7 replies to this topic

[Magoo]

This little film provides a great look inside the Chrysler Proving Grounds in Chelsea, Michigan -- and the science of vehicle testing in the 1950s, which you guys will especially appreciate, I think. . Neat stuff, don't miss it.  

 

 

 

Video: Building the Chrysler Proving Grounds | Mac's Motor City Garage

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mariner]

Thanks , Magoo - great stuff as always.

 

Having survived some winters near the Great Lakes I wonder how they kept operating during hte winter .All the plowing and scraping must have been expensive.

 

I think GM and Ford had winter test tracks in Arizona

Edited by mariner, 11 December 2013 - 10:08.

[Bob Riebe]

HOT DAMN, sweet.

 

The pictures on the gravel road remind me of traveling to see relatives and later on back-road champagne flights forty to fifty years ago.

 

The winter paved road picture was close to me driving home last weekend only I was passing the string of cars rather then they passing me.

 

 

Now God forbid that Chrysler should ever go belly-up but that set of tracks looks like a good place to have Humpy Wheeler style outlaw road and oval races.

They could run the Michigan 700 on the oval..

[Magoo]

Hey, I love this crazy old stuff just like you guys do. As noted, I really liked the experimental garage equipment. As I tot, I nearly wore out a Visualiner. Or maybe it wore me out. Interesting machine, used a set of mirrors hung on the wheels. 

[Magoo]

Thanks , Magoo - great stuff as always.

 

Having survived some winters near the Great Lakes I wonder how they kept operating during hte winter .All the plowing and scraping must have been expensive.

 

I think GM and Ford had winter test tracks in Arizona

 

All the Detroit Three have multiple proving grounds -- Michigan, Arizona, Florida, Northern Ontario, etc -- and use the weather to their advantage to accomplish seasonal testing.

 

 

They do a lot of road testing, too, with engineers driving strings of cars and communicating via CB radio and cell phone. Aka Asberger's field trip. 

[Greg Locock]

Great stuff. Random thought - when did oil consumption drop from say 300 miles/pint to the rates we see today, and what did they do to achieve that?

[Magoo]

Great stuff. Random thought - when did oil consumption drop from say 300 miles/pint to the rates we see today, and what did they do to achieve that?

 

Great question. Right off the top of my head I would say a lot of little things..better oil, tighter machining processes, etc etc etc. Rounder, straighter cylinder walls. I will be hanging out with engine guys, will throw the question out there -- should provoke some interesting answers. 

[Lee Nicolle]

Thanks , Magoo - great stuff as always.
 
Having survived some winters near the Great Lakes I wonder how they kept operating during hte winter .All the plowing and scraping must have been expensive.
 
I think GM and Ford had winter test tracks in Arizona

Chrysler snow ploughs, trucks, earthmoving equipment. Complete test facility.
I watched this little movie last week. Quite interesting. Some interesting roads and the oval looks good enough for a rest.
The story goes on the Holden test facility at Lang Lang [RIP} that some drivers would take a book to read,,, at 70+mph in the early 60s.
That Chrysler one looks the same sort of deal.

Oil consumption: As Mac says better machining and materials. Better rimgs, better valve stem seals and also keeping the fuel out of the oil.And DEFENITLY far better oils. How did they ever seal valve stems on side valves? Not well by the amount of blue smoke that comes from many when worked hard. And I mean good engines, not worn out gunkers That is Fords, Dodges and others too