hard and long Don't take our word for it Take the wheel and put it through Its paces for yourself A phone call to your Dealer and the car will be waiting for you. Engineering BO 0,220 B.H.P., overhead valve V'8 engine and with 3-specd 'Jll V.jf j3 VJ.i.

13 i automatic transmission standard. RUGGEDNESS Independent chassis; Rugged steering and suspension systems. Safcty-rim wheels. Wide-track. Big powerful brakes.

Each 'Vl'rT 7lC front wr)ee1 brake has two hraking cylinders. DIG LUGGAGE SPACE -35 cubic ft. capacity boot, V.V ff3 hti'dMJ-1 :7 Vfflh A road clearance to give you a safety margin under all i 3LiLJ out-hack conditions. ftk Mead room, shoulder room, knee room that matches cars ROOMINESS st7 priced way above Chrysler Royal. ri" rr.r.

,11. jjy Special attention given to sealing body and boot against dust "and water. This includes tinder-hody sealing. The Challenger is the standard engine with i-inch greater bore, and operates on the same compression ratio of 8.7 to 1, which demands premium fuel. Hydraulic (self-adjusting) tappets are used, and the Cnuin MePir pirH and iccMiofin and pciillfd itrvlct available Nationwide engine is quiet and smooth TAX INCLUDED Ltd.

Sydney. test drive. (Sales) Pty. 119-129 William St. RING FA 0944 for at all speeds.

Bore and stroke are 9fi.J 72.9mm, and the twin barrel Holley carburettor is protected by a dry filter There is a throw-away filter HARDEN and JOHNSTON (Sales) PTY. Head Office: 117-131 Flinders Street-, Sydney. Phone FA8021. Commercial Division. 212-220 Parramatta Road, Camperdown.

Phone LA2843. AUSTRALIA. LIMITED in the petrol line, with a at the SHOW: 27 BRANDIS ST. life of 36.000 miles. A full flow oil filter is employed for the gallon of lubnceting oil.

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