34-660: The XR-400 was a fully operational concept car . A "sporty" youth-oriented convertible was built in 1962 by the Budd Company , an independent body builder in Detroit , Michigan , for evaluation by the fourth largest U.S. automaker at the time, American Motors Corporation (AMC). The XR-400 was developed and constructed by the Automotive Division of the Budd Company. The "X" stood for experimental and
68-589: A comprehensive compilation of technical papers, previously called SAE Transactions, which still exist today in the form of SAE International's Journals. By 1916 SAE had 1,800 members. At the annual meeting that year, representatives from the American Society of Aeronautic Engineers, the Society of Tractor Engineers, as well as representatives from the power boating industry made a pitch to SAE for oversight of technical standards in their industries. Aeronautics
102-410: A family relationship to the contemporary styling of Rambler's large-sized cars. The proposed model was a true 2+2 (two front bucket seats plus limited-use seats for two back passengers) sleek, steel-blue convertible with a long hood and a short, stubby rear deck. The XR-400's long 108-inch (2,743 mm) Ambassador wheelbase and truncated overhangs gave it athletic proportions. At the same time,
136-430: A forum for companies, government agencies, research institutions and consultants to devise technical standards and recommended practices for the design, construction, and characteristics of motor vehicle components. SAE documents do not carry any legal force, but are in some cases referenced by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Transport Canada . SAE publishes technical documents for
170-410: A solution from the cooperation of the technical men connected with the industry. These questions could best be dealt with by a technical society. The field of activity for this society would be the purely technical side of automobiles." Horace Swetland wrote on automotive engineering concerns and became an original SAE officer. About two years after Heldt's editorial, the Society of Automobile Engineers
204-415: A three-spoke wood-rimmed Nardi (brand) steering wheel. Budd's sales pitch to AMC included pioneering a market "presently untapped by any other manufacturer" with a car that "unlike anything else on the road, it would attract widespread attention, provide your dealers with both a new profit area and morale-builder, and offer unusual advertising and sales promotion opportunities." The experimental convertible
238-422: A working drivetrain and accessories. The state of most concept cars lies somewhere in between and does not represent the final product. A very small proportion of concept cars are functional to any useful extent, and some cannot move safely at speeds above 10 miles per hour (16 km/h). Inoperative " mock-ups " are usually made of wax, clay, metal, fiberglass, plastic, or a combination thereof. If drivable,
272-994: Is generally credited with inventing the concept car, and did much to popularize it through its traveling Motorama shows of the 1950s. Concept cars never go into production directly. In modern times, all would have to undergo many changes before the design is finalized for the sake of practicality, safety , regulatory compliance , and cost. A "production-intent" prototype , as opposed to a concept vehicle, serves this purpose. Concept cars are often radical in engine or design . Some use non-traditional, exotic, or expensive materials, ranging from paper to carbon fiber to refined alloys . Others have unique layouts , such as gullwing doors , three or five (or more) wheels , or special abilities not usually found on cars. Because of these often impractical or unprofitable leanings, many concept cars never get past scale models or even drawings in computer design . Other more traditional concepts can be developed into fully drivable (operational) vehicles with
306-641: Is granted to individuals, rather than companies. Aside from its standardization efforts, SAE International also devotes resources to projects and programs in STEM education, professional certification , and collegiate design competitions. In the early 1900s there were dozens of automobile manufacturers in the United States, and many more worldwide. Auto manufacturers and parts companies joined trade groups that promoted business. A desire to solve common technical design problems and develop engineering standards
340-398: Is now at the museum and also displayed at major classic car shows. Concept car A concept car (also known as a concept vehicle or show vehicle ) is a car made to showcase new styling or new technology. Concept cars are often exhibited at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not be produced . General Motors designer Harley Earl
374-711: The NHTSA . For historical legacy reasons, the label "SAE" is commonly used on tools and hardware in North America to indicate United States customary units measurements, that is, inch -based not metric (SI) . Both this usage and casual use of the term " Imperial " are loose and imprecise (but common) references to inch fractional sizes and to the screw thread sizes of the Unified Thread Standard (UTS). SAE has long provided standards for rating automobile horsepower . Until 1971–1972 SAE gross power
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#1732800970809408-571: The Society of Automotive Engineers , the organization adopted its current name in 2006 to reflect both its international membership and the increased scope of its activities beyond automotive engineering and the automotive industry to include aerospace and other transport industries, as well as commercial vehicles including autonomous vehicles such as self-driving cars , trucks , surface vessels , drones , and related technologies. SAE International has over 138,000 global members. Membership
442-404: The "R" stood for Rambler. The trunk lid featured Rambler lettering as the intended customer of the car. The objective of this car was to entice AMC to expand into a new market segment with a low-cost Rambler-based "sports convertible." The Budd Company was a long-time supplier of tooling, parts, and bodies to automakers . Budd also worked with Nash Motors , AMC's predecessor company, to develop
476-525: The 1941 Nash 600 , the first unibody (unitized) automobile body in the United States in 1940, the predecessor of the modern mass-produced car. Examples of Budd's experiments include the first all-plastic-bodied automobile developed for Studebaker in 1954. This prototype logged thousands of test miles on public roads. Its contracts included the manufacture of Thunderbird bodies for Ford starting in 1955 through 1957. In 1962, Budd proposed to replicate
510-556: The DRM restrictions for colleges, universities, and other academic institutions. In 1986, SAE International established the SAE Foundation to support science and technology education. One of the most pressing issues facing industry today is the decline of students enrolling in science and technology programs. This decline and its impact threaten the ability to meet future workforce demands. The SAE Foundation encourages and supports
544-479: The Society of Automotive Engineers. Women joined the SAE in the 1920's, with Marie Luhring becoming an associate member of the organization in 1920. Ethel H. Bailey became the first woman to become a full member of the SAE in 1926, having joined the staff as a research engineer in 1920. Charles Kettering presided over SAE during World War I and saw membership pass the 5,000 mark. During this time, SAE emphasized
578-576: The aerospace industry. Aerospace Recommended Practices are recommendations for engineering practice, and Aerospace Information Reports contain general accepted engineering data and information. SAE has proposed an influential categorization for "levels of driving automation" in vehicular automation. SAE J3016 defines six levels of automation for cars, ranging from level 0 (No Driving Automation) to level 5 (Full Automation), transitioning gradually from "driver support features" to "automated driving features". This categorization scheme has also been adopted by
612-696: The development of skills related to mathematics, technology, engineering and science. A World In Motion is a teacher-administered, industry volunteer-assisted program that brings science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education to life in the classroom for students in Kindergarten through Grade 12. Benchmarked to the national standards, AWIM incorporates the laws of physics, motion, flight and electronics into age-appropriate hands on activities that reinforce classroom STEM curriculum. The SAE Collegiate Design Series provides an opportunity for college students to go beyond textbook theory and replicates
646-465: The drivetrain is often borrowed from a production vehicle from the same company or may have defects and imperfections in design. They can also be quite refined, such as General Motors ' Cadillac Sixteen concept. SAE International SAE International is a global professional association and standards organization based in Warrendale , Pennsylvania , United States . Formerly
680-437: The idea. There were several reasons for this decision, including: The Budd Company kept the only prototype model, but later renamed it "XR-Budd" and used it for marketing purposes. The Rambler lettering on the rear of the trunk lid was removed, while the stamped steel wheels with full wheel covers were upgraded to chrome-plated reverse wheels with exposed lug nuts . Budd sold the prototype to The Henry Ford Museum in 1997. It
714-410: The importance of developing member activity through local chapters – called Sections . After World War II , the Society established links with other standards bodies and automotive engineering societies worldwide, and since then has founded sections in countries including Brazil, India, China, Russia, Romania, and Egypt. By 1980, membership surpassed 35,000 and over the next two decades the society, like
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#1732800970809748-415: The industries and individuals it serves, became larger, more global, more diverse, and more electronic. By the mid-1980s, membership edged close to 50,000; by the end of the 1990s, membership topped 80,000 with members in more than 80 countries. As of 2017, the society serves over 138,000 global members, with more than a quarter from outside of North America. SAE Council: SAE International provides
782-488: The monthly Update newsletter for its members and publishes more than 100 books a year in print and electronic formats. Ranging from compilations on various technical subjects, to textbooks, to historical and enthusiast-oriented books, SAE's titles cater to a variety of readers. In April 2007, MIT canceled its subscription to SAE because of required digital rights management (DRM) technology implemented on SAE web-based database of technical papers. SAE International removed
816-523: The new model could be available for public sale by October 1963, six months ahead of the Ford Mustang . The XR-400 was built on a two-door 1962 Ambassador chassis. To keep costs down, Budd engineers kept the front of the unit body with the suspension in its existing position. However, the engine's position was lowered by two inches (51 mm) with new rear mounts. The radiator was moved down 3.5 inches (89 mm). The fan blades were shortened, as
850-427: The original two-seat Thunderbird design on a Ford Falcon platform, but Ford rejected the idea. Budd's XT-Bird idea was then redeveloped using an AMC platform and shown to AMC. Budd's already existing business with AMC would increase by having AMC proceed with developing its concept vehicle. Budd wanted to supply bodies and major sub-assemblies to the automaker for a production version of this new car. Budd estimated that
884-503: The process of engineering design and manufacturing. In the CDS program, a company wants to sell a product for a specific market segment, for example a radio controlled airplane, a single seat off-road vehicle, or a single seat Formula style race car. Instead of doing all the design, manufacturing and testing in house, the customer chooses to contract out those processes to a supplier, and sends their requirements out for bid. Student teams act as
918-549: The top-up appearance suggested a close-coupled two-seater sports car . Classic sports car touches included a hood line that slopped lower than the front fenders, doors that had a dip in their top, and simulated air extractors behind the front wheels. Power for the XR-400 was supplied by a standard Ambassador two-barrel 250 hp (186 kW; 253 PS) 327 cu in (5.4 L) AMC V8 engine . The engine bay could accommodate any of AMC's I6 or V8 engines. The transmission
952-528: Was a fledgling industry at that time. Early supporters of the concept of a society to represent aeronautical engineers were Thomas Edison , Glenn Curtiss , Glenn Martin , and Orville Wright . Out of the meeting in 1916 came a new organization, to represent engineers in all types of mobility-related professions. SAE member Elmer Sperry created the term "automotive" from Greek autos (self), and Latin motivus (of motion) origins to represent any form of self-powered vehicle. The Society of Automobile Engineers became
986-483: Was an automatic (not typical of sports cars for that time) controlled through a floor console -mounted shift lever. Braking was provided by an experimental front disc brake system. The interior used AMC's front seats and many other hardware items. In classic sports car fashion, the driver had all controls and a complete set of instruments ( speedometer , tachometer , as well as gauges for fuel, water temperature, amperes, and oil pressure) that mounted directly ahead of
1020-558: Was emerging. Engineers in the automobile business expressed a desire to have "free exchange of ideas" to expand their technical knowledge base. Two magazine publishers, Peter Heldt of The Horseless Age , and Horace Swetland of The Automobile , were advocates of the concepts for SAE. Heldt wrote an editorial in June 1902 in which he said, "Now there is a noticeable tendency for automobile manufacturers to follow certain accepted lines of construction, technical questions constantly arise which seek
1054-462: Was founded in New York City. Four officers and five managing officers volunteered. In 1905 Andrew L. Riker served as president, and Henry Ford served as the society's first vice president. The initial membership was engineers with annual dues of US$ 10. Over the first 10 years, SAE membership grew steadily, and the society added full-time staff and began to publish a technical journal and
Budd XR-400 - Misplaced Pages Continue
1088-487: Was publicly exhibited at the 1964 meeting of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). The press release stated that the concept shows how modifying Rambler Ambassadors results in: Automotive press reports stated that such a new model could have appeared in AMC dealer showrooms, thus establishing a market segment at least six months before Ford's similar Mustang started the " pony car " market. Unfortunately, AMC turned down
1122-405: Was the oil-filler neck. The air cleaner was relocated, the exhaust system was reshaped, and the gas tank was new. The XR-400's long nose was achieved by extending the front section and adding a cowl behind it that held the battery. The car was styled by Budd with a relatively clean and uncluttered body, giving little indication of its Rambler sedan origin. A double crease in the beltline suggested
1156-656: Was used. Similar to brake horsepower (bhp), it gave generously unrealistic performance ratings. Since then, the standard has been the more conservative SAE net power , which takes into account engine accessory, emissions, and exhaust drags, but not transmission losses. SAE International has been publishing technical information since 1906. Industry magazines published monthly include: Automotive Engineering International , Aerospace Engineering and Manufacturing , Off Highway Engineering , Truck & Bus Engineering , SAE Vehicle Engineering , e-newsletters, Momentum magazine for student members, and various journals. SAE also produces
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