SF-300 Flow Bench, circa 1980

01

Artifact Overview

Flow benches typically were used to test airflow through cylinder heads. Bobby Unser altered this unit for a different purpose. He used it to test scale models of various undercar "ground effects" used to improve a race car's aerodynamic performance. Other teams had to rely on more expensive full-scale testing of actual cars, or wind tunnel testing of scale models.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Measuring device (Instrument)

Date Made

circa 1980

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2009.171.10

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Bobby and Lisa Unser.

Material

Metal
Plastic
Rubber (Material)
Wood (Plant Material)

Color

Black (Color)
Blue
Gray (Color)
Red
White (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 76 in
Width: 29 in
Length: 27 in

Inscriptions

On back label: SF-300 / Flow Bench / 220-250 VAC / 30 AMPS / 6800 WATTS / SINGLE PHASE / 50-60 CYCLES / PAT. APPLIED FOR / SuperFlow / COLORADO SPRINGS / COLORADO USA On control panel: SuperFlow / COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. Above far left knob: EXHAUSFLOW / CONTROL / INCREASE On center dial: FLOW RANGE / 100 CFM /.../ 400 CFM Above right dial: RANGE LOCK / LIFT TO RELEASE Above far right dial: INTAKE FLOW / CONTROL / INCREASE