Some thirty years ago, understanding the nuances of front-wheel-drive was like listening to a foreign language.
“If you’re one of those folks who think split boots are some kind of old overshoes, constant velocity joints are some kind of illegal drug or the Rzeppa is a rock video, you’re out of touch with today’s technology,” wrote Larry Carley, ImportCar Technical Editor in 1988.
“Front-wheel-drive has been with us quite some time so it’s important that you speak the language when dealing with your clientele,” we explained.
Our helpful glossary in the March 1988 issue of ImportCar explained some of the key phrases that technicians should know to speak the language like a native.
At the time, about one-third of the cars on the road were front-wheel-drive and the expectation was that over two-thirds would use the technology in just three years. Today, of course front-wheel- and all-wheel-drive are found in most vehicles – rear wheel drive is typically found only in high-performance vehicles and two-wheel drive pickups.
As our man stated, the technology wasn’t really anything new – one of the earliest examples of FWD was seen in the Victoria Combination from France beginning in 1888. The concept was popular in early race car development and small, niche market manufacturers, but until the mid- to late 1940s, it was not exploited in traditional passenger vehicles.
