Twinsix.net

Car : Oakland 6-54
Year : 1924
Engine : 6 cylinders in line
Bore and stroke :71.4×120.7 mm
Cylinder capacity : 2898 cc
Gears : 3 forward
Brake horse power : 54
Maximum speed : 58 mph
Wheelbase : 9 ft 4 ins ( 2.84 m)
Suspension : front and back :semi-elliptic leaf- springs
Oakland was founded in 1907 by Edward M. Murphy, and it started production with certain important technical innovations, such as a counter-balanced crankshaft and coil suspension. Commercially it was a failure, but a after producing a moderately successful twin-cylinder car in 1908, the company gained the public’s attention and respect with a 4-cylinder car developing 40 bhp. William Durant, who was working out his plans for creating the biggest motor car manufacturing group in the world, was impressed by Oakland’s progress, and in 1909 invited Murphy to join him.
The 6-54 (the first figure indicating the number of cylinders, the second the engine brake horse power) was one of Oakland’s most successful models. After joining General Motors the company advanced both in terms of quantity and quality. The 6-54 was an exception in American at the time in having brakes (detachable disc) on all four wheels and pressure lubrication. Another characteristic, introduced when the 6-54 came on to the market, was the special scratch resistant paint on the bodywork.