4 cylinder Front Wheel Drive in 1907

[Jim Bow]

80E861AC-1040-4C94-8A3B-6E7D6E57FCB0.jpg

[Jim Mahan]

Barney Oldfield.

[Paul Pless]

miller's front wheel drive inline four and straight eight and v eight racecars were decidedly more elegant

[skuthorp]

80E861AC-1040-4C94-8A3B-6E7D6E57FCB0.jpg

I wonder how the steering was………….

[birlinn]

I wonder how the steering was………….

With 19.6 litres, single speed (in one version), and no diff or CV joints, probably...interesting...
As there was a clutch at either end of the crank, I suppose slipping the clutch would be a big help in cornering.

[MushCreek]

Next, you're gonna try telling us that there were electric cars before Tesla....

[birlinn]

Next, you're gonna try telling us that there were electric cars before Tesla....

And holding the land speed record for cars at 62 mph, in 1899...

Jamais_contente.jpg

[Peerie Maa]

With 19.6 litres, single speed (in one version), and no diff or CV joints, probably...interesting...
As there was a clutch at either end of the crank, I suppose slipping the clutch would be a big help in cornering.

No suspension either, but I can see king pins, so there will have been some flexibility in the half shafts, within the hubs.

[birlinn]

I believe there was a bit of sliding pillar front suspension- can't have been much with very short drive shafts.

[Peerie Maa]

I believe there was a bit of sliding pillar front suspension- can't have been much with very short drive shafts.

Just so, apparently Christie did manage it

On each end of the crankshaft was a manganese bronze flywheel. The outer diameter of the flywheel was lined with woven camel hair to provide a friction surface. Covering the flywheel was a chrome steel cone clutch. Shafts and universal joints connected the drive wheels to the clutches and allowed for steering and independent coil spring suspension. Normal gear would lock the flywheel, clutch, and shaft together so that there was no reduction between the engine and drive wheels; for every revolution of the engine, the drive wheels turned one revolution. Normal engine speed was 1,000 to 1,200 rpm. With its 34 in (864 mm) by 4.5 in (114 mm) front tires, the car was capable of 120 mph (193 km/h) at 1,200 rpm. Of course, different size tires could be used to alter the vehicle’s acceleration and top speed. The rear tires were 34 in (864 mm) by 4 in (102 mm).

https://oldmachinepress.com/2014/12/...ne-1907-racer/

[John Meachen]

Not that long ago I was reading about the electric Lohner that Ferdinand Porsche bore some responsibility for.It had a hub mounted motor at each corner and since Rzeppa joints were some way ahead,he had to come up with a way to transmit motion along a beam axle.The rather elegant solution was to extend the kingpin and mount pinions,both above and below the axle,with a crownwheel connected to the wheel.

[Harry Miller]

miller's front wheel drive inline four and straight eight and v eight racecars were decidedly more elegant

I know nothin’ about cars but I’ve got a good name.

[Canoeyawl]

Miller straight eight
1921: 32 valves, dohc, 183 cu. in., 135 hp (reduced to 122 cu in. in 1923, 2 liters)

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edit to add: http://milleroffy.com/Racing%20History.htm

[ahp]

My mother claimed that she learned to drive on a Franklin automobile about 1915. It was was air cooled with a a cross mounted, four cylinder engine and front drive.

[Canoeyawl]

My mother claimed that she learned to drive on a Franklin automobile about 1915. It was was air cooled with a a cross mounted, four cylinder engine and front drive.

How old are you?

[Jfitzger]

1924, 640cc, 5 cylinder German front wheel drive motorcycle, the Megola.

megola.jpeg

Ever since I was kid I've had I've loved the Citroen Traction Avant. In 1934 it pretty much nailed the modern car. Front wheel drive, unibody, 4 cylinder and rack in pinion steering.

citroen.jpg

[GregH]

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Is that Rube Goldberg behind the wheel???

[Canoeyawl]

How old are you?

Edit; My father (b 1925) spoke fondly of Franklins.
I have never seen one on the road! Only in museums/collections

[birlinn]

My mother claimed that she learned to drive on a Franklin automobile about 1915. It was was air cooled with a a cross mounted, four cylinder engine and front drive.

She was right about the air cooling.

[birlinn]

1901 front drive Singer.

singer.jpg

[Garret]

...



Ever since I was kid I've had I've loved the Citroen Traction Avant. In 1934 it pretty much nailed the modern car. Front wheel drive, unibody, 4 cylinder and rack in pinion steering.

It could be yours (no connection, etc.):

https://newyork.craigslist.org/fct/c...591199863.html

[Canoeyawl]

There's a Franklin Museum in Tucson...

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note wooden frame rails/chain drive?

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