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This year in response to public demand there will be two Cowleys an entirely new "Four" as well as a redesigned and greatly improved version of the familiar " Four." Both these cars are modern as the minute, a pleasant surprise with their suave and handsome lines. Performance is new, too the older Cowley qualities of reliability and easy driving have been added an astonishing verve and road zest.
The side valve engine of the four cylinder Cowley with two unit electrical system is entirely new. The chassis frame has the new Morris construction with X - bracing, forming a frame within a frame. The car is now lower built than before a more business like line; still better road-holding.
The new four cylinder Cowley rated at 11.9 h.p. is a larger, more roomy car. Even for a four cylinder engine the acceleration is surprising, and it has a very ready flexibility. In getting a Cowley you get a proved.car. They've been proved to the limit, these 1934 Cowleys. in the factory and on the road they've come successfully through tests that would have destroyed anything less workmanlike. It can be claimed with confidence that both models give you performance and endurance of a kind not previously realised in cars of this moderate price category.
General The design consists of a four cylindered water cooled engine with single plate clutch and four speed synchromesh gearbox built in unit construction. This power unit is carried by a resilient equipoise mounting in a sturdy downswept frame with generous stiffener of " X " formation, giving a particularly low centre of gravity. The frame is supported front and rear on long semi-elliptic springs. The track is 4ft. 0 in. (1.32 m.) and the wheelbase 8 ft. 6 in. (2.69 m).
Engine The four cylinder engine has a bore of 69.5 mm. (2.73in.), a stroke of 102 mm. (4.01in.) and a cubic capacity of 1550cc (94.59 cu.in.). Treasury rating 11.9 h.p., tax £15. The cylinders are cast in one with the upper portion of the crankcase which is extended well below the crankshaft centre and liberally reinforced with internal webs, producing a deep girder structure of unusual strength. A four bearing crankshaft, with the maximum possible bearing areas, is fitted, and all crankshafts are balanced to extremely fine limits. The main and big end bearings are of the full ring shimless type and white metal lined. The connecting rods are of steel and individually balanced to a high degree of accuracy. The aluminium pistons possess four rings and are closely matched for weight. The complete assemblies of pistons and connecting rods are in addition equalised in weight to within .2 ox. (best aero engine practice).
The side by side valves are operated by adjustable tappets mounted in two detachable guide units which can be removed without disturbing any other components. The tappets are actuated by a large diameter three bearing camshaft, driven by a duplex roller chain from the crankshaft, which also drives the dynamo and water pump. The induction pipe and exhaust manifold are an integral casting with adequate hot spots to ensure good carburation. An important feature of the induction system is the combined air cleaner and preheater which also consumes all engine fumes from the crankcase breathers and prevents any undesirable gases entering the car.
Synchromesh Gearbox The gearbox is provided with synchromesh mechanism with interceptor for top and third gears, which are, in addition, of the constant mesh silent type. Gear selection is by centrally disposed lever. The gearbox is provided with an accessible filling orifice and a dipstick level indicator.
Lubrication A spur gear pump submerged in the oil sump and driven from the camshaft by helical gearing supplies the oil for the full forced feed oiling circuit. The oil is thoroughly filtered before circulation by a large tray type gauze filter covering the whole area of the sump. The oil is pressure fed to the main and big end bearings and to the camshaft bearings. A pressure oil feed is also provided to the clutch. Chassis lubrication is by Enots high pressure oilgun and accessible nipples.
Cooling System A centrifugal water pump is mounted in tandem with the dynamo. The water circulates to the cylinder head where it passes through three well positioned ports into the outlet pipe. The cooling water is constantly maintained at the most effective temperature by autornatically operated radiator shutters. A generous belt driven fan also assists the radiator.
Electrical Equipment The distributor for the coil and battery ignition is driven by helical gears from the rear end of the dynamo and possesses automatic advance and retard. The dynamo may be removed without disturbing the driving chain. The starter motor is of the sliding pinion type. Full five lamp equipment is provided, including headlamps with dip and switch mechanism, sidelamps and tail lamp with stop light. All switches are accessibly mounted on the instrument panel, with the exception of the headlight dipping switch and horn button, which are conveniently mounted in the centre of the steering wheel, and the battery master switch which is close to the driver's seat. Traffic indicators of the concealed type are fitted.
Carburation An S.U. automatic piston type carburetter, with controls for mixture strength and slow running operated from the facia board, supplies the working mixture.
Transmission The single plate clutch has cork inserts in the driven plate and is automatically fed with oil from the engine. A balanced tubular Spicer propeller shaft with Spicer universal joints at each end transmits the drive to the silent spiral bevel final reduction gears and differential. The axle shafts are of the three quarter floating type.
The Four Wheel Brakes The foot brake operates internally expanding shoes on all four wheels by the lockheed hydraulic system, which ensures complete compensation and certain braking under all conditions. There are no bearings to wear or need lubrication. The hand brake operates on the rear wheels by independent mechanism.
Petrol Tank The petrol tank is mounted at the rear of the chassis and has a capacity of 10 gallons (45 litres). Its contents are indicated to the driver by an electrically operated dial gauge on the instrument panel. The petrol is fed to the carburetter by an S.U. automatic electric petrol pump.
Steering The steering gear is of the Bishop cam type and combines exceptional lightness of steering with accuracy of control. The steering is particularly free from the transmission of road shocks to the steering wheel. Suspension. Long semi-elliptic springs fore and aft, effectively controlled by Armstrong hydraulic shock absorbers, provide particularly comfortable suspension.
Tool Kit A kit of tools is supplied with every car and conveniently housed in a toolbox in the steel dash under the bonnet.
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