Richelieu T-85

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Richelieu
Richelieu T-85 Touring, probably with Fleetwood body (1922)
Richelieu T-85 Touring, probably with Fleetwood body (1922)
T-85
Production period: 1922-1923
Class : Upper class
Body versions : Touring cars , roadsters
Engines: Otto engine :
5.6 liters (60.4 kW)
Length:
Width:
Height:
Wheelbase : 3327 mm
Empty weight : 1474 kg

The Richelieu T-85 was an American luxury sports car built only in 1922 and 1923 . The manufacturer was Richelieu Motor Car Corporation in Asbury Park , Monmouth County , New Jersey .

Richelieu

Richelieu advertisement, ca.1922

The company was founded in October 1921 by former Duesenberg Motors Corporation (DMC) executives , NG Rost and William Beckman . One of the investors was Newton Van Zandt , who previously ran Revere Motor Car Corporation and Duesenberg Automobile & Motors Corporation . Revere was a competitor who also used Duesenberg engines. It cannot be ruled out that Van Zandt, who was occasionally prone to dubious methods, had secretly brought a Revere to Asbury Park and used it there as a template for the T-85 without the knowledge of the Revere Motor Car Corporation .

Model T-85 was the company's only series. Its failure in the market led to the failure of the manufacturer. The 85 bhp (63.4 kW) offered more than sufficient power for its time; the racing version from which it was derived had 103 bhp (74.6 kW).

technology

Complete data is only available for the engine. It is noted that not only the technical data are the same as those of the Revere Model C ; the information in the prospectus in the documents of Revere and Richelieu is literally the same except for the brand name. These are strong indications that the T-85 was an exact copy of the Revere , but there is no direct evidence.

engine

Rochester-Duesenberg Model G-3 four-cylinder (1919). This is the smaller version of the walking beam motor used by Richelieu . The externally identical G-3 and G-1 only differ in the cylinder bore and thus in the performance.

Because of its historical importance for the Duesenberg brand , the Rochester-Duesenberg Model G-1 is quite well documented. It was the larger of two available versions. The original design goes back to a patent from the brothers Fred S. and August S. Duesenberg in 1914. These engines were actually developed for racing. They were manufactured by Duesenberg Motors Corporation (DMC) until the beginning of 1918 , most recently as a racing version with four valves per cylinder. In 1919 the DMC was liquidated; The machines, tools and rights to the walking beam engine were acquired by Rochester Motors Company, Inc. With the help of Fred Duesenberg, the engine was revised in important areas. The unusual walking beam - valve control with extra long rocker arms has been retained in milder form. A new crankshaft housing with a deeper trough made it possible to mount the camshaft higher in the housing. This enabled shorter rocker arms to be used.

Other changes included a new cylinder head in which the valves - still two per cylinder - were offset. Now only one instead of two spark plugs per cylinder were provided. The changes to the camshaft resulted in a number of other adjustments, including a new chain for its drive and that of the ancillary units, as well as a new intake manifold. The street versions were already called Model G at Duesenberg ; this name was adopted by Rochester , where G-1 stands for the somewhat larger engine described here.

The displacement is 340.5 ci (5579 cc) with a bore of 4¼ "(107.95 mm) and a stroke of 6" (152.4 mm). For the Richelieu T-85, the manufacturer noted an output of 85 bhp (63.4 kW); Usually it is specified as 81 bhp (60.4 kW) for this engine. The NACC rating based on the cylinder bore is 28.9 HP.

chassis

The Richelieu T-85 has a conventional chassis and rear-wheel drive . A wheelbase of 131 inches (3327 mm) is well documented.

Since no other information is available, a conventional ladder frame with front and rear rigid axles can be assumed; that of the Revere was double-cranked and had semi-elliptical leaf springs attached to the outside of the side members with mountings for shock absorbers that were available as an option . A central chassis lubrication system was also available .

The T-85 was equipped with 32 × 4½ inch wheels.

Power transmission

A four-speed transmission with a directly translated top gear is mentioned; In the sporty version, fourth gear was designed as overdrive.

The rear axle was optionally 3.0: 1 or 3.5: 1 gear reduction.

Bodies

Richelieu T-85 Sport Touring, probably with Fleetwood body (1922). In contrast to the vehicle shown above, this T-85 has a radiator casing painted in the same color as the car, special spare wheel covers and a special version of the convertible top. Nickel-plated steps and Houk spoke wheels were part of the basic equipment. The position lights have been moved to a different location.

Initially, the Richelieu was only available as a four-door Touring ex works . In 1923 a roadster was added.

Most of the Richelieu received factory bodies from Fleetwood . Even before its takeover by General Motors, the company had a considerable customer list with many well-known luxury brands, including ALCo , Biddle , American Fiat , Benz , Chadwick , Simplex and Crane-Simplex , Daniels , Doble , Duesenberg , Ford , FRP , Hispano-Suiza , Isotta Fraschini , LaFayette , Lancia , Lincoln , Locomobile , Minerva , Mercedes , Meteor , Owen Magnetic , Packard , Pierce-Arrow , Porter , Renault , Rolls-Royce and SGV .

Some vehicles produced later received bodies from local coachbuilders such as the United Body Company in Rahway, New Jersey, which the company may have owned for a short time. As one of the suppliers of Locomobile factory bodies and with custom-made products for various European brands ( Mercedes , Renault , Rolls-Royce ), United Body had experience in the market for luxury automobiles.

The bodies produced in small series were also handcrafted products of high quality. At that time they usually consisted of a wooden framework with sheet metal planking.

The T-85 was initially only available as a four-door touring with a body from Fleetwood , a roadster and a sedan followed in 1923. The design was sporty-European.

With the nickel-plated radiator bezel rounded at the top, the Richelieu was not only reminiscent of large Fiat models, which at that time belonged to the upper class in the USA; there is a great visual similarity to the Revere , among other things with the tightly cut fenders and the nickel-plated steps in front of each door instead of a continuous running board. Wire-spoke wheels , large, drum-shaped headlights and a horizontally split windshield completed the equipment.

Model overview

The following model overview is based on the information provided by automotive historians Beverly Rae Kimes and Henry Austin Clark, Jr. in the Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942 , 3rd edition, 1996. For the technical data, Fred Roe: Duesenberg - The Pursuit of Perfection. (1982) used.

Model
rating 		construction time engine Power
bhp / kW		 Wheelbase
in / mm
 body Price
US $
 Remarks
T-85 1922 R4 WB
Duesenberg G
340.6 ci
5580 cm³		 81 / 60.4 kW 131/3327 Touring , 4 pl 3950.00
T-85 1923 R4 WB
Duesenberg G
340.6 ci
5580 cm³		 81 / 60.4 kW 131/3327 Touring, 4 pl 4200.00
T-85 1923 R4 WB
Duesenberg G
340.6 ci
5580 cm³		 81 / 60.4 kW 131/3327 Roadster , 2 pl 4200.00
T-85 1923 R4 WB
Duesenberg G
340.6 ci
5580 cm³		 81 / 60.4 kW 131/3327 Sedan , 7 pl 4200.00

Comparison Revere / Richelieu (1922)

In this comparison, the Revere Series D with the engine Rochester-Duesenberg G-1 was used, which was also used in the Richelieu T-85.

Data Revere Series D Richelieu T-85
Engine: Rochester-Duesenberg G-1
28.9 HP
Construction: Four-cylinder - inline engine
cast iron - engine block
four-stroke engine
Valves: 8
lying
Valve train : Walking beam
inlet and side outlet
Bore × stroke : 4¼ × 6
Displacement: 340.6 ci / 5580 cc
Power: 81 bhp (60.4 kW) 81 bhp (60.4 kW)
85 bhp (63.4 kW)
Transmission: 4-speed 4-speed; top corridor directly
Reduction: 3.6: 1 3.0: 1
opt. 3.5: 1
Wheelbase : 131 in / 3327 mm
Bikes: 32 × 4½ in

Series from other manufacturers with Rochester-Duesenberg engines

The Roamer Motor Car Company was by far the largest buyer of Rochester-Duesenberg-Motorewn. Advert from 1920

Remarks

NACC rating. Table for 1917–18.
  1. ↑ The NACC rating was a predecessor formula for SAE-PS . The NACC ( National Automobile Chamber of Commerce ) was an association of the automotive industry founded in 1913 and the successor to the ALAM ( Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers ), which was the first to introduce this standard in the US automotive industry in 1903. It therefore corresponds to the NACC formula. The power is calculated: cylinder bore ² × number of cylinders, the result is divided by 2.5. SAE-PS were later developed from this formula, it is also the basis of the British tax-PS at that time.
  2. ↑ Different data; BR Kimes, HA Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1805-1942 was used. 1996, pp. 124-125.
  3. ^ Based on BR Kimes, HA Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1805-1942. 1996, pp. 124-125.
  4. ↑ All data were compiled from Kimes / Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805–1942. (1996); Roe: Duesenberg - The Pursuit of Perfection. (1982) and Butler: Auburn Cord Duesenberg. (1992).

literature

Web links

Commons : Richelieu T-85  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Daniel Strohl, Hemmings Classic Car, February 2006: Revere's Ride.
  2. ^ Roe: Duesenberg - The Pursuit of Perfection. 1982, p. 44.
  3. ↑ a b c Roe: Duesenberg - The Pursuit of Perfection. 1982, p. 70.
  4. ↑ a b c Roe: Duesenberg - The Pursuit of Perfection. 1982, p. 63.
  5. ↑ a b c d Classic Car Database: Standard Specifications Revere C Series, Rochester-Duesenberg G1 engine, 131 in. Wheelbase.
  6. ↑ a b c d e f g h i Roe: Duesenberg - The Pursuit of Perfection. 1982, p. 65.
  7. ^ Roe: Duesenberg - The Pursuit of Perfection. 1982, p. 66.
  8. ↑ a b B. R. Kimes, HA Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1805-1942. 1996, p. 1289 (Richelieu).
  9. ↑ coachbuilt.com: Fleetwood.
  10. ↑ coachbuilt.com: United body.
  11. ^ BR Kimes, HA Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1805-1942. 1996, pp. 124-125 (Biddle).
  12. ^ BR Kimes, HA Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1805-1942. 1996, pp. 62-63 (Argonne).
  13. ^ BR Kimes, HA Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1805-1942. 1996, p. 803 (Kenworthy).
  14. ^ BR Kimes, HA Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1805-1942. 1996, p. 961 (Mercury).
  15. ^ BR Kimes, HA Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1805-1942. 1996, p. 966 (Meteor).
  16. ^ BR Kimes, HA Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 1996, pp. 1245-1246 (Premocar).
  17. ^ BR Kimes, HA Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1805-1942. 1996, SS 1286-1287 (Revere).
  18. ^ BR Kimes, HA Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1805-1942. 1996, pp. 1297-1299 (Roamer).
  19. ↑ a b B. R. Kimes, HA Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1805-1942. 1996, pp. 1344-1345 (Shaw).
  20. ^ BR Kimes, HA Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1805-1942. 1996, p. 355 (Colonial).