1905 Car Safety

[Dr Lebaron]

The 1905 Darracq 200HP set speed records in Europe but had zero bodywork, just open chairs on a naked chassis.
But, in a bit of clever ingenuity, Darracq cleverly offset the buckets.
WHY?

 

[Jack Meoff]

I vote number 3.
Otherwise your buddy would go for a header.

 

[7T8 Custom]

That`s what I voted for. #3

 

[Jack Meoff]

You forgot #4

A seat for your flatulent buddy.

 

[Jack Meoff]

Awesome machine though.

 

[volareandgtcat]

I looked it up .. so I cancelled my vote ....... sorry, curiosity got the better of me, and I will not tell ..... lol

 

[Dr Lebaron]

I know the answer, so I didn't vote

Number One- Better weight distribution
Better handling/traction with weight behind the rear axle.

Number 2-Passenger could engage handbrake.
In case the driver got ejected, the passenger could engage the brake

Number 3, Hold on to the driver's shoulders.
Odd 'safety' feature and sure would pass today.

Number 4-More leg room for women with large dresses
1905, women had big dresses/petticoats/bloomers.

 

[Dr Lebaron]

A 1910 Detroit oddity-1910 Brush
Single cylinder motor. Oddity to this car is motor runs counter-clockwise.
QUESTION- what was the counter-clockwise advantage??
1910 Brush

 

[Dr Lebaron]

Huge mark up these days.
'Everyman's Car'.

 

[Dr Lebaron]

 

[7T8 Custom]

With the counterclockwise motor if you get it going fast enough you can travel back in time.

 

[Justwondering]

oh you wascally wabbit

 

[Dr Lebaron]

With the counterclockwise motor if you get it going fast enough you can travel back in time.

Only way that is going 88MPH is thrown out of a plane.

Reason for the motor running counter-clockwise is in the old hand crank days it was safer/easier to start without kick back.

 

[Dr Lebaron]

Vote and learn some car history too.

 

[Dr Lebaron]

The Brush even has Mopar heritage.
It joined Maxwell-Briscoe and in 1920 Walter P. bought the place.
Then in 1925 he founded Chrysler.

 

[Dr Lebaron]

Why where offset buckets a safety advantage?

In a curve, the driver had the wheel to hold on to, the passenger could grab the driver’s shoulders