The Development of a Rear-Engined Streamline Car

320030

01/01/1932

Event
Pre-1964 SAE Technical Papers
Authors Abstract
Content
CONVENTIONAL automobile design is no longer suited to conditions of higher driving speeds brought about by road improvement and of smaller but more powerful engines. Study of aerodynamics and analysis of forces and motions induced in a car by location of the center of gravity and distribution of weight led the author, an ex-British naval officer, to conclude that the streamline form and the disposition of the engine behind the rear axle would result in a car giving the greatest comfort in riding and economy of power at high speed and one of pleasing appearance.
The reasoning that resulted in these conclusions is set forth, and reference is made to a number of unconventional designs produced in Europe and America, such as front-wheel-drive and rear-engined cars.
The author then describes the evolution of his ideas through a series of nine different models, each embodying the fundamental principles but successively changed to solve the problems of engine and transmission location, cooling, fender treatment, sparetire storage, head-lamp design and best appearance. The result is claimed to be a car that conforms to dynamic laws, the elimination of nearly one-half the air resistance of an orthodox sedan and a much steadier riding car at high speed. Many other advantages also are listed.
In conclusion, the automobile industry is said to be faced with a revolution in design and the suggestion is made that a great opportunity is presented to increase comfort and performance combined with a new appearance in a type of automobile that will outmode all the cars now in existence.
Meta TagsDetails
DOI
https://doi.org/10.4271/320030
Pages
8
Citation
Burney, D., "The Development of a Rear-Engined Streamline Car," SAE Technical Paper 320030, 1932, https://doi.org/10.4271/320030.
Additional Details
Publisher
Published
Jan 1, 1932
Product Code
320030
Content Type
Technical Paper
Language
English