The New York herald., 1921-01-09
LA FAYETTE EXHIBIT
INCLUDES CHASSIS
Mechanism of Car Revealed
for Inspection of. the
Show Visitors.

Because the La Fayette was the first
motor car to be designed from radiator
20 rear axle following the war. embody-
ing practices developed during the war;.
and because it was designed by d.
Mccall White, whose engineering abili Y
is generally recognized, interest in the
car is centred in the mechanical con-
struction.
Means of closely studying the ad-
vanced engineering ideas of this car are
well afforded in the La Fayette exhibit
on the third floor of the Grand Central
Palace in chassis of polished and bur-
nished metal, similar to European
chassis of Mr. Whites which was voted
the best at one of London's Olympia
shows. Although the La Fayette was
introduced in New York a year ago. this
IS the first time chassis has been pre-
scented to the public. +a
The entire chassis weighs only 2.575
pounds. although its apparent strength
gives the impression OF greater weight.
The 90-horse power. eight cylinder en-
sine is not radical In design. The cyl
inder blocks are set at an angle OF so
degrees which has proved most reliable
and advantageous for eight cylinder con-
struction. Engineering skill is to be
found in the wholesale simplification
and reduction Of weight without loss of
strength or reliability. For example, the
hollow CTAnhSndll, NtlbIlHb Ollly oV ~
pounds. inherently has less whip" than
the conventional heavier type, and IS
held in five main. bearings instead OF the
orthodox three, thereby distributing the
wear over q much greater bearing sur
face and increasing the life OF the en-
gne.
Like the crankshaft. the can1shaft Is
followed drop forging with sixteen in
tegral cams and five cast iron bearings.
IN inst al VfCidifV and nraciSa
valve action. The idea of extra large
bearing surfaces and low bearing pres
sure is carried throughout the chassis in
the interest of longer life.
The manufacturing equipment of the
La Fayette factory is said to resemble
that used to produce Liberty engines.
The connecting rods, for example, are
machined all over and carefully ball
anced. In fact, the balance is carried
even TO the 21s ounce wrist pins, which
are individually tested on a balancing
scale. Not only are the pistons ma
chned to the closest possible limits, but
after that they are selected for each
engine.
'rhe cooling system is unique in sew
eral important respects. single pump
OF dual action type, patented by La Fay
ette. forces water to the centre of botn
cylinder blocks by means OF two inlets
and two outlets. This pump is driven
entirely by the crankshaft, eliminating
the necessity for driving gears.
The La Fayette cellular radiator. sup
ported on the frame with a stiffening
base of solid aluminium, is fitted with
vertical shutters, which, without atten-
tion from the operator, control the air
circulation under the hood and maintain
1the engine at the temperature required
for the most efficient and economical
operation. These shutters not only con-
troll the engine temperature, but are
substantial protection to the radiator
and are distinctive in appearance.
This power of the engine is carried to
the rear wheels through a transmission
system remarkable for it's reduction of
friction. The unit power plant Is set in
the frame at such an angle that the
power is transmitted in a straight line
TO the rear axle, and but one universal
Joint is needed. The universal joint,
with it's hardened steel bearings is en-
closed in an oiltight casing on the rear
Of the transmission, with automatic lu-
brication. 4 large tubular propeller
shaft. completely enclosed in "A torque
tube, continues the power to the rear
axle. while the rigid torque tube trans
mits the tractlve effort of the rear
wheels TO the chassis.
Another, exclusive La Fayette device
is the brake equalizing differential
mounted on the rear of the transmission
case. II operates on the same principle
as the rear axle differential, and, being
enclosed and fabricated, insures posi-