{"id":85094,"date":"2021-11-24T11:32:50","date_gmt":"2021-11-24T11:32:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.secret-classics.com\/?p=85094"},"modified":"2021-12-02T09:09:29","modified_gmt":"2021-12-02T09:09:29","slug":"playboy-a48-convertible","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.secret-classics.com\/en\/playboy-a48-convertible\/","title":{"rendered":"Playboy A48 Convertible"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Although supposedly no one reads this magazine, Playboy is very well known in many parts of the world. The fact that there was also a car brand under the same name after the Second World War, on the other hand, is much less well known. It was founded by Packard dealer Lou Horwitz and his friends Norm Richardson (a mechanic) and Charlie Thomas (previously an engineer at Pontiac). However, this company had nothing to do with the glossy magazine expect for the similarity in name. In fact, the magazine started two years after the car factory was closed. The manufacturing plant was set up in Buffalo in the U.S. state of New York. For the post-war period, Lou Horwitz saw a great need for small and inexpensive vehicles below the Packard model fleet from his car dealership. Together with his business partners, he therefore planned to build the A48 from outsourced parts bought from other companies. He also envisaged a selling price of US$ 900.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Layout change between prototype and series<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first prototype, a black-painted convertible, used a soft top. Its engine was installed in the rear. This configuration changed for series production. The four-cylinder engine with side-mounted valves, initially purchased from Hercules and later from Continental, was now located under the front hood. It produced 30 kW\/41 hp, which was transmitted to the rear wheels via a manual three-speed gearbox with overdrive. The data sheet showed acceleration from a standstill to 30 mph in six seconds and to 50 mph in 17 seconds. Top speeds of up to 75 mph were advertised. At the same time, the low average fuel consumption of 42 mpg (imperial, 35 mpg US) was intended to attract potential buyers who placed value on economy.<\/p>\n\n\n

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