Re: [Amc-list] Pacer -- Curtis-Wright Rotary???

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>]

Nolan, Curtis-Wright (the aircraft company -- at the time) had the license for North American production of the Wankel rotary engine. They also had licensing rights. Anyone in NA had to license through C-W, even GM. AMC had a license to produce the engines from C-W, and had done some development work in partnership with Renault in the mid 60s on a version that used valves instead of piston ports. I believe AMC wanted to see how the rotary was received before investing the huge sum required to build them. That's likely why they waited so long to develop a four cylinder piston engine -- no need for one if they were building rotaries. The investment is so large because no machinery can be shared with/converted from piston engine manufacturing. GM was willing to sell AMC engines to quickly get their production numbers up, lowering their own cost per engine. Otherwise they'd have never agreed to such a deal. 

That's not the first time an engine sharing deal was in effect -- South African Ramblers (and I think some Toyotas) used GM straight sixes for a few years due to laws requiring a large percentage of in-country production. It was cost prohibitive for GM to run an engine plant based on what they could sell, but by supplying others the engine plant was cost effective. I believe (but can't verify) that the same thing happened with Studebaker in Canada. GM was willing to supply Stude with engines to continue Canadian production and help their engine plant numbers along until the 1966 "AutoPact" between Canada and the US, eliminating the need to produce engines in Canada (eliminated auto and parts tariffs). Maybe it's coincidence that 66 was the last year for Stude, or it was sales, but I wouldn't be surprised if GM either raised the price for engines or said "we don't need you anymore". 


--------------
Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2007 13:53:30 EDT
From: Nolanatcamelot@xxxxxxx
 
In a message dated 9/19/2007 9:24:55 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,  
amc-list-request@xxxxxxxxxxxx writes:

It is  generally accepted that the Pacer was originally designed to be a
front  wheel drive automobile using the Curtis Wright Rotary engine and  a


Confused am I ? Yes ! Curtis Wright Rotary engine  ?? I thought the only 
rotary being considered was the Wankel.  In fact  I've never heard of a Curtis 
Wright Rotary engine, but then I've been sheltered  all my life.  Please clarify. 
 

-- 
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Motors Cars" 
Magazine (AMC)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://farna.home.att.net/AMC.html
(free download available!)


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