From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
The new Studebaker Champion's features and the advanced tooling used for its production.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 128\3\ scan0027 | |
| Date | 1st April 1939 | |
| 438 NEW STUDEBAKER CHAMPION Front suspension of the Champion, in plan and elevation The starter switch is actuated by means of the clutch pedal. The frame is unusually light but is claimed to be stiffer in proportion to weight than any frame used in a previous Studebaker model. It has the X-member without offset at the center which has come into general favor in recent years, the center portion of this X-member being reinforced to give a box section. Side members are of box section from the junctions of the X-member forward to the front cross-members. The X-member has a maximum depth of 7 29/32 in., while the side members have a maximum depth of 4 1/8 in. and a flange width of 1 3/8 in. The assembled frame is stiffened by reinforcements at the joints and by welding where desirable. Wheels are of the drop-center disk type and carry 16/5.50 in. tires, for which an inflation pressure of 26 lb. is recommended. Bodies are of all-steel construction. Body features include headlamps recessed into the fenders, concealed door hinges, rotary door latches, and door checks. There are no running boards on the bodies. Regular models are upholstered in Bedford cord, deluxe models in broadcloth. All interior hardware is chromium plated. Knobs, escutcheons, dome-light switch and other similar parts are of tenite in a color that matches the upholstery and steering wheel. The equipment of the regular models includes a windshield wiper, sun visor, concealed horn, and rear-traffic signal light. Deluxe models have these items in duplicate. Glove compartments are provided with locks on all models. All Champion models are engineered for Climatizer installation. This is a heating system which draws air from the outside, filters and heats it, and then distributes it between the front and rear compartments. The Climatizer unit fits below the driver's seat, hence does not reduce the passenger space. Bodies are insulated against noise and heat. Among the special features of deluxe models besides those already mentioned are a grained finish for the instrument panels, pull-type arm rests, pile-weave carpets, door kick pads, lace-covered assist cords, ash receivers in both compartments, and generous chrome beading. The radio grille is located in the center of the instrument panel. Advanced Tooling Produces Newest Studebakers (Continued from page 432) tion of this machine is to drill and ream the cross holes, a fussy operation, handling two housings at a time. Two Natco's are found in this line, one for drilling all holes, the other for tapping. The drilling machine is a Natco vertical Holesteel Type 3AL with a fixed center box containing 21 spindles. It is provided with a 44-in. diameter two-position hand indexing table, with a fixture for one housing in each position. The Natco Holetapper is a two-way machine with one vertical and one horizontal tapping unit, with individual lead screw tapping spindles. Steering Knuckle—Some interesting items of new equipment have been impressed on the set-up for machining this part. Vital part of the line is a Cincinnati 10-54 single-ram surface broaching machine for finishing the bosses. It removes 0.340 in. of stock from both sides at a ram speed of 28 f.p.m. Finish required is of good commercial quality within 0.004 in. of dimensions. The machine is fitted with a fixed table and a hand clamping fixture. Baker Bros. have supplied a two-way, double-end horizontal hydraulic feed machine for drilling and reaming the king pin hole. The right-hand end has a 6-spindle fixed center head, while the left-hand end is fitted with an 8-spindle fixed center head, with accelerated feed for the last two spindles, line-reaming from one side during the drilling cycle. The fixture is of hand indexing trunnion type with five stations, each holding two knuckles at a time. Natco has several drilling and tapping machines on this line. One Automotive Industries | ||