Cadillac: 1906 10 h.p.
Note: This is a sub-section of Cadillac.
Cadillac [1]
One of the first, if not the first, firms to demonstrate the possibilities of a single cylinder engine of comparatively high power for motor car practice, was the Cadillac Motor Car Company. This Company is a consolidation of the Cadillac Automobile Company and the Leland and Faulconer Manufacturing Company. Practically the whole of the output of the latter Company, which was noted for its high grade machine work, was absorbed by the Cadillac Company, so that the uniting of the two establishments into one Company, under one management, enables the cars to be produced more cheaply and to a more rigid standard.
The Company have adopted the practice of making every part absolutely to standard size. For this purpose limit gauges are used, the parts being machined to within one thousandth of an inch. This method of production, while to a certain small extent more extensive than the usual method of manufacture, saves money in other ways; the firm is enabled to deal with the finished parts rapidly and with little trouble while the saving to the customer is enormous. For instance, the cylinder of the engine, which has a 5-in. bore and 5-in. stroke, can be replaced at a cost of 22s. 6d., and as this is naturally one of the most expensive members of the car, it will readily be seen that the repairs bill for one of these cars, even after extended use, must needs be very small.
It is the proud boast of the Company that, instead of spending large sums of money on expensive racing as an advertisement for their cars, they have utilised the money thus saved in perfecting their plant, relying on the cars to advertise themselves by their good behaviour in the hands of customers. As an example of this policy, it may be mentioned that one mile has been covered in 1 min. 7 4-5 seconds by one of these cars in the hands of a customer; also 145 miles, over Californian mountain tracks, was run in 5 hours and 58 minutes on 7 gallons of spirit, this quantity being the capacity of the tank fitted. These are the advertisements on which the company relies for the sale of its cars.
On this side of the Atlantic the Cadillac upheld its reputation by obtaining 1,000 marks out of 1,000 for reliability in the last year's Scottish trials, which were considered the most severe tests that cars have been put to in this country, and also by obtaining prizes at Blackpool and other motor trials.
Design of the Car.
One of the great features of the car is the accessibility of all parts that may require attention, its mechanical construction being so simple that an understanding of the principles embodied can be easily acquired, thus enabling the owner to take care of his car himself if he so desires.
Another characteristic feature of the Cadillac is the provision made for adjustments of the various wearing parts, special provision being made so that worn bearings, etc., can be replaced without having to worry about alignment.
Details of the Chief Members.
The engine, as before stated, has a single cylinder, 5-inch bore and 5-inch stroke, provided with a copper water-jacket — a system introduced by the Cadillac Co., which has been widely adopted by other makers. It is claimed for this water jacket that by its use the walls of the cylinder have a freer and more uniform expansion and contraction, and that they are little likely to crack from the effects of frost.
The Cadillac Co., unlike many other firms, has always under-estimated rather than over-estimated the power of this engine. They now wish it to be plainly understood that, as a matter of fact, the engine actually develops a little more than 10 h.p. by test. It speaks well for the designing and construction that a cylinder of the given dimensions should give such a splendid result.
One of the accessories that undoubtedly enables the engine to give this result is the Cadillac carburetter, which is stated to be radically different in design from any other carburetter. At the same time, it is so simple that it is easily understood, and is capable of such precise adjustment that it gives the exact mixture required. It is fitted in such a position that it is readily accessible, and unaffected by any variation in gradient. When taken to pieces for cleaning purposes, the adjustment is absolutely unaffected, and as there is but one moving part, it has no delicate mechanism to get out of order. Three years of continued use have proved it an exceptionally good mixer for a single-cylinder engine.
The sparking plug, which is of the company's own make, has a double mica core, the cost of replacing which is insignificant, especially when it is considered that one of these plugs can be used for months befouled to such an extent that an ordinary plug in a similar condition would be ineffective.
The Mechanical Lubricator,
A feature that will commend itself to anyone who is aware of the necessity for proper lubrication is the mechanical lubricator. This device, which is fitted just behind the heel-board, is provided with an arm, which engages with a cam on the hub of the fly-wheel, so that the quantity of oil pumped to the parts that require oiling, is directly proportional to the speed of the engine. For instance, when the engine is running at 500 revolutions twice as much oil will be delivered as when it is running at 250 revolutions, or half as much as when running at 1,000. The four points to which oil is supplied by the lubricator are the piston, crank-pin, and each bearing of the crank shaft. As the last two require different quantities from the first two, each feed has a separate adjustment. To adjust the feed, sight-tubes are provided, so that the quantity of oil passing may be seen, a plunger deflecting the stream away from the sight-tubes direct to the oil leads after the adjustments have been made.
Transmission.
The Cadillac transmission is of the epicyclic type, giving two speeds forward and a reverse. The whole of the gear is enclosed in an oil-tight case, which has only one oil-hole to be attended to, and which will hold enough oil for several days' hard running. Two friction bands control the change-speed mechanism, one of these bands being operated by a foot-lever applying the slow speed; the other, operated by a control-lever, reverses the movement of the car. A forward movement of the control lever binds the whole gear solid to an extension of he crank shaft, thus forming an additional flywheel, and giving direct drive to the rear axle on top speed.
There are still a few novelties to be mentioned, which combine to make this car worthy of interest. For instance, the petrol tank is provided with a separate compartment, which contains about a gallon of petrol, so that should the motorist find that he has emptied his tank, the spare gallon will enable him to proceed to a place where he can lay in a fresh supply.
Another novelty is the safety starting device, which precludes any possibility of a backfire when starting, by keeping the starting-handle out of gear while the ignition lever is advanced beyond a point at which back-firing would occur.
The silencer is provided with a cut-out operated by a pedal, which enables the increased noise of the exhaust to be used as a warning of approach. The ignition is by coil and accumulator, with duplicate batteries connected to a two-way switch mounted on the dash board; the high tension wires are carried along the channel of the frame member, in this position being out of the way of dirt and damp. The frames are of the recognised channel pattern, pressed from a grade of special steel and tested by strains far beyond those they will have to bear in the ordinary course of events.
The axles are of steel tubing, the front one being provided with a rocker joint at the point of spring suspension. This joint permits one wheel to pass over obstacles several inches in height, or into corresponding depressions, without disturbing the level of the body or transmitting any material jar to the occupants. At the same time, it considerably reduces the strains on the front springs. The drive is transmitted from the gear to the live back axle by means of a roller chain built up from a number of detachable links, so that, in case of accident, the chain may be repaired in a few moments by the replacement of the damaged links with new ones.
The bodies are enamelled a standard purple-lake, striped with light carmine, the frame, axles, wheels; etc., being finished in a dark shade of carmine striped with black and a lighter shade of carmine. Each car is sent out with a complete repair outfit, including tyre-repairing necessaries, but the lamps, horn, and similar accessories are extra, thus allowing the customer to gratify his individual taste in these matters.
Price lists and catalogues of car can be obtained on application to Messrs. The Anglo-American Motor Car Co., Ltd., 19-21 Heddon street, Regent-street, London, W.