1934 - 1939 Mercedes-Benz W31 (Typ G4)
Image by Georg Schwalbach (GS1311)
The Mercedes-Benz W31 typ G4 was a German three-axle off-road vehicle first produced by Mercedes-Benz as a staff/command car for the Wehrmacht in 1934. The cars were designed as a seven-seater touring car or closed saloon and were mainly used by upper echelons of the Nazi regime in parades and inspections as they were deemed too expensive for general Army use.
The G4 was a development of the G1, launched in 1926. In the first three years of production they had an 8-cylinder inline engine of 5018 cc displacement delivering 100 PS (74 kW). An unsynchronized four-speed transmission transferred the power to all four rear wheels, or optionally to all six wheels. The rear wheels were attached to two rigid axles 950 mm apart, which were suspended in joint semi-elliptic leaf springs. The front axle was rigid with semi-elliptic springs. All six wheels had hydraulic brakes with servo assistance. The top speed was only 67 km/h (42 mph), limited by the type of all-terrain tyres. Only 11 of these vehicles were delivered to the Wehrmacht. The car used an elongated box-section frame that allowed for generous interior room with comfortable seating for up to 7. Seating was provided by two benches (front and rear) and one middle-placed row of seats with separate arm rests.
From 1937 a more powerful engine of 5252 cc and 115 PS (85 kW) was used. The performance remained the same. Between 1937 and 1938 16 cars were built.
From 1938 a larger motor of 5401 cc and 110 PS (81 kW) was used. Vehicles of this model were used by Adolf Hitler and his staff in parades marking the occupation of Austria and the annexation of the so-called residual Czech Republic. The last year of production was 1939. 30 cars of this model were built.
(Wikipedia)
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Der dreiachsige Geländewagen Mercedes-Benz Typ G4 entstand als schwerer Geländewagen für die Wehrmacht im Jahre 1934. Nach dem ersten Versuch 1926 mit dem Typ G1 startete Daimler-Benz nun noch einen Anlauf. Das Modell trug die interne Baumusterbezeichnung W 31.
Die Wagen waren als siebensitzige Tourenwagen oder geschlossene Limousinen ausgeführt. Durch sein hohes Gewicht von 3,7 Tonnen wurde der G4 vor allem zum Repräsentieren auf der Straße eingesetzt.
In den ersten drei Produktionsjahren besaßen sie obengesteuerte Achtzylinder-Reihenmotoren mit 5018 cm³ Hubraum, der maximal 100 PS (74 kW) liefert. Ein unsynchronisiertes Vierganggetriebe mit Vorgelege leitet die Kraft an alle vier Hinterräder oder wahlweise an alle sechs Räder weiter. Die Hinterräder hängen an zwei Starrachsen mit einem Abstand von 950 mm, die an gemeinsamen halbelliptischen Blattfedern aufgehängt sind. Auch die Vorderachse ist starr und hat Halbelliptikfedern. Alle sechs Räder haben hydraulische Bremsen mit Saugluftunterstützung. Die Höchstgeschwindigkeit liegt bei 67 km/h. Lediglich elf dieser Fahrzeuge wurden an die Wehrmacht geliefert.
Ab 1937 wurde ein stärkerer Motor eingebaut. Er hat 5252 cm³ Hubraum und leistet 115 PS (84,5 kW). Die Fahrleistungen blieben – begrenzt durch die Bauart der Geländereifen – gleich. 1937 und 1938 wurden 16 Fahrzeuge gebaut.
1938 kam ein nochmals größerer Motor zum Einsatz. Er hatte 5401 cm³ Hubraum, liefert aber nur 110 PS (81 kW). Nachdem die Reichskanzlei einige Fahrzeuge für Adolf Hitler und seinen Stab orderte – eingesetzt als Kommandeurswagen z. B. bei der Besetzung Österreichs und der Annexion der sogenannten Rest-Tschechei – konnte Daimler-Benz im letzten Produktionsjahr 1939 nochmals 30 Wagen absetzen.
(Wikipedia)
1956 AC Ace Bristol (10)
Image by Georg Schwalbach (GS1311)
AC came back to the market after the Second World War with the staid Two-litre range of cars in 1947, but it was with the Ace sports car of 1953 that the company really made its reputation in the post war years. Casting around for a replacement for the ageing Two litre, AC took up a design by John Tojeiro that used a light ladder type tubular frame, all independent transverse leaf spring suspension, and an open two seater alloy body that was made using English wheeling machines, possibly inspired by the Ferrari Barchetta of the day.
Early cars used AC's elderly two litre, overhead cam, 100 bhp (70 kW), straight six engine (first seen soon after the end of the First World War) which gave a top speed of 102 mph (164 km/h) and 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in 13 seconds. It was hardly a sporting engine, however, and it was felt that something more modern and powerful was required to put the modern chassis to good use. Thus, from 1956, there was the option of Bristol Cars' two litre 120 bhp (89 kW) straight six engine with 3 downdraught carburettors and slick four speed gearbox. Top speed leapt to 116 mph (186 km/h) with 0-60 (96 km/h) in the nine second bracket, and response was much sweeter and modern. This was replaced in 1962 with the 2.6 litre Ken Rudd 'Ruddspeed' engine, adapted from that used in the Ford Zephyr. It used 3 Weber or SU carburettors and either a 'Mays' or iron cast head. This set up boosted the car's performance further, but it was not long before Carroll Shelby drew AC's attention to the Cobra, so only 37 were made.
In the final years of production, some Ace models were fitted with the MKII Ford Zephyr 2.6 litre straight-6 engine. These Ford engined models had a smaller grille which was carried over to the Cobra.
Overdrive was available from 1956 and front disc brakes were an option from 1957, although they were later standardised. With the engine set well back in the chassis, the Ace handled well and was successful in competition.
Joining the Ace in 1954 was the Aceca hard top coupé, which had an early form of hatchback rear door but used the same basic timber framed alloy body.
(Wikipedia)
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Der AC Ace war ein offener zweisitziger Sportwagen mit Aluminiumkarosserie und Sechszylinder-Reihenmotor von AC, Bristol oder Ford.
Entwickelt und hergestellt wurde er von dem englischen Traditionsunternehmen AC Cars Ltd. mit Sitz in Thames Ditton in der Grafschaft Surrey, dessen Wurzeln bis in das Jahr 1901 zurückreichen (Beginn der Arbeiten an dem Weller Four Seat Tourer durch die Firmengründer Weller und Portwine). Der AC Ace basierte auf einem einzelgefertigten Rennsportwagen, den John Tojeiro als unabhängiger Sport- und Rennwagenkonstrukteur 1953 gebaut hatte. Mit Preisen auf dem Niveau der leistungsstärkeren Jaguar-Sportwagen (und darüber) war der handgefertigte Ace während seiner Bauzeit stets ein Fahrzeug für wohlhabende Individualisten. 1962 wurde er zur Grundlage für die legendäre, gemeinsam mit Carroll Shelby und Ford entwickelte AC Cobra.
(Wikipedia)
1956 AC Ace Bristol (09)
Image by Georg Schwalbach (GS1311)
AC came back to the market after the Second World War with the staid Two-litre range of cars in 1947, but it was with the Ace sports car of 1953 that the company really made its reputation in the post war years. Casting around for a replacement for the ageing Two litre, AC took up a design by John Tojeiro that used a light ladder type tubular frame, all independent transverse leaf spring suspension, and an open two seater alloy body that was made using English wheeling machines, possibly inspired by the Ferrari Barchetta of the day.
Early cars used AC's elderly two litre, overhead cam, 100 bhp (70 kW), straight six engine (first seen soon after the end of the First World War) which gave a top speed of 102 mph (164 km/h) and 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in 13 seconds. It was hardly a sporting engine, however, and it was felt that something more modern and powerful was required to put the modern chassis to good use. Thus, from 1956, there was the option of Bristol Cars' two litre 120 bhp (89 kW) straight six engine with 3 downdraught carburettors and slick four speed gearbox. Top speed leapt to 116 mph (186 km/h) with 0-60 (96 km/h) in the nine second bracket, and response was much sweeter and modern. This was replaced in 1962 with the 2.6 litre Ken Rudd 'Ruddspeed' engine, adapted from that used in the Ford Zephyr. It used 3 Weber or SU carburettors and either a 'Mays' or iron cast head. This set up boosted the car's performance further, but it was not long before Carroll Shelby drew AC's attention to the Cobra, so only 37 were made.
In the final years of production, some Ace models were fitted with the MKII Ford Zephyr 2.6 litre straight-6 engine. These Ford engined models had a smaller grille which was carried over to the Cobra.
Overdrive was available from 1956 and front disc brakes were an option from 1957, although they were later standardised. With the engine set well back in the chassis, the Ace handled well and was successful in competition.
Joining the Ace in 1954 was the Aceca hard top coupé, which had an early form of hatchback rear door but used the same basic timber framed alloy body.
(Wikipedia)
- - -
Der AC Ace war ein offener zweisitziger Sportwagen mit Aluminiumkarosserie und Sechszylinder-Reihenmotor von AC, Bristol oder Ford.
Entwickelt und hergestellt wurde er von dem englischen Traditionsunternehmen AC Cars Ltd. mit Sitz in Thames Ditton in der Grafschaft Surrey, dessen Wurzeln bis in das Jahr 1901 zurückreichen (Beginn der Arbeiten an dem Weller Four Seat Tourer durch die Firmengründer Weller und Portwine). Der AC Ace basierte auf einem einzelgefertigten Rennsportwagen, den John Tojeiro als unabhängiger Sport- und Rennwagenkonstrukteur 1953 gebaut hatte. Mit Preisen auf dem Niveau der leistungsstärkeren Jaguar-Sportwagen (und darüber) war der handgefertigte Ace während seiner Bauzeit stets ein Fahrzeug für wohlhabende Individualisten. 1962 wurde er zur Grundlage für die legendäre, gemeinsam mit Carroll Shelby und Ford entwickelte AC Cobra.
(Wikipedia)
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