SIMPLEX GASOLINE AUTOMOBILE, 1912 

 Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John D. Adams in 1 929 (USNM 309549) 



This car (fig. 88), 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. 



The water-cooled engine (figs. 89 and 90) is of the 4-cyl- 

 inder, 4-cycle, T-head type, with cylinders cast in pairs. 

 The bore and stroke are the same, 5% inches, giving a total 

 piston displacement of 597 cubic inches. Each cylinder 

 has an intake valve on the right side and an exhaust valve 

 on the left, operated by two camshafts in the aluminum 

 crankcase. The exhaust camshaft is movable lengthwise 

 by means of linkage controlled by a handle reached from 

 under the front of the radiator. Moving the camshaft lifts 

 the exhaust valves partially from their seats, lowering the 

 compression and aiding in starting with the hand crank. 

 The exhaust manifold leads to a muffler under the left side 

 of the car. 



Figure 88. — This 1912 chain-drive, 50-horsepower Simplex was reconditioned 

 in 1949 through the courtesy of George C. Hane, of Washington, D. C. 



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