Interesting things you learn from Muscle Car TV show

[Jim Keller]

As I was trying to get moving Sunday morn to go work again on the Beta, I tuned to Muscle Car on Speed with a fresh pot of coffee, (hey! I'm STILL a muscle car fanatic too ya know!), they were doing a special on Coker Tire Manufacturing.
During that they talked about different style tires and when they got to radials, I learned something I am sure many of you know already, but since I didn't, I thought I would post for the others who also didn't know, Radials were designed during WWII, but more interesting was, the 1951 Lancia Aprillia, (sp??), was the first production car offered with them!....cool, another automotive first by Lancia! <grin>

[davidb]

I assume you could credit both Lancia & Pirelli for that 1ST Jim.
Not my point. I read once that Lancia was the 1ST production car
company to have steel wheels & this was in the teens or early to
mid '20s. Many, Many, MANY tech 1STs for a production car can
be credited to Lancia. Worldwide 1ST innovations . . .

[Will]

Wow, I didn't know that, Jim! Thanks!

[1,6 HF]

I assume you could credit both Lancia & Pirelli for that 1ST Jim.. . .

Not quite right.

In 1951, the Aurelia--not the Aprilia--was the first production car with radial tires (Aprilia production ended in 1948 ). And they were Michelin X--not Pirelli.

But the gist is correct--Lancia was the first manufacturer to offer a production car with radials, to go along with other first such as the first production V-engine, the first production independent front suspension, the first production 5-speed gearbox, &c., &c.

[Will]

Not quite right.

In 1951, the Aurelia--not the Aprilia--was the first production car with radial tires (Aprilia production ended in 1948 ). And they were Michelin X--not Pirelli.

But the gist is correct--Lancia was the first manufacturer to offer a production car with radials, to go along with other first such as the first production V-engine, the first production independent front suspension, the first production 5-speed gearbox, &c., &c.

As long as we are nit-picking :) I believe itr's the first narrow angle V6, or possibly the first V6 engine. It couldn't be the frist V-engine, because V8's were used in planes from the early days of aviation, and in Fords from the 30's, quite possibly earlier. Some rat rods have (original) IFS too, not sure what the Lancia claim is, or what year? On the 5 speed, I have no idea.

[1,6 HF]

Yes, did mean to say first production narrow-angle V-engine, although they did make the first production V4 and V6, as well. And I was speaking of automobile engines.

But you need to set your sights pretty early.

Lancia's first V-engine patent was for a V8 in 1915, and their first successful V-engine was 1917 (24.0L V12 aero). But DeDion Bouton and Cadillac had both produced V8 automobile engines by then.

Lancia's claim is the first production narrow-angle V, which was the 4.6L 22-deg V8 for the Trikappa in 1922.

Lancia's IFS patent dates to 1921 and was brought into production in 1922 in the Lambda, which also had the first production V4 (narrow-angle) and the first unit body construction. The first production V6 was in the Aurelia, in 1951 (which is where we came in, with the Michelin X radials).

The first production 5-speed was the 3rd series Ardea in 1948.

[DJ]

I think Ed's just making all this stuff up to impress us. :D

[1,6 HF]

To quote the immortal Casey Stengel, "you could look it up."

[Jim Keller]

Well, I knew the difference, (Aurelia-Aprilia), I have models of both, I just get confused! LOL

I knew Lancia has a boat load of firsts for "production" cars, but I didn't know that one, and I can thank the muscle car crowd for that info!, weird hu? ha ha