A question for Antique Car Experts.

[Clipper47]

I have owned a 1947 Cadillac Imperial 75, a 1947 Chrysler New Yorker and presently a 1947 Packard Super Clipper. From the point of view of silent running there is, in my opinion, little to choose from . Essentially all three cars were prewar designs as pointed out so perhaps not an answer to your question. As for ride the Cadillac with it's longer wheel base and weight probably had the advantage but suspension systems of the three were similar.

[MCHinson]

Thanks Silverghost.... Your quote of "These older engines could run on almost any sub-standard quality fuels of their day..." gives me the perfect opportunity to chime in.

I have been reading this from the first post and have been so tempted <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

to mention the Model A Ford! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I don't think you will find it the quietest, but I do think it has the most beautiful sound of any engine that I have ever heard. And, while we are extolling the wonderful virtues of Henry's Model A Ford, a true American "Classic".... at least in my mind.... I will now tell the story of my most recent addition to the fleet. I just acquired a 1929 Model A Sport Coupe from the widow of a dear friend. The car sat unused for "a little while" after his health declined. Unfortunately, he had filled the gas tank shortly before he parked it about 8 years ago. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

I winched it into the trailer two days ago. Yesterday, I put a battery in it and did the necessary work on it before starting it up. I then drove it around the block with that 8 year old gas. What other car would you dare try that one with..... <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[alsancle]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

I winched it into the trailer two days ago. Yesterday, I put a battery in it and did the necessary work on it before starting it up. I then drove it around the block with that 8 year old gas. What other car would you dare try that one with..... <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> </div></div>

If that was 8 year old gas, I'll bet it was racing fuel. Pump gas congeals really fast these days. I'm scared to let the cars sit over the winter without running them every month if they have pump fuel in them.

[MCHinson]

Nope, regular old gasoline. Maybe he put some gas stabilizer in it or maybe not, I don't know. It is sort of yellowish orange, smells sort of strong, but it still burns, and that is all a Model A needs. If it will flow and burn, a Model A seems to think it is OK. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

[West Peterson]

Gas is different today than it was 8 years ago; not to say that gas from 8 years ago was all that great, either, but it was better than it is today. Still, as MC points out, it shows how the Model A will run on a substandard fuel.

[Packard enthus.]

RE: YOUR COMMENT ABOUT STUTZ

When I lived in So. Calif, my neighbor had a late 1920's Stutz. It was a relatively small-displacement 6 cyl. engine with an over-head cam.

I agree with you - something about those Stuz automobiles - heck..EVERYTHING about them, was in a class by itself - most 1920's cars are a bit "clunky" to drive - this thing was even nicer to drive than my '26 Phantom One (a Springfield) and very nearly as peppy and responsive as my Packard V-12.

But, to answer the question posed by the fellow who started this "thread", the Stutz product was more of a sport car; thus none of their products were anwhere near as quiet and smooth as the big "super cars" of its era.

[6219_Rules]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> the fellow who started this "thread" </div></div>

The name is Randall, or Randy... I answer to Wolf, too. Peter, you know my name, use it. If it is worn thin, I promise not to make you buy me a new one. Honest.

Ok, one more question for the 'experts': When were automobiles considered modern. as opposed to pre-modern like a Model T??

[Packard enthus.]

"modern" depends on your point-of-view. Us old-timers, as I noted elsewhere...consider a car an "antique" only if it has "antique" features...such as only two wheel brakes (typically external contracting types) carbide gas lighting (on-board generators and electric lighting didn't really take hold until around 1916) and open bodies without creature comforts. It was that critera that caused many old car clubs to reject the Model "A" Ford for participation, becuase it was way too "modern"..meaning..on-board electrical system, self-starters, four wheel INTERNAL expanding brakes, and even heaters were becoming available.

My age is showing - no question a young person today would think a '41 Packard or Cadillac, with air conditioning, power windows and radio antenna, fully pressurized cooling systems, balloon tires, etc...would be an "antique".

Hey..Randall...O.K. if I call you "George"....after that great "classic" Chevrolet pick-up truck of yours..?

[6219_Rules]

Fine by me, Lenny.... just no Rabbit Farms this time. I'm keeping an eye on you!

That is just the question though... beyond what the hoi palloi thinks. Today's cars are essentially the same, though admittedly they are starting to change beyond the pressurized internal systems, etc..

a car by definition was four wheels, an internal combustion engine (normally), seats for at least two, normally for four or six, four brakes (drum, disc or combination thereof), usw...

Was the line of demarkation WWII generally or before that? Or is that too artificial?

I know when driving my 1947 Cadillac on the freeway, it operated just like any other vehicle, just looked a little odd for the day. So what makes a 'modern' car modern?

(It is interesting that most historians consider the 'Modern' era to have begun with the Renaissance.)

[mrpushbutton]

In my own addled brain I sorta consider the dividing line to be the advent of the large bore/short stroke OHV V-8, beginning with the 1949 Cadillac OHV V-8, followed closely by the Oldsmobile Rocket V-8, eventually ending with the small block Chevy to be the dividing line. Not to be dismissed: the Chrysler Hemi V-8 of 1951 (which was copied directly from the Cadillac OHV V-8, with the exception of the head design) and the Ford Y-block. If that dosen't meet the criteria, domestically it would have to be the 1978 Dodge and Plymouth Omni/Horizon models, the first domestic FWD transverse mounted small engine compact.

[ronbarn]

There really is a very simple answer to the question about when a car is "modern", at least for the touring crowd. If a car is not old enough to qualify for a specific tour - it is modern.

[Guest DaveCorbin]

On the question of the first "modern" car, there is some consensus among engineers and historians on the Buick 1908 Model 10. The layout of the car is (from front to back) radiator, engine, clutch, sliding gear transmission, driveshaft, differential, rear axle,brakes. It also is an OHV engine. As you can see, this is the configuration of cars until Sir Alex Issigonis turns the engine sideways and makes the whole drivetrain into a package for the Austin Mini. (which is why he's "Sir", knighted by QE2 for it.)

Regards, Dave Corbin