CATALOG OF THE AUTOMOBILE COLLECTION 43 



and the oil pan can be easily removed for inspection. The fuel mix- 

 ture was supplied by an automatic carburetor, which could be adjusted 

 for richness from the dashboard, and the speed was controlled by a 

 centrifugal governor acting on a throttle valve. Both battery and 

 magneto ignition are fitted to the engine, each system using a separate 

 set of spark plugs. The cylinders were cooled by water in water 

 jackets into which the water was forced by a rotary pump. The water, 

 in turn, was cooled in a radiator placed in front of the engine. A 

 belt-driven fan is mounted behind the radiator. 



The flywheel forms one member of a cone clutch so arranged that 

 there is no external thrust ; the other member of the clutch is connected 

 with the gear box by a shaft with universal joints. The gear box has 

 a gate change with four forward speeds and a reverse, direct drive 

 being obtained on third speed. Power was transmitted to the rear 

 axle by a shaft having universal joints at its ends, this shaft driving 

 the two halves of the axle through bevel gears and a differential unit 

 contained in a central housing. The axle housing is trussed and tied 

 to the frame by radius rods. The axles run in ball bearings, and each 

 driving wheel is fitted with a brake drum and an expanding brake band 

 operated by a hand lever. There is also a pedal-operated brake acting 

 on a drum fitted on the drive shaft behind the gear box. The front 

 axle is a forging of "I" section having pivoted ends fitted with ball- 

 thrust bearings. 



The frame is of pressed steel, of channel section and of varying 

 depth ; it is supported on four semielliptic springs, those at the back 

 having their rear ends carried by the ends of a transverse spring fitted 

 to a central bracket at the rear of the frame. The wheels are of the 

 artillery type and are fitted with grooved pneumatic tires ; the front 

 ones are 875 by 105 mm., and the rear are 880 by 120 mm. The wheel 

 base is 135 inches and the tread 56 inches. The car is fitted with a 

 "Roi des Beiges," 4-seater, open, touring body with adjustable wind- 

 shield. The gas tank is carried beneath the driver's seat, and the bat- 

 teries and the acetylene generator for the lamps are carried on the 

 right running board, where two spare tires are also attached. The 

 car weighs about 3,300 pounds, unloaded, and about 4,000 pounds with 

 passengers and baggage. 



SIMPLEX GASOLINE AUTOMOBILE, 1912 



U. S. N. M. No. 309549 ; original ; gift of Mr. and Mrs. John D. Adams in 1929 ; 

 photograph No. 36521 ; plate 16, c. 

 This car, made by the Simplex Automobile Co., of New York City, 

 represents one of the most powerful and popular automobiles of its 

 day ; it was capable of a speed of around 80 miles an hour. It was used 

 until 1928 by the son of the donors. 



