Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[V8 Nutter]

[Salopian]

Yes there are several badly presented points - as with the light bulb when technology has reached a point where a new development is possible more than one inventor will produce it roughly at the same time. Generally American cars were poorly braked until discs were fitted - somewhat later than in Europe - and this even applied in the vintage period with awful external contracting devices fitted up to the late 20's.
Different times different road conditions and I suspect less discerning customers largely driven by low first cost.
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Jonathan Butler
Alvis SD 12/50 1928 MG TD 1950

[V8 Nutter]

Some of the glaring errors on that site.
Disc front brakes were available on many American cars in the sixties, my 1970 Caddy has them.

The first American car was probably the Lambert in 1891. Duryea was the first series production American car two Duryeas were the first American cars imported into the U.K.

I always thought Daimler or Lanchester had the first fluid flywheel in the twenties. About 10 years before Chrysler.

[clan chieftain]

I also thought that Lanchester had the first fluid flywheel.
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The Clan Chieftain

[Keith D]

Salopian,

I would cross swords with you on your comments regarding poor brakes on American cars in the twenties.

The brakes on my 1926 Chrysler are the "awful external contacting devices" and yet she can stop far quicker than my 1928 Morris Cowley - even in the wet!

I also have a 1932 Austin Seven and one doesn't even use the word "brakes" with these cars, as much as I love them!

Late twenties Ford A and 1929 onwards Chevies had decent brakes, although neither were hydraulic.

Keith