The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-27
THE 1914 CADILLAC
ANNOUNCEMENT MADE

anent the 1914 Cadillac has been given
the public The Drennen company in
this state agents for that car, has fur
nished the following information,
which will be of wide interest to auto
mobilists:
Motorists. mindful of the Cadillac
achievements in the development of the
automobile, and therefore accustomed
to look to that car each year for new
and progressive features. are reading
with avidity the 1914 announcement
just issued. in which at last is revealed
the nature of the latest models In
view of past Cadillac accomplishments
which included the introduction of the
first practical electric cranl5ing de-
vice. and therefore the relegation for
ever of the awkward method of pump
Ing the engine into activity by means
of hand labor, the keenest curiosity
was aroused as to what the new me-
chanical element would be.
THAT curiosity has been appeased by
the announcement that the 1914 Cadil-
lac VIII be endowed with a two-speed
direct drive axle. While curiosity has
been somewhat satisfied, the new me-
chanical element has started a buzzing
of discussion and comment, because
the device will have a revolutionary
effect on the results attained In lux
ury, 1exibility and economy Execu-
tiyes of the Cadillac are already as
sured by letters, kilograms and rush
of visitors that no other forward step
ever taken has created such a pro-
found impression or aroused more
widespread interest.
THE methods by which the 1914
Cadillac two-speed direct drive axle
secures increased luxury, efficiency
and economy are most appreciated by
the man who is thoroughly versed in
however, may be given of this revolu-
tonary feature in more or less non
technical language.
1T is not merely as an axle that this
mechanism is a great advance in mo-
tor car construction. Its peculiar
function is of another nature. Hereto
fore the power of the engine has been
transmitted to the rear axle by a
single bevel pinion and single bevel
driving gear. Therefore there could
be at all times, and under all the vari-
GUS conditions of travel which might
arise, only one ratio between the revo-
lutions of the engine and the revolu-
tions of the rear axle as it absorbed
the power, except for the changes af-
forded by the shifting of the trans
mission gears by the hand lever. Now
however, by means of the new axle,
the Cadillac will have two direct drive
gear ratios in transmitting the power
to the rear wheels.
Usually the single direct drive gear
ratio ranges from 3.5 to l down to
to l, according to the car and ac-
cording TO the success of the mechanic
cal designer in securing that ratio best
adapted to his particular car That
single ratio had to do the best 1t could
under all circumstances. Now, with
two ratios, there is just double the.
means for promoting the economical
and efficient application of the power
developed by the engine to the driving
of the car.
"On the 1914 Cadillac the low direct
drive gear ratio is S.66 to l. the high
direct drive gear ratio is 2.5 to /. The
low is especially adapted for city driv-
ing where traffic problems are met,
where speed must be low and stops
and starts frequent A simple con-
venient electric switch changes the
gear ratio from the low direct to the
high direct and the car is ready for
conditions which permit speed rate
of 16 miles per hour or more
With the high direct gear ratio in
operation at any given speed of the
engine, the speed of the car is in
creased about AZ per cent over what it
would be with the low direct gear ra-
ito. This point is illustrated thus: AT
an engine speed of 700 revolutions per
WIN lie lOW QiTttl- gear, Inc
car speed is 81 miles per hour; employ
ing the high direct gear will increase
the speed to 80 miles per hour without
any increase in engine speed.
"Oue of the prime benefits claimed is
lower fuel consumption because of the
facts just stated and because the fuel
is used to greater advantage. Other
advantages include less friction in
high gear by reason of the parts NOV
ing more slowly. hence less wear and
almost the entire elimination of vibra-
tion. There Is also greatly increased
comfort due to a luxurious smoothness
of operation; yet these desirable results
are obtained without complicating tho
engine.
There are several other features of
the 1914 Cadillac that are attracting
much attentions; an improved and SIM
plified Cadillac Delco electrical auto
matte cranking, lighting and ignition;
system; a more efficient carburetor;
stunning body designs and many re-
fnements of Details"