Here’s a little retro-tech from Ford’s Mercury division as we look at the major leap automotive development that came along with this little number that the rest of the world calls a clutch fan.
We suppose it was a bit of a breakthrough in 1956/57 when the majority of the fans were hard mounted to the water pump pulley and turned the same speed as the engine no matter what the need for airflow was. We’re not sure if Mercury was the first brand to use this budding new technology, but they sure sold this release like they were.
As stated, the clutch fan saves fuel and most importantly saves lost horsepower as the illustration shows at the top of the page.
Today’s press releases are all about navigation, heated cup holders, and cars that actually apply the brakes for you. It’s nice to see something that an everyday Joe could appreciate as an advancement to his mechanical driving pleasure.
