US auto F/R weight distribution in the 30s

[Tmoose]

According to a "Chrysler engineer" US cars of the 30s had rear weight bias of ~ 60%. With a beam front axle pusing the engine and passengers back I can sort of believe it.

http://www.chryslerheritage.com/sec500_pdf/1934 Airflow.pdf

Does anybody know for sure?

Dan T

 

[evelrod]

Dan, I weighed the rear of my 1930 Ford Std. Coupe at ~1600 lbs. when I was building it in '89. I did not weigh the entire car but, if the 'book' is correct at an overall wt. of something like 2700 lbs. that looks awfully close to 60%.
I did not weigh the 37 Buick Roadmaster, but just looking at it, I can certainly believe at least 60%. The front of the straight eight engine is aft of the front wheel centerline and the rear passenger seat is directly above the rear axle.

Rod

 

[Tmoose]

"rear passenger seat is directly above the rear axle"

I think in the interview the "Chrysler engineer" said that too.

 

[carnage1]

both of the statements are correct for my dads stock 33 dodge

Luck is a difficult thing to verify and therefore should be tested often. - Me

 

[Tmoose]

RWD, 60% rear weight bias, must handle at least as good as a late model Corvair and probably more like an Acura NSX then, huh?

 

[evelrod]

No Tmoose. More like a late model school bus.
I drove my 37 Roadmaster (Ex Al Jolson) up the coast route to San Francisco a few years back (I've since sold the car) and I can attest to the superior handling characteristics of a school bus v Buick!!! By the time I got to Monterey my shoulders and arms were so sore I had to stop!!! That thing had something like a 180" wheelbase and steering was like 6 turns lock to lock.--- Came back south on the I-5. She cruised at 70 and 12mpg, no problem other than stopping for fuel every 200 miles. :-(

Rod

 

[Warpspeed]

Not only are the seats typically just about over the rear axle, but the radiator cowl is right over the front axle centre line, with the engine set well back behind.

Those early cars may have been primitive in many ways, but they had pretty good weight distribution.