CATALOGUE OF THE MECHANICAL ENGINEERING COLLECTION. 61 



Gasoline Automobile, 1896. Gift of the Olds Motor Works. 



This machine was constructed by R. E. Olds in Lansing, Michigan, 

 and was first successfully operated in 1896 at a speed of eight to ten 

 miles an hour, carrying four passengers. 



The car is equipped with a six horsepower single cylinder water- 

 cooled motor placed horizontally l)eneath the rear portion of the 

 carriage body, and Avith the crank shaft about midway between the 



front and rear axles. Power is transmitted through sprockets and 

 chains to the rear driving wheels. The wheels are of wood equipped 

 with solid rubber tires. Mounted on an extension of the crank shaft 

 are friction clutches controlled by a vertically revolving post near 

 the driver. The steering mechanism is of the tiller type, the right 

 and left motions being transmitted to the wheel spindles through a 

 radius rod. 



The whole poAver plant is swung centrally beneath the body, the 

 crank-shaft end of the motor being supported by curA^ed iron straps 

 attached to the front axle, and the cylinder head hanging from the 

 rear portion of the body oAcr the axle. A cellular Avater-cooling 



