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To You, Our Readers. A Look Ahead, and a Look Back. Your Comments are My Inspiration.
I know (I know) some of you are probably screaming “oh bollocks” at such a statement- but it inspired me to write about a much unknown supernova of the British automotive monarch, especially here, Stateside- the ultra-rare Jensen FF. Think of it as a tip of the hat to you, our ZH reader and commenter; one, who just may be on to something.
For the rest of us, its Sunday, lets brace ourselves for the week ahead. A lot of things are happening in the financial and automotive world. GM is promising its first round of good news in almost two years; and Chrysler is setting to whet our lust for all things red and Italian with an Alfa Romeo-based SUV, the first of what I’m sure will be many shared technology/platform, co-branded concoctions from the barely breathing Fiat-Chrysler.
Some think the Alfa-based SUV will become the new Aspen, named after the tacky Durango re-badge of recent years, and the horrible leisure suit of a sedan from the 1970’s. Unfortunately, for the Aspen name, it’s a case of- “if you disliked me then, you’d really hate me now.” Lets hope the Italians force the issue and come-up with a better name for, well, just what we need- another SUV.
Nothing like sticking to the age-old adage that SUVs generally have fatter profit margins than any other type of production car… Though I don’t know how true this is anymore with less people buying them due to consumption concerns; from a marketing perspective, nothing “bangs-them-out” better than the SUV. Pardon the old car business jargon – but it’s true and I’m digressing.
But back to British history, and proof that some of our readers are the savviest around. Back to the FF. Did you know that Britain’s 1966 Jensen FF was the first production car to have all-wheel-drive? And among the first to incorporate Dunlop Maxaret anti-lock brakes? It had Italian coachwork by Vignale and body design by Touring Superleggera as well as an American, Chrysler Mopar 383-cube V8 and TourqueFlite transmission too? And the one piece that brought-on all the magic, the crowning jewel, the all-wheel-drive system was indeed a British invention!
Yes, the British Jensen FF was the Nostradamus of what would become the future of the automobile business and the modern road car today- a combination of Italian style and craftsmanship, proven American power, and great ol’ English hand-built engineering among the first real “world cars” (from a literal build standpoint anyway).
The genesis of the Jensen FF dates back to the 1930’s, as hill climb rallies and races eschewed efforts to produce four-wheel-drive vehicles to provide better traction. Four is better than two right?
While the theory of all four wheels distributing power to the ground may sound simple enough, it’s actually a big engineering accomplishment that is just now coming to the forefront of vehicle manufacturing. The biggest feat is overcoming the differentials of torque distribution, making all four wheels turn at different velocities as the car goes around turns, accelerates or comes to a stop. There are many unique AWD systems, varying by manufacturer today, each working differently to distribute power, providing a driving experience that is sure, comfortable and safe. But this was hardly ever always the case.
Bugatti, Miller, Porsche and Spyker are just some of the names that tried their hand at what is today, all-wheel-drive- but any successful application by any of the mentioned (in business or not) came much, much later.
The first all wheel drive actually produced in numbers was the 1966 Jensen FF. The “FF” stood for Ferguson Formula, “Ferguson” being Ferguson Research Limited, a British engineering and racing company- they invented the first all wheel drive transfer systems. They even collaborated with British racing great Freddie Dixon, though, he died before he could see the FF.
If you’ve never seen a Jenson FF, you’re not alone. Not many people have, as they were never officially imported stateside and only 320 were built between 1966 and 1971. But perhaps you’ve seen a Jensen Interceptor? They look similar, but the FF is some five inches longer and sports distinctive twin cooling slats/vents on the front fenders, where the traditional Interceptor only had one.
The death spiral for the Jensen FF had a lot to do with the 1) dwindling commercial success of the Jensen company itself 2) the 30% premium the FF was over it’s lesser sibling, the Interceptor and alas 3) the finicky nature of all the British all-wheel-drive wizardry, which was highly temperamental and could not be adapted for use on a left-hand drive car, i.e. for sale and use in most of the driving world. It simply wasn’t feasible for the FF, with shafts, boxes and other bits and trinkets getting in the way.
The Maxaret ABS system, derived from aircraft applications, frequently too froze-up at any given time. Quirky too, like the British.
When they were working, people loved the Jensen FF; though many will attest, they broke often, and like many British wares of that time, sympathy had to be exercised every mile along the way. But it did produce what was an unflappable road going car in all conditions, with the all-wheel-drive 67% rear/33% front power split.
But really, who really cares now? It’s all history.
While the Germans and Japanese will have you believing anti-lock brakes and all-wheel-drive were of their own pioneering, with Audi’s Quattro system, Subaru’s application of all-wheel-drive in every vehicle they make, and Mercedes-Benz’s development of ABS brakes back in the late sixties and seventies; it’s not true, the British were the first to successfully pull both off, but not in mass quantities, again, just 320 being built in three series, through 1971.
Perhaps the Germans and the Japanese just were able to make them all work better, en mass, and over time and trial too, of course.
Another interesting British car, the Jaguar E-Type (XKE in America) is not only regarded as one of the most beautiful designs to ever come into fruition, but also one of the best sellers for England and the Jaguar brand. Today, they’re worth a pretty penny, and collectors and drivers admire them on many accords.
They’d be by far the most valuable, and expensive cars on the road today if it just for one thing. They made too many. But that’s another story, maybe for another time.
(The British, while they seem to get it right, first. Their timing can use a little work.)
Have a happy week ahead, our most valuable ZH reader. And we can never have too many of you.
For more information on the Jensen “hand built cars” in particular, look up Richard Calver, he writes the history books on them.
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Thanks for provinding the information on what they powers that be are trying to hide from us. You're constantly shining the light in the dark corners.
I came home from the hospital in my Dad's four year old '37 Dodge. That car toured pre war Europe, and was at the side of the road during the Munich Conference in 1938 as the European leaders drove by to their meeting. The air conditioning consisted of a little crank that opened the windshield up a few inches, and the defroster was a little fan on the dash. A solid, simple, large car that was very reliable. The closest I can get to it now is a Lincoln Town Car.
Western brains just can't be beat without others getting alot of help. I know it's biased, but so what,,, I hope China falls flat on it's face. Go ... GM !!
Not junk at all, but the truth.
And no, I don't care for the despots in the PRC either.
love the car features T. - I remember the first time and place I saw an Interceptor (but I don't think I've ever seen an FF)
Wasn't that the car that the chauffeur drove on The Thunderbirds TV show?
Not sure about Thunderbirds- but it was the car featured in Modesty Blaise, a comic strip.
Just saw this comment removed: Chapman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trLcH868ld4&feature=youtube_gdata
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trLcH868ld4&feature=youtube_gdata
Travis - A short story. Earlier this year Jim Rogers was being interviewed on AMC by Bernie Lo. On a classic triple twist I submitted a question which was posed. I asked when did Jim think Maserati was going to introduce a 4WD for the driving pleasure of the farmers growing accustomed to their newly rediscovered station. Of course Jim smacked down the Ferrari/Maserati collective (in the face of the shows target audience) and proceeded to try and explain how his favorite started as a tractor company.
Travis, I suspect that the reason Jim likes that company so much is because even back at its beginning, they could only produce a product that required a double clutch to operate.
All The Best
If you play with the bull, you get the horn.
Hardly. Unless of course, you're a double clutcher yourself.
You're talking about Lamborghini- and yes, it's a true story and a great rivalry. Lamborghini had issues with the clutch on his Ferrari 250, and the rest is history.
I'd rather have a Hirondel.
Don't know their distant history, but recent offerings by Lotus blow everybody else's doors off on performance and value. Watch what they do when they put out their own electric sports car (the Elise being the base of the Tesla Roadster to date.)
Don't know their distant history, but recent offerings by Lotus blow everybody else's doors off on performance and value. Watch what they do when they put out their own electric sports car (the Elise being the base of the Tesla Roadster to date.)
Speaking of comings and goings have a look at the WH guest list. It is actually telling. The BIS economist who predicted the collapse has been at the WH pretty often. as has the one and only Jamie Dimon - which is of course no surprise at all. So what exactly will be the catalyst to finally heave geithner out and pbring in Diamond under the banner "your country needs you"
Two points which I think go hand-in-hand in this discussion that I think we can take away:
Excellent article. There's an attitude of intellectual low self esteem and national self deprication almost unique to the US and UK. We've convinced ourselves that we're incapable of designing and executing pure technical innovation. Thanks for the reminder of what we can do.
FYI
Who taught the Japanese the lesson on how to be the best "in quality". The American Expert on Statistical Quality Control, William Edwards Deming after WWII with lessons learned from Bell Labs Walter A.Shewhart. In the defeated Japanese, Deming found a willing and motivated audience to understand how to compete.
Another WWII fun fact:
Who taught the German Wernher Von Braun rocketry, the American Robert Goddard. Germany had a standing order with the US patent office for any Goddard patents pre WWII. The German V2 is really an upscale Goddard rip off. Especially the design of the turbo pumps and engine bell cooling. Goddard actually saw a V2 brought back to America before he died. I would really have liked to been there when Goddard and Von Braun discussed the V2.
Lastly:
Something a little more recent than WWII; I will give credit to the Japanese (Mazda) in perfecting the Wankel Rotary Engine. Wankel was a German, but the Mazda twin Wankel (Renesis, and Renasis(2)), with its balance operation, and metal treatment, machining accuracy and coatings is a outstanding piece of engineering, and shows the Japanese are tenacious when it comes to continual improvement.
Please forgive my ramblings, but one of my favorite subjects is mechanical things, machines and mechanisms.
Mark Beck
One of my buds had a Jensen Interceptor back in the day. He liked the car, but his mechanic LOVED the car.
I have such mixed emotions about all-wheel drive, at least on a sports car.
My fav British car from the 60's is definately the 1965 db5. That car is fcukin awesome.
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/pic.php?imagenum=1&carnum=843
Very Nice. Makes me want to order a Martini, shaken not stirred.
Thus place has never failed to amaze me, in so many different levels. I rarely bother to scroll down to comments section anywhere else, but this collecitve wisdom is what truly make ZH a one of a kind. I am ever proud of the first time my father pointed at a car on the road a said hey what's this? I never forget the pride in his look after having answered um, Jensen... Who are you people...
I am eagerly awaiting my subscription confirmation so as not be called annonymous anymore.
Cheers - HedgeRoulette (ugh)
My college roommate was a british car guy; his new passion is rebuilding old Royal Enfield 's.
His rant was the Brit car companies, at that time, were really pushing unproved technology which is why they were breaking down constantly. Sorta like the Dot Com anthem "ready - shoot - aim.
I'm no car guy but he could go on and on about this point. Said it was the death of the britsh car industry.
..."the horrible leisure suit of a sedan"... Nice turn of phrase.
So few kids these days actually seek to hold a spanner that having some guy carried off after birth in a "brick with wheels" & now talking on engineering is a welcome new twist.
Sorry to bust into this champagne discussion holding a beer, but US-designed/built AWD that's reliable under power would be the Syclone.
You all remember - the S-10 with the tres tacky bodywork that could shut down a Ferrari 348ts, and any other vehicle I've seen mentioned so far in this thread, although correct me if I missed something. 0-60 in 4.6 sec, a few tenths more in the rain. With a little work you could actually do in the driveway, a Sy would just about see off a Turbo Porsche, and in addition you could still afford, like, a life.
The AWD was built from the GM parts bin - nothing wild, just solid engineering with a crazy gleam in its eye. The front drive came from a minivan. Syclone was killed because it stole too many sales from the much slower and far less fuel-efficient El Grande Porko SS454 pickup. That was right about when the US really started to get itself Super-Sized.
Jensens are dead cool, but let's give credit where it's due. Even if it did look like the Thing From Wal-Mart.
Speaking of Volvos, how about a '79 242GT with a Syclone motor? Workin' on it.
(Gotta get an account so I can take this damn bag off my head.)
Travis - I'm catching up on Koenigsegg's SAAB's combo and watched this on the man behind Koenisegg....now this is going to be a cult car company with it's own spirit again. I can very much guarantee that. Whether they will make money and survive long run, hard to say but with the personal determination and drive behind this, very entrepenueral, very small oriented a couple yahoo never give up types.Interesting
hope your swedish is good.
http://svtplay.se/t/103478/dokumentar__koenigsegg