2009 Frazer-Nash Namir by Giugiaro Gallery
In 1923 the Arthur Chevrolet Aviation Motors Company released their performance line of Ford which centered around their engine development. Known as the ‘Fronty’-Ford or Frontenc Ford the cars were known for their advanced cylinder head development on the Model T Ford engine.
At the top the range was a DOHC cylinder head that was specifically developed for racing. It had a redline of 5600 rpm which was almost double compared to the Model T. With intake and exhaust, the complete engine was $1,400 USD.
The base Fronty, known as the Model R featured a new intake and cylinder head that offered 3600 rpm and sold for $765 USD. These were intended for road-going clientele that wanted a sporting Model T.
For the racer, the model S-R featured twin Zenith carburetors and an overhead camshaft for a redline of 4000 rpm at a cost of $865 USD.
Equipped with the overhead camshafts, Fronty-Fords contested the Indianapolis 500 and the company later boasted about the reliability of their engines.
Arthur Chevrolet also offered complete turn-key racecars for dirt-track racing. These included a steel body on a shortened Ford frame, an ball-bearing rear axle, spoked wire wheels, updated steering. These cost anywhere from $2000 to $2700 depending on tune.
In Detail
type | Racing Car |
production years | 1923 – 1930 |
built at | USA |
price $ | $ 2,700 |
engine | Inline-4 with Frontenac Cylinder Head |
position | Front, Longitudinal |
aspiration | Natural |
block material | Cast Iron |
valvetrain | DOHC 4-Valves per Cyl |
redline | 5600 |
body / frame | Steel BOdy over Steel Frame |
driven wheels | RWD |
wheel type | Spoked Wires |
front wheels | F 71.1 x 10.2 cm / 28 x 4 in |
rear wheels | R 71.1 x 10.2 cm / 28 x 4 in |
f suspension | Ford Solid Axle |
r suspension | Frontenac Rear Axle |