Stephens Salient Six

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Stephens
Stephens Salient Six Series 90 Roadster (1922)
Stephens Salient Six Series 90 Roadster (1922)
Salient Six
Six
Production period: 1917-1924
Class : Upper middle class , upper class
Body versions : Roadster
touring car
coupe
sedan
Engines: Petrol engines :
3.7 liters
(42.5-44.0 kW)
Length:
Width:
Height:
Wheelbase : 2972-3150 mm
Empty weight : from approx. 1320 kg
Previous model Six Series 60
successor Six Series 10 & 20

The Stephens Salient Six was a middle class and upper class automobile, which was under this designation from 1917 to 1922 and technically largely identical until 1924 as Six resp. 6-20 was produced. The manufacturer was the Stephens Automobile Branch of the Moline Plow Company until 1922 and the Stephens Motor Car Company from 1922 . Stephens' total production is estimated to be under 20,000 to 35,000 automobiles. The Moline Plow Company was temporarily owned by the companies controlled by John North Willys .

With the separation of the automotive division from Moline Plow and the formation of the Stephens Motor Car Company , the previous division became independent. How the new company was financed is unclear. However, Moline Plow had announced that she wanted to concentrate on the core business of agricultural machinery. There hardly seems to have been any changes in the management , which could indicate a management buyout .

With the 70 series, the model name Salient Six was introduced, which lasted until the end of 1922 and the 70, 80 and 90 series

prehistory

In 1915, the Moline (Illinois) -based agricultural machinery and tractor manufacturer Moline Plow Company began preparing its own automobile production, with which a market slump in the core agricultural machinery business was to be absorbed. The Stephens Six was a mid- size passenger car designed by engineer Edward T. Birdsall . Production was prepared in Detroit , but set up in Freeport, Illinois , where it remained throughout the production of the Stephens automobiles. The Salient Six was also created here. The subsidiary Stephens Automobile Branch , which was headed by Matthew A. Steele , was responsible for this . Chief Engineer was John T. Trumble , who had previously held similar positions with the Flint, Michigan-based automakers Monroe Motor Company and Chevrolet Motor Company. The latter was not yet part of General Motors at the time .

All Stephens were perceived as assembled cars , i.e. H. Car, this were put together from purchased components. This was a common procedure, but it was often perceived as being of poor quality. In the case of the carefully constructed Stephens Six and his successors, that was probably not the case, but it was definitely a market disadvantage.

technology

Although many of the components were manufactured specifically for Stephens, the public perceived the vehicle as an assembled vehicle . H. a car assembled from purchased components. There were dozens of such brands and hardly any of them lasted long and their products (including trucks or tractors) were often seen as of inferior quality - often wrongly, such as Argonne , Biddle , Cole , Daniels , Handley-Knight , Kenworthy , Use Meteor , Revere , Richelieu or Roamer .

The Stephens was also seriously designed and solidly built. Technically it was inconspicuous; its six-cylinder engine with initially 57 and later 59 bhp was class standard.

engine

For the previous model, Stephens had used a conventional, side-controlled six - cylinder Continental Type 7-W with a displacement of 224.0 ci (3670 cm³) and 55 bhp (41 kW). He was replaced in the Salient Six by an overhead pilot from the Root & Vandervoort Engineering Company (R&V) in East Moline . Because this company already supplied most of the engines for parent company Moline Plow Company's farm equipment , it was a natural choice for the Stephens too. Moline Plow took over R&V in 1920 .

Interestingly, the R & V engine with 3¼ " bore (82.55 mm) and 4½" stroke (114.3 mm) has the same dimensions as its predecessor from Continental . With 57 bhp (42.5 kW) @ 2600 / min in the version up to 1922 and 59 bhp (44.0 kW) @ 2750 / min in the series 10 and 20 (1923-1924) it does little more than its predecessor. The crankshaft has three bearings. In connection with a Fedders water cooler and an Oakes fan with a ball-bearing fan, it also has the thermosiphon cooling system that was widespread at the time and works without pressure in the cooling system.

A special technical feature of the R&V engine was that the air was led to the combustion chambers through ducts in the cylinder head . Here it was preheated by the exhaust gases, which should lead to better combustion. The manufacturer said that bad fuels would also be “cracked” and optimally burned. Cooling channels that were attached to the water circuit should limit the temperature to prevent overheating. In fact, the inferior fuels often found at the time were a constant problem. Very large valves should accelerate the filling and emptying of the combustion chambers. The valves with double valve springs could be adjusted with a screw while the engine was running. The cylinder head was removable.

Stephens used both Tillotson - as Stromberg - downdraft carburetor , fed by Stewart vacuum -Benzinförderung.

The electrical 6-volt system was operated by a USL battery with 113 amps. AutoLite (until 1920), Connecticut (1921–1922) and Delco (1923–1924) supplied the ignition, starter and lighting . The semi-automatic ignition advance, which was operated with a slide control on the steering wheel, was also a Delco product.

According to the NACC rating , the performance was estimated at 35.25 hp. As a result of the measuring method, which only deals with the bore, all Stephens engines achieved this performance. The 25.3 tax horsepower in Great Britain is derived from this. Stephens published the performance according to NACC until 1920, then as a more realistic bhp. The resulting "jump in performance" from 25.3 to 57 resp. 59 bhp is therefore not a consequence of technical changes.

Power transmission

The vehicle naturally had a shaft drive . Stephens had the three-speed transmission with reverse gear built according to his own plans. A ball bearing mounted output shaft was mentioned as a special feature. The 10 inch diameter dry disc clutch was obtained from Borg & Beck .

Chassis and suspension

The chassis consists of a conventional pressed steel - lead frame with five beams and each having a torsion tube at each end. There were rigid axles from and behind, typical of the time ; the latter was supplied by Timken . The leaf springs were obtained from Mather , at least for later models . On the Series 90, they measured 37½ inches (95.3 cm) in front and 52½ inches (133.4 cm) in the back, with each 2 inches (5.1 cm) wide.

The Salient Six received wooden-spoke artillery wheels with tires measuring 32 × 4½ inches and a removable wheel rim ; one supplier was Stanweld . The steering came from Gemmer . Braking was done by means of drums on the rear axle. The handbrake worked on a drum at the transmission output.

The wheelbase changed several times:

  • 118 inches (2997 mm): Salient Six Series 70, 1918-1919
  • 122 in. (3099 mm): Salient Six Series 80 and 90, 1920-1922
  • 117 in. (2972 mm): Salient Six Series 10, 1923
  • 124 in (3,150 mm): Six and 6-20 Series 20, 19123-1924

The track gauge is noted on the Series 90 as 56 inches (1422 mm); the information is missing for other series.

Bodies

A special feature of Stephens automobiles was their body. It was created by hand according to the principles of individual body construction according to principles that were also applied to automobiles in the top price segment. The structure consisted of stored hardwood and was planked with sheet steel.

Furnishing

The large standard equipment included a hall - central chassis lubrication , a Stewart Tacho to 75 mph (), electric horn, air intakes in front of the windshield, a transmission lock from being stolen, and even a Kellogg -Luftpumpe for the tire. Available was a Boyce - Motometer . The radiator grille was apparently available in a nickel-plated or painted version.

Model history

The Stephens was sold as Six (Series 60) from May 1916. This version had a Continental engine , a 115-inch (2921 mm) wheelbase, and was available as a 5-seater touring (probably Model 64). At the turn of the year 1916/1917 a 3-seater Roadster Model 62 was added. At launch, both cost US $ 1,150.

Salient Six Series 70 (1918-1919)

Stephens Salient Six in Horseless Age magazine , April 1, 1918. The new sedan of the 70 series is also on display

With the 70 series, the model name Salient Six was introduced, the wheelbase grew to 118 inches (2997 mm). The biggest technical change, however, concerned the engine, which, according to Stephens, was made by Root & Vandervoort Engineering Company (brand name R & V ). It was overhead steering and made 57 bhp (42.5 kW) @ 2600 / min. marginally more than its predecessor. The engine received starter , lighting and ignition of Delco , a Stromberg - downdraft carburetor and Stewart -Vakuumbenzinförderanlage. The vehicle had a three-speed transmission and a Borg & Beck - clutch . The differential was spiral-toothed and geared down with 4.75: 1.

The wooden spoke artillery wheels with tires measuring 32 × 4 inches were carried over

In 1918 a Roadster Model 72 for US $ 1485 was the only model. It was given up for 1919, instead there was now a 4-seater (Model 74-A), 5-seater (Model 74-B) and 6-seater Touring (Model 74) at US $ 1675.-, 1775.- resp. 1850.-. A four-seater Victoria (model 76) from 1975, was derived from the Touring and anticipated the later Foursome models. The first closed Stephens appeared with the 5-seater sedan (model 75?). At US $ 1985.- it was comparatively cheap; Before the mass production of such vehicles was introduced (for example at Essex from 1922), such elaborate variants could cost up to twice the price of a touring.

The front of the car was reminiscent of contemporary Dodge and Citroën vehicles, but it was larger than these.

Salient Six Series 80 (1920-1921)

From the end of 1919 the division began to call itself the Moline Plow Company, Stephens Motor Works .

The technical changes in the Series 80 are minimal. The wheelbase grew to 122 inches (3099 mm) and the ignition system first switched to AutoLite and then to Connecticut . In 1920 there was another roadster, and it did so twice: 2-seater as model 82 and 4-seater as model 82-A. Both cost US $ 1975.- each. There was also a 6-seater Touring (model 84, US $ 2050.-) and the 5-seater sedan (model 85). This had become drastically more expensive and, like the new coupé only offered this year, cost US $ 3,050. The coupé and the 4-seater roadster were discontinued in 1921, but a 4-seater touring (model 84-A) appeared alongside the 6-seater. The sedan became a 6-seater and now cost an impressive US $ 3400. All open variants saw a price increase to US $ 2,400.

Salient Six Series 90 (1922)

The Stephens Salient Six Series 90 for model year 1922 was again hardly changed. A visual distinguishing feature is the new rectangular logo with an "S" stylized as a lightning bolt and the lettering Stephens underneath. The wheelbase remained at 122 inches (3099 mm), 33 × 4½ inch tires were now used. Furthermore, Stromberg gasifier occupied. There is also an indication of the track width , which was noted as 56 inches (1422 mm). Prices have been drastically cut.

In its final year of production, the car received no fewer than 11 body variants, according to the sales brochure, more than ever before. Breaking them down is not easy. A sales brochure only shows eight in it; the Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805–1942 lists seven.

Identification is made even more difficult because Stephens only shows the model numbers in its own documents, whereas the standard catalog only uses the body designation without the model number. What is certain is that there were two roadsters: Model 92 in the standard version and Model 92-B with "helmet" fenders, steps and Houk wire-spoke wheels or fashionable full-disc wheels. They cost US $ 1,800 or 1900.-, although it is a guess that model 92-B was the more expensive version.

There were at least three open four-seater: Touring, Touring Victoria (US $ 1850.- each) and Victoria (US $ 1950.-); the latter is also known as a foursome . In addition there were 6-seater Touring and Special Touring for US $ 1850, respectively. 1950.-, although it is unclear whether “Special” also referred to other fenders and wheels or to better equipment. With the models 94, 94-A, 94-B and 96, the catalog shows four Touring in profile, but without explaining the differences. Model 94-A is, like the Roadster 92-B, a sport version with short front fenders, four steps instead of the continuous running boards but with wooden spoked wheels. en; the new front fenders ended at the side of the torpedo sheet. The 6-seater sedan remained the only closed model. It still cost US $ 3,400. The brochure for 1922 shows another four-door sedan, model 93 , which is not in the list of the Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805–1942 .

A new six

The only real facelift for the Stephens came in 1923. It was also more cosmetic, and once again little changed in terms of technology. The new radiator grille was reminiscent of the successful Reo passenger car . The engine output increased to 59 bhp for both series. For the first time, two series were offered at the same time, which hardly differed technically. There were three different rear axle ratios; one for Series 20 and two for Series 10 , which otherwise only differed in the wheelbase.

The Stromberg downflow carburetor used up to now has been replaced by a Tillotson , like the one used by Willys-Knight or Handley-Knight . Some body styles were only available in one or the other series. From the clear price differences between series 10 and 20, the efforts of the management can be deduced to influence the sales figures positively by diversification downwards. The experiment ended after a year with the discontinuation of series 10.

Six Series 10 (1923)

The new Series 10 received a 117-inch (2972 mm) wheelbase and wheels with 32 × 4-inch tires, as had been used for the Stephens Six at the start of production . Four variants were available in the Series 10 . Are occupied Model 12 , a 3-seater roadster to US $ 1345.-, Model 15 , a five-seater touring to only US $ 1295.-, Model 16 , a Touring Sedan -called 5-seater coach to US $ 1,595 .- and Model 18 , a four-door, 6-seat sedan priced at US $ 1950.-.

The reduction ratio on the rear axle was 5.09: 1 for the Touring and Sedan and 4.66: 1 for the other two models.

Six Series 20 (1923-1924)

With a wheelbase of 124 inches (3,150 mm), the Series 20 was the longest Stephens model; but now it was shorter than the main rival Packard (Single Six), who went from 116 inches (2946 mm) to 126 inches (3200 mm) resp. 133 inches (3378 mm) had grown.

Series 20 comprised the Model 24, a 7-seater Touring for US $ 1685, a 7-seater, four-door Sedan Model 27 for US $ 2385, and undoubtedly the most attractive model, the 26 Sport with 4 seats for US $ 1985. -, for which the term foursome is also used. The reduction on the rear axle was 5.5: 1 for all three variants.

6-20 Series 20 (1924)

For the 1924 model year there was again only one series; Series 10 was canceled without replacement. New for the 1924 model year, the Stephens appeared under the model name 6-20 , from which it can be seen that it is the continuation of the Series 20 from the previous year. Technical changes are not known, the prices for the three versions, which remain unchanged, fell to US $ 1585.- for Model 24 , Touring (minus US $ 100.-), US $ 2250 for Model 25 (new name for the Sedan, minus US $ 135.-) and only US $ 1750.- for the attractive Foursome , now called Model 24-B . These facts point to a simplification in production and possibly an adjustment of equipment, but no evidence could be found for this.

Production of the Stephens ended in the summer of 1924.

production

The most exact production figures can be found in the Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805–1942 . According to this source, 1,337 Six and 17,809 Salient Six including Six Series 10 and 20 and 6-20 were made.

Trivia

The 1995 TV film Truman features a Stephens Salient Six (Victoria) Touring.

Remarks

  1. ↑ The notation Continental 7-W is used according to William Wagner: Continental !: Its Motors and its People , Aero Publishers (1982), ISBN 0-8168-4506-9 . Alternatively, the spelling Continental 7W is also common.
  2. ↑ Predecessor formula for SAE-PS . NACC ( National Automobile Chamber of Commerce ) was an association of the automobile industry founded in 1913 and the successor to the ALAM ( Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers ), which introduced the first standards in US automobile manufacture in 1903. The method was also used by the RAC in Great Britain .
  3. ↑ To make work easier after a flat tire, only the removable wheel rim and tires were replaced, the hub and wooden spokes remained on the vehicle. Such wheels were common in the 1910s and 1920s.

literature

  • Beverly Rae Kimes (Editor), Henry Austin Clark Jr.: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805–1942. 3. Edition. Krause Publications, Iola WI (1996), ISBN 978-0-87341-428-9 ISBN 0-87341-428-4
  • Beverly Rae Kimes: Pioneers, Engineers, and Scoundrels: The Dawn of the Automobile in America. Published by SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) Permissions, Warrendale PA 2005, ISBN 0-7680-1431-X
  • Tad Burness: American Car Spotter's Guide, 1920-1939 ; MBI Motorbooks International, Osceola WI (1975), ISBN 0-87938-026-8
  • David Beecroft: History of the American Automobile Industry ; Reprint of a series of articles in The Automobile magazine , first published between October 1915 and August 1916. Publisher: lulu.com (March 14, 2009); ISBN 0-557-05575-X ; ISBN 978-0-557-05575-3
  • Stephens Motor Works (Ed.): Achievement: Stephens Salient Six (sales brochure, 1922)
  • Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers ALAM ( National Automobile Chamber of Commerce ; Inc. NACC): Handbook of Automobiles 1915-1916 Dover Publications, Inc .; Reprint (1970)
  • Stephens Motor Works (Ed.): Achievement: Stephens Salient Six (sales brochure, 1922)
  • Stephens Motor Branch of Moline Plow Co: Stephens Six. Best by test. (Sales advertisement Series 60, Motor Age , February 8, 1917, p. 59; Fig .: Touring 5 Pl.)
  • Horseless Age, Vol. 43 No. 7, April 1, 1918, p. 27: Stephens Salient Six ; Report.
  • Moline Plow Company, Stephens Motor Works: Stephens Salient Six (sales advertisement Series 80, Motor Age , November 6, 1919, p. 282; ill .: Coupé 3-4 Pl. With wire-spoke wheels)
  • Moline Plow Company, Stephens Motor Works: Stephens Salient Six. Salient in Value - Salient in Service. (Sales advertisement Series 70, Literary Digest , December 6, 1919, p. 107; Ill .: Victoria)
  • Stephens Motor Works of Moline Plow Company: Stephens Salient Six. Salient beauty that catches the attention at once. (Series 80 sales advertisement, The Saturday Evening Post , October 16, 1920, p. 156; Ill .: Sedan)
  • Stephens Motor Works of Moline Plow Company: Economy - Stephens Salient Six. (Sales advertisement Salient Six Series 80, 1920–1921, The Saturday Evening Post , publication date unknown; Fig .: Touring Series 80, 1920–1921)
  • Stephens Motor Cars: Seven New Stephens Body Types. $ 1295 now Price of Touring car for Five. (Sales advertisement Six Series 10 + 20, The Saturday Evening Post , February 17, 1923, p. 100; Fig .: Touring Series 10)
  • Stephens Motor Cars: Announcing a New Line of Motor Cars at lower Prices. (Sales advertisement Six Series 10 + 20, no information on publication; Fig .: Foursome Series 20)
  • Stephens Motor Cars: Range, Speed, Distinction United in Touring Sedan at $ 1595. (Sales advertisement Six Series 10 + 20, no information on publication; Fig .: Touring (2-Dr) Sedan Series 10)
  • Harald H. Linz, Halwart Schrader : The International Automobile Encyclopedia . United Soft Media Verlag, Munich 2008, ISBN 978-3-8032-9876-8 .

Web links

> Horseless Age , Vol. 43, No. 7, April 1, 1918, p. 27: Stephens Salient Six

Commons : Stephens  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c d e f g Kimes / Clark, Standard Catalog (1996), p. 1395 (Stephens)
  2. ^ A b c Willys Overland Knight Registry: Stephens History
  3. ↑ Old Cars Weekly: Stephens brought fine car building to Midwestern farmland
  4. ↑ a b c d e Kimes / Clark, Standard Catalog (1996), pp. 1395–1396 (Stephens)
  5. ↑ a b carfolio.com: Specifications Stephens Model 60 (1917)
  6. ↑ a b c carfolio.com: Specifications Stephens Salient Six Model 75 (1918)
  7. ↑ classiccardatabase.com: Standard Specifications 1918 Davis HI & K Series
  8. ↑ a b c Stephens Motor Cars: Seven New Stephens Body Types. $ 1295 now Price of Touring car for Five. (Sales advertisement Six Series 10 + 20, The Saturday Evening Post , February 17, 1923, p. 100; Fig .: Touring Series 10)
  9. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Willys Overland Knight Registry: Stephens Six Series 10 and 20 (1923-1924); technical data (factory information)
  10. ↑ a b c d Burness: American Car Spotter's Guide, 1920-1939 (1975), p. 257
  11. ^ NACC: Handbook of Automobiles 1915–1916 (Reprint 1970), p. 212
  12. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j Stephens Motor Works: Achievement: Stephens Salient Six (sales brochure, 1922)
  13. ↑ carfolio.com: Specifications Stephens Salient Six Model 84 (1919)
  14. ↑ carfolio.com: Specifications Stephens Salient Six Model 84 (1921)
  15. ↑ carfolio.com: Specifications Stephens Salient Six Model 18
  16. ↑ carfolio.com: Specifications Stephens Salient Six Model 24
  17. ↑ a b Horseless Age, Vol. 43, No. 7, April 1, 1918, p. 27: Stephens Salient Six. (Report)
  18. ^ Moline Plow Company, Stephens Motor Works: Stephens Salient Six (sales advertisement Series 80, Motor Age , November 6, 1919, p. 282; ill .: Coupé 3-4 Pl. With wire-spoke wheels)
  19. ^ Moline Plow Company, Stephens Motor Works: Stephens Salient Six. Salient in Value - Salient in Service. (Sales advertisement Series 70, Literary Digest , December 6, 1919, p. 107; Ill .: Victoria)
  20. ↑ a b c d e f g h Kimes / Clark, Standard Catalog (1996), p. 1396 (Stephens)
  21. ↑ Stephens Motor Cars: Range, Speed, Distinction United in Touring Sedan at $ 1595. (Sales advertisement Six Series 10 + 20, no information on publication; Fig .: Touring (2-Dr) Sedan Series 10)
  22. ↑ Kimes / Clark, Standard Catalog (1996), p. 1117 (Packard Single Six)
  23. ↑ Stephens Motor Cars: Announcing a New Line of Motor Cars at lower Prices. (Sales advertisement Six Series 10 + 20, no information on publication; Fig .: Foursome Series 20)
  24. ↑ imcdb.org: Stephens Salient Six Touring in Truman (1995)