Revolutionary Giuseppe Zanotti
Elements of the 1932 Ford Model B and Model 18
Now we'll consider the many revolutionary elements of the 1932 Ford Model B
and Model 18. For a Ford, the new V8's interior was almost as revolutionary as
its exterior. While the headlight switch remained at the horn button, as on the
Model A, the key and ignition switch were sensibly combined into a single
antitheft unit at the steering column bracket. With the ignition toggle "off"
and the key removed, the steering gear locked the front wheels for parking. It
was a wonderful idea (still in use today), though it took some getting used to.
Sun visors were arranged to swing out of the way, while the usual tophinged
windshield now opened on a pair of adjustable arms.
Following nowcustomary Ford practice, fine wool, mohair, and leather
upholstery were offered. Also per tradition, fenders on all models were dipped
in black enamel, while bodies came in a fair choice of colors with contrasting
reveals and pinstriping.
Models numbered no fewer than 17 (34 counting fours and V8s), arrayed in
Standard and DeLuxe series. Basetrim body styles comprised the Tudor and Fordor
sedans, threewindow coupe with trunk or rumble seat, roadster (also with trunk
or rumble seat), and fourdoor phaeton. To these, the DeLuxe series added the
Victoria, a fivepassenger "coupe"; twodoor convertible sedan, still with fixed
sidewindow frames; a rumbleseat convertible cabriolet; plus a Sport Coupe giuseppe zanotti
sale with a rumble seat and dummy landau top irons.
Though officially listed giuseppe zanotti design
outlet within the commercial vehicle line, an eightpassenger woody
station wagon was also available with a four or V8. Because of the handsome,
clean design, hot rodders still seek it out.
Introductory ads touted many benefits of the new Model 18 Fords:
"Eightcylinder, 90degree Vtype, 65horsepower Engine o Vibrationless o Roomy,
Beautiful Bodies o Low Center of Gravity o Silent Second Gear o Synchronized
Silent Gear Shift o Seventyfive Miles per Hour o New Selfadjusting Houdaille
Doubleacting Hydraulic Shock Absorbers with Thermostatic Control o Comfortable
Riding Springs o Rapid Acceleration o Low Gasoline Consumption o Reliability
Automatic Spark Control o Downdraft Carburetor o 90degree Counterbalanced
Crankshaft."
If anything, the ads understated the capabilities of the new 221cubicinch
flathead V8, for while it was advertised at
http://www.lhbon.com/giuseppe-zanotti-c-48/ 65 horsepower, it
actually developed about 70 bhp on a compression ratio of 5.5:1; many claimed
that top speed was more like 80 mph.
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