Silver certificate history

Byline: Compiled by Al Binder and the Ward's staff.

94 YEARS AGO

One of the most historic feats in the fledgling automotive industry began on Feb. 29, 1908, when Cadillac's famed "standardization test" commenced at the newly opened Brooklands race circuit in Surrey, England. The test is undertaken by the Royal Automobile Club at the urging of Cadillac's U.K. distributor, Frederick S. Bennett, who is anxious to dispel the popular myth that the Americans have perfected interchangeable parts (virtually unknown in England).

Although the RAC opens the competition to all makes, only Cadillac, under Bennett's auspices, is entered. On. Feb. 29, a team of RAC officials selects three similar Cadillac 2-passenger runabouts from Bennett's London inventory. They are driven to Brooklands where, after being track tested to ascertain an average top speed of 34 mph (55 km/h), mechanics take them apart down to the last nut and bolt using only wrenches, screwdrivers, hammer and pliers.

Officials impound 89 parts and have them replaced with items from the importer's replacement parts stock. All parts are then "mixed" and redistributed into three separate areas of the garage, enough for one car in each location.

Using the same tools, the mechanics commence the reassembly on Mar. 5, completing the first car the following day. It starts on the first turn of its crank. The last one is finished five days later, and on March 11 all three are run for 500 miles at full throttle and achieve the same speed as before the test.

On April 21, 1908, the RAC presents its official certificate confirming the results. Eight months later, Cadillac is presented with the coveted Dewar trophy for its use of interchangeable parts. The large engraved silver cup had been awarded annually since 1904 to the company demonstrating "the most important advancement" in the automotive field.

Bennett, however, is not satisfied. While two of the test cars are returned to inventory, the third is entered in a grueling 2,000-mile (3,219 km) endurance test in which the Cadillac came in first in its class and passes a final inspection to look for excessive wear.

44 YEARS AGO

On Feb. 13, 1958, the wraps come off the American auto industry's first "personal luxury" car, the 4-passenger Thunderbird. In developing the new model under the direction of Ford Div. General Manager, Robert S. McNamara, the company dramatically broadens the appeal of what had been a well-liked, but limited-volume 2-passenger sporty car sold mostly to upper income households as a second or third car.

Later dubbed the "square bird" because of its angular styling, the '58 model features coil-spring suspension and a 300 hp (gross) 5.8L V-8 as standard. It is some 30 ins. (762 mm) longer than the 2-passenger car. But utilizing unit-body construction in place of the separate body-on-frame construction, it can accommodate four passengers and maintain a low overall height.

The car, along with the re-engineered Lincoln and Continental, are assembled at Ford Motor Co.'s new Wixom, MI, plant, which was designed specifically for unit-body car assembly. Although many 2-seat T'bird owners protest the change, sales of the '58 model hit 38,000, nearly matching the combined 3-year volume of the '55-'57 model 2-seater, confirming McNamara's decision in favor of the larger model. Rumors abound that enthusiast groups try to acquire the dies to the '57 model and Budd Co., supplier of the body panels for the 2-passenger car, is said to have developed an updated proposal to no avail.

OTHER DATES IN HISTORY

Feb. 27, 1934 - Industry critic Ralph Nader is born in Winsted, CT.

Feb. 6, 1954 - Daimler-Benz AG unveils the 300 SL gull wing coupe, a production version of its winning racer.

Feb. 10, 1989 - Ford Motor Co. earns $5.3 billion in 1988, a world record.