Automotive History trivia part III

[Duesey]

Originally Posted by 2strokebloke

Well then. I believe Peerless built a single V16 in 1932, at least I think it was 1932.

Correct. Peerless was the ONLY other American automaker to build a V16 roadcar in 1932. The Peerless V16 was unique for a few reasons:

1) It was gorgeous and glamorous, with a sleek design and a luxurious interior
2) It was powerful, with its 464 ci engine putting out plenty of smooth power and torque
3) This was the most important part, the entire car, engine, chassis, body, was made of aluminum

Peerless teamed up with Alcoa, the aluminum company to build a car that would feature the then rarely used (in cars, at least) metal. The aluminum work was incredible, with the weight being kept down significantly (Duesenberg also employed generous amounts of aluminum in the J, with the heads, firewall, radiator and a few other parts cast of aluminum. If you look at the pictures on the sites link here, you'll notice a silver rim around the fenders. It looks simple, just a piece of metal fitted on the outside, but this is actualy part of the fender, rolled aluminum made to look like it was added afterwards! Having seen this car in person, I will say, it is a beautiful car to behold, too bad there is so little out there on it.
Pictures:
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/trombinoscar...rless3201.html

Info on the museum it is currently housed at:
http://www.wrhs.org/crawford/default.asp

Also, as far as the fate of Peerless. After making the V16, the board at the company sat down to discuss its future. The depression was in full swing, and market such an extravagant car was sure to be a failure, so the higher ups decided to just pull the plug on ALL of Peerless's auto operations, and turn the company into a brewing company. It is still around today as a brewing company.

OK, 2-stroke, back to you!

[2strokebloke]

O.K. here's a really hard one (I hope) What American designed car was built by a Japanese company that would become Mitsubishi during the 1950s? (for extra credit, what was the name of the company that built it?)

[Duesey]

Originally Posted by 2strokebloke

O.K. here's a really hard one (I hope) What American designed car was built by a Japanese company that would become Mitsubishi during the 1950s? (for extra credit, what was the name of the company that built it?)

Chrysler Colt, in 1962?

[2strokebloke]

No, I wrote 1950s (I know my question was stated a little foggilly) I'll give you a huge clue, it bore the name of an American.

[2strokebloke]

Well I don't want to kill the topic with a question that's too hard, so I'll give a clue that will probably give it away...

The American the car was named after was a famous industrialist, who built alot of boats... and the car also bore his name in the U.S. (I just made it too easy!)

[Duesey]

Wow, I must be stupid, b/c I still don't have a clue...not much of a boat person.

[2strokebloke]

He built more liberty ships faster than anybody else... I'm practically giving the answer away now. And the car was considered "small" by American standards of the time.

[Chris]

A kaiser....one from the 50's....Im going to go with the manhattan.
Im pretty sure the Darrin was made in the US, since it used a fiberglass body made in the US.

[2strokebloke]

Originally Posted by Chris

A kaiser....one from the 50's....Im going to go with the manhattan.
Im pretty sure the Darrin was made in the US, since it used a fiberglass body made in the US.

You're so incredibly close, yes a Kaiser - but not the models you listed, it bore his name (other than just his last name)

[Chris]

Henry? John? Kind of funny names for cars

[2strokebloke]

What the hell, close enough, nobodies going to get it otherwise. The Henry J. Kaiser was produced by East Japan Heavy-Industries from 1951 until 1954. The Japanese produced Henry Js are exceptioanlly rare.
Chris, your turn.

[Chris]

Alright, this one should be a bit easier....What was the first Ferrari to use disc brakes?

[Duesey]

Originally Posted by Chris

Alright, this one should be a bit easier....What was the first Ferrari to use disc brakes?

1951 Ferrari 212?

[tigermiata]

Originally Posted by Chris

Alright, this one should be a bit easier....What was the first Ferrari to use disc brakes?

[wild guess] 156? [/wild guess]

[Chris]

Nope, came in 1959, if I remember teh year correctly...but Im sure of the car.