4 wheel drive Ferguson auto

John-30 · Feb 5, 2013

Was reading an article/interview with Sterling Moss in Hemmings Sports and Exotic Car magazine. At the end he said if he could have 3 cars in his garage, one would be the four-wheel-drive Ferguson! Pretty good endorsement for Harry.

Bob (Aust) · Feb 6, 2013

Ah, yes, the Ferguson constant four wheel drive system, the best known example of which was installed in the first Range Rover in the late 1960s.

Ferguson-Climax P99 4 wheel drive Rob Walker Racing 1961

Bob (Aust) · Feb 6, 2013

And don't forget Harry's successful home made aircraft:

trac · Feb 6, 2013

I heard that some of his 4 wheel drive components or system are still in use today talk about genius!

Tom H. · Feb 6, 2013

The first Irishman to fly.

Bob (Aust) · Feb 6, 2013

I heard that some of his 4 wheel drive components or system are still in use today talk about genius!

Most modern 4WD vehicles use the Ferguson constant four wheel drive system which in it's simplest form is effectively three differentials. My 2012 Toyota Landruiser Prado uses the Ferguson drive system with a fluid coupling replacing the center diff.

Here is a link to the [b:079ae5563e]Ferguson P99 racing car and the Ferguson R5 family sedan[/b:079ae5563e]:

Harry Ferguson made the first flight in Ireland and was the first Briton to build and fly his own aeroplane. The amazing part was that whilst he had seen an aircraft and taken basic measurements, he designed and built the aircraft himself.

Whilst there is unconfirmed reports that a Frenchman was first to fly a heavier than air powered aircraft, the first recorded flight was by Richard Pearce on on 31 March 1903, then Wilbur Wright on 14 December 1903, so when Harry Ferguson took to the air on 31 Decmber 1909 the science of flight was certainly in it's infancy!

Tom Bowman · Feb 6, 2013

John, please help enlighten those of us who aren"t familiar with the four-wheel-drive Ferguson: did it start out as a particular model, then go into use on a variety of vehicles, as mentioned by the other folks who posted?

And, if there was an "original", how about a photo?

John-30 · Feb 6, 2013

Tom, it sounds as though Bob (Aust) knows more about Harry's history than I do. To add to what he has posted, I have read that there were a few, maybe 5 early Mustang autos that were converted to his 4 wheel drive and offered to Ford to be an option but the proposal never went anywhere. It is also my understanding that the AMC Eagle all wheel drive is the Ferguson drive also. Maybe John UK has some more info.

samn40 · Feb 6, 2013

Here are some of Ferguson's 4 wheel drive vehicles, all designed by the company he started after he resigned from Massey Ferguson. This company was called Harry Ferguson Research and the 4 wheel viscous coupling was called the Ferguson Formula (FF). He also designed another very basic tractor for the Nuffield tractor company at this time. It was slightly smaller than the Ferguson 20 but similar in design and profile. This March our bus tour of Ferguson tractor collections in England will be able to view it in the Coldridge collection, along with some other prototypes. We will bring you some pictures!
Sam

Duner Wi · Feb 6, 2013

This car probably deserves mention.
#40 Andy Granatelli turbine car piloted by Parnelli Jones at 1967 Indy 500.

http://www.autopuzzles.com/Indy1967.htm

4 wheel drive Ferguson auto

John-30

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trac

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