10 BULLETIN 198, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



and the spring of 1894. On July 4, 1894, a successful trial trip was 

 made at a speed of about 7 miles an hour. 



The machine now is not as originally constructed, for certain 

 changes were made about two years after the initial trial run. These 

 included the replacement of the 1-horsepower, 2-cycle, Sintz gasoline 

 engine by a 2-horsepower engine; the replacement of the 28-incli 

 cushion-tire wheels with wire-spoked wheels mounting single-tube 

 pneumatic tires 36 inches in outside diameter; and the substitution 

 of a tiller-operated, fixed-axle steering mechanism for the original 

 worm-and-gear-driven, swinging front axle of carriage design. The 

 original axle, fixed so as not to swing, was retained for this purpose. 



The vertical, 1-cylinder, water-cooled engine, with make-and-break 

 ignition, delivered its power by chains to a jackshaft forward of the 

 motor and parallel to the rear axle. A small sprocket at each end of 

 this jackshaft is connected by a chain to a larger sprocket on each rear 

 wheel. A spring-loaded, friction type of differential is provided at 

 the left end of the jackshaft. Friction clutches on the jackshaft are 

 operated by a vertical T-rod within reach of the driver and furnish a 

 choice of two forward speeds. Operation of the clutches is by means 

 of a chain, which is actuated by a sprocket on the lower end of the 

 T-rod. A third forward speed of very low ratio is provided by a 

 clutch-and-sprocket device on the right end of the rear axle. This 

 appears to have been abandoned, as no means of operating it remains. 

 No reverse is provided on the car. The engine was cranked through 

 the spokes of the right rear wheel. A hand lever operates a friction 

 band on the end of the jackshaft, for braking. 



The foot-operated accelerator is mounted on the floorboard. A 

 water tank beneath the seat is connected to the engine by two rubber 

 hoses. The gasoline tank is beneath the floor, below the level of the 

 carburetor. Fuel was pumped to the carburetor by a mechanical 

 pump operated by the ignition linkage. 



The chassis consists of a rectangular tubular frame upon which the 

 body rests on long semielliptic springs. The total weight of the 

 vehicle is about 1,000 pounds. 



BALZER GASOLINE AUTOMOBILE, 1894 



U. S. N. M. No. 181658 ; original ; gift of Stephen M. Balzer in 1899 ; photograph 

 No. 23695 ; plate 4, ft. 



This unique vehicle was designed and built by Stephen M. Balzer in 

 New York City in 1894. Less than 6 feet in length and 3 feet in width, 

 it is supported on four small, wire-spoked wheels equipped with single- 

 tube pneumatic tires. The rear wheels are 26 inches in diameter, and 

 the front wheels, mounted in forks of the bicycle type, are 17 inches 

 in diameter. The forks are connected by a tie rod and are steered by 

 a tiller. 



