Front-Wheel Drives, are they Coming or Going? Part I – SAE Journal – September 1928
This September 1928 issue of the Journal of the SAE, deals with the up-to-then status of front wheel drive. In all, this very lenghty article comprises of no less that 25 pages, inclusive photograhs. All aspects are discussed; davantages and disadvantages are listed and compared. Almost all known front wheel drives in the US and […]
La vapauer et l’Essence- La Vie au Grand Air – 23 February 1906
In those early days, the different means of mechanised propulsion still were available, parallel to each other, one might say. Steam and electicity as the propulsive technolgy, as well as the new internal combustion engines. Here, the French Serpollet steam car is considered; as well as its ad- and disadvantages are discussed. Steam cars could […]
Les Roues avant Motrices, Translation – Omnia – Octobre 1929
In this october 1929 issue of the French automotive magazine Omnia, front wheel drive is discussed. Based on what happened till then in the United States on this subject, the French technical press looks into some new concepts. Examples of both the Auburn and the Cord car first are briefly highlighted, followed by the new […]
Les Roues avant Motrices – Omnia – Octobre 1929
In this october 1929 issue of the French automotive magazine Omnia, front wheel drive is discussed. Based on what happened till then in the United States on this subject, the French technical press looks into some new concepts. Examples of both the Auburn and the Cord car first are briefly highlighted, followed by the new […]
Front Wheel Drive O.K. or N.G.? – MoToR – September 1928
Here, a critical article is written on the question of front-wheel drive. Is it really necessary? What are the positive effects and how do these apear in comparison to existing rear-wheel drives? From a standpoint of driving all-day passenger cars in contrats to racing cars. But also in view of designing a car. It may […]
1904 Christie’s Front-Wheel Drive
Text and jpegs by courtesy of hathitrust.org www.hathitrust.org, compiled by motorracinghistory.comThe Automobile, Vol. X (10), June 18, 1904 Walter Christie’s Front Wheel Drive of 1904. In 1904 the US patent #761,657 was granted to Walter Christie on a front-wheel drive system. This patent is described in The Automobile of June 18, 1904 as follows: Front […]
Miller Front Drive Racing Car – Motor Age – 11 December 1924
This article, written by the French journalist Paul Dumas, described the Miller 91 front wheel drive of 1924. This car was based on the idea and a request of Jimmy Murphy, who perished that year. Text and jpegs by courtesy of hathitrust.org www.hathitrust.org, compiled by motorracinghistory.comMotor Age, Vol. XLVI (46), No.24, December 11, 1924 Miller […]
67 Cu. Inch Straight-8 Racing Engine by Salmson – Motor Age – 22 March 1928
Text and jpegs by courtesy of hathitrust.org www.hathitrust.org, compiled by motorracinghistory.com Motor Age, Vol. LIII (53), No. 12, March 22 1928 67 Cu. In. Straight-Eight Racing Engine Built by Salmson Built by Salmson of Paris, Develops 100 hp. at 5800 r.p.m. and Will Turn Up to 8000 r.p.m. – Gives Car a Speed of About […]
Impasse Cirumvented by Front-Wheel Drive, Part I – Automotive Industries – 4 June 1927
Over many years, the technical specialist and highly rated author Peter Martin Heldt wrote for several American automotive magazines. In this 1927 article in Automotive Industries, he explains the different aspects of the then upcoming front-wheel drive. Because of its lengthy write, it’s divided here in two parts. Not only an interesting read, but I […]
Impasse Cirumvented by Front-Wheel Drive, Part II – Automotive Industries – 4 June 1927
Over many years, the technical specialist and highly rated author Peter Martin Heldt wrote for several American automotive magazines. In this 1927 article in Automotive Industries, he explains the different aspects of the then upcoming front-wheel drive. Because of its lengthy write, it’s divided here in two parts. Not only an interesting read, but I […]