Wiegert
Premium
- 13,377
- United Kingdom
1935-1939 Stout Scarab nominated by @Ken
Body Style: 3-door minivan
Engine: 3.6L Ford flathead V8
Power: 90 hp
Torque: 144 ft-lbs
Weight: ~1500 kg
Transmission: 3-speed manual
Drivetrain: Rear-engine, rear wheel drive
Additional Information:
Body Style: 3-door minivan
Engine: 3.6L Ford flathead V8
Power: 90 hp
Torque: 144 ft-lbs
Weight: ~1500 kg
Transmission: 3-speed manual
Drivetrain: Rear-engine, rear wheel drive
Additional Information:
The Scarab's interior space was maximized by its ponton styling, which dispensed with running-boards and expanded the cabin to the full width of the car; a long wheelbase and engine placement directly over the rear axle — which moved the driver forward, enabling a steering wheel almost directly above the front wheels. Passengers entered through a single, large common door. A flexible seating system could be easily reconfigured, except for the driver's seat, which was fixed. Anticipating the seating in modern minivans, such as the Chrysler Voyager and Renault Espace, there was a small card table which could be fitted with the passenger seats as needed. Interiors were appointed in leather, chrome, and wood. Design elements also worked in a stylized ancient Egyptian "scarab" motif, including the car's emblem. Visibility to the front and sides was similar to that of an observation car, although rearward vision was negligible and there were no rear-view mirrors.
The innovations did not end with the car's layout and body design. In an era where almost everything on the road had rigid axles with leaf springs, the Scarab featured independent suspension using coil springs on all four corners, providing a smoother, quieter ride. The rear-engine-induced weight bias coupled to the coil spring suspension endowed the Scarab with very good handling and traction. The rear swing axle suspension with long coil spring struts was inspired by aircraft landing gear.The Scarab suspension itself inspired the later Chapman strut used by Lotus from their Lotus Twelve model of 1957.
The Ford flathead V8 drove the rear wheels via a custom Stout-built three-speed manual transaxle l. The engine was reversed from its normal position, mounted directly over the rear axle and with the flywheel and clutch facing forwards. The transmission was mounted ahead of this, reversing and lowering the drive-line back to the axle. This unusual layout would later be repeated by the Lamborghini Countach.
The innovations did not end with the car's layout and body design. In an era where almost everything on the road had rigid axles with leaf springs, the Scarab featured independent suspension using coil springs on all four corners, providing a smoother, quieter ride. The rear-engine-induced weight bias coupled to the coil spring suspension endowed the Scarab with very good handling and traction. The rear swing axle suspension with long coil spring struts was inspired by aircraft landing gear.The Scarab suspension itself inspired the later Chapman strut used by Lotus from their Lotus Twelve model of 1957.
The Ford flathead V8 drove the rear wheels via a custom Stout-built three-speed manual transaxle l. The engine was reversed from its normal position, mounted directly over the rear axle and with the flywheel and clutch facing forwards. The transmission was mounted ahead of this, reversing and lowering the drive-line back to the axle. This unusual layout would later be repeated by the Lamborghini Countach.
