Cord Chassis question

[James B.]

I think this is something that has been written about and discussed to death but I am just curious which or who is correct?

 

Cord claims to be the first American automobile to have the X brace frame which was popular in the 1930-1950s but their car was not on sale until August 1929 as a 1930 model year.  There are other references that Stutz Black-Hawk also had a form of X brace and advertised as such.  Examples have even been posted here.  Their car was offered for sale as a 1929 model starting in January 1929.  So, which is correct and why does Cord stand on their claim?

 

Thanks

Jim

 

[Guest Art Anderson]

The '29 Stutz used a center crossmember that was little more than a sophisticated K-member (For a look at a classic K-member, dig up a picture of the 1932 Ford Frame), that was more like a conventional C-channel crossmember with two parts, riveted back to back (or "web" to "web") with the 4 legs angling out from each other more like a "bow tie" than a really functioning X-member, which would have it's center "spine" (if you will) positioned longitudinally down the center of the frame, as with the Cord L-29 and all subsequent chassis using an X-crossmember.  As done by Stutz, it probably did have some torsional resistance, but not nearly as stiff as the L-29--which car did set the pattern for this sort of chassis design for the next 25-30 years.

 

Here's a pic of one:  http://forums.aaca.org/uploads/monthly_11_2014/post-68778-143142820182.jpg

 

Art Anderson

[Curti]

Hi James, I would also post this question in the general discussion forum. There is a forum member with the ID of Xframe whose hobby is the research of same. 

I am not sure he frequents the ACD forums. 

[X-Frame]

The '29 Stutz used a center crossmember that was little more than a sophisticated K-member   As done by Stutz, it probably did have some torsional resistance, but not nearly as stiff as the L-29--which car did set the pattern for this sort of chassis design for the next 25-30 years.

 

Here's a pic of one:  http://forums.aaca.org/uploads/monthly_11_2014/post-68778-143142820182.jpg

 

Art Anderson

 

Art... It has been a while since my last visit and did not see your reply until now, sorry.

 

Is there some sort of standard or formula required to be considered a true X such as leg degree of angle or length for it to be effective?

 

The photo you posted showing a Stutz is the same design that Packard used on their 1932 Standard 8 chassis seen in their sales brochure described as a X (attached).

 

I have since found out that the Cord L-29 X was not the first production car to use the same design.  The 1924-1927 Delage GL also had the same outreaching X design used for torque according to Autocar articles.  That X was designed by the same person who designed the Hotchkiss model AK chassis -Maurice Sainturant. (attached - seen in front at the Paris show).

 

Eric

Edited November 1, 2015 by X-Frame (see edit history)

[X-Frame]

Anyone else wants to chime in, please do.  This may not be an easy question to answer and the more heads the better.