CATALOG OF THE AUTOMOBILE COLLECTION 41 



The engine and transmission are hung in the center of the frame, 

 with the 2-seated wooden body over them. The bolts securing the body 

 to the frame pass through rubber blocks, thus lessening the chassis 

 vibration that might reach the body. A step plate is located on each 

 side, and four metal fenders are placed over the wheels. Oil head- 

 lights and taillight supplied illumination. 



This car was in use up through 1941. 



COLUMBIA ELECTRIC AUTOMOBILE, 1904 



U. S. N. M. No. 310575 ; original ; gift of Mrs. Sewell M. Johnson in 1933 ; photo- 

 grapli No. 38419 ; plate 12, 6. 



The Columbia Mark LX electric runabout was first introduced in 

 the fall of 1903 by the Electric Vehicle Co., of Hartford, Conn. This 

 one was used by Dr. J. O. Skinner until 1931 and represents a typical 

 doctor's vehicle of the early period of motoring when an electric 

 vehicle was more reliable than a gasoline one. 



This automobile was designed to reduce the dead weight as much as 

 possible without sacrificing its traveling capacity. The running gear 

 and body were lightened as much as was thought consistent with safety 

 and durability, to allow more weight in the battery and the motor 

 for increased storage capacity and power. The vehicle seats two per- 

 sons, and a 40-mile traveling range was claimed for it. The weight is 

 1,200 pounds, and the maximum speed was about 15 miles an hour. 



The frame consists of oak sills reinforced by angle steel 1% inches 

 on each side. All springs are of the semielliptic type, 36 inches long. 

 The front springs are shackled at their rear ends, the rear springs at 

 their front ends. A Collins axle with plain bearings is used in front, 

 and a large tubular axle equipped with roller bearings is employed in 

 the rear. The wheel base is 64 inches and the tread 48 inches. The 

 23-inch diameter artillery wheels carry 30-by-3i/2-inch clincher tires. 

 The car is steered by a side lever located at the left of the operator. 

 A single controller handle, also located at the operator's left, governed 

 the speeds, forward and reverse. 



The body has a boxlike compartment, front and rear, each originally 

 containing half of the battery equipment. The batteries consisted of 

 20 two-volt cells, but none are in place now. They had a capacity of 120 

 ampere hours at a 30-ampere discharge rate. 



The motor, believed to have been made by the General Electric Co., 

 is of 6-pole construction, completely enclosed, and rated at 30 amperes 

 at 40 volts. It is located in the body of the vehicle beneath the seat, 

 rather than on the rear axle; this position prolonged the life of the 

 motor and the tires. 



The armature pinion is of steel of the herringbone type, meshing 

 witli another herringbone gear of bronze carried on the countershaft. 



