1916 Autocar coal truck brings simpler time to Jay Leno’s Garage
If you want to see just how much driving has improved over the earlier century, acquire a look at the 1916 Autocar coal truck highlighted on a current episode of “Jay Leno’s Garage.”
1 of quite a few autos from this period in Leno’s own selection, this truck is a genuine throwback to the early times of driving. It has no battery (just a magneto), so all you get are acetylene lights and a hand crank. It rolls on picket wheels with stable vulcanized rubber tires, with holes in the rear tires for spikes for wintertime driving. Considerably worryingly, Leno suggests they are the century-previous originals.
The gain of this anachronistic hardware is that the truck can sit for extensive periods of time and nevertheless hearth up straight away, Leno clarifies in the online video. The hassle-cost-free motor is a 2-cylinder boxer of not known displacement, generating 18 hp. That’s more than enough to lug 2.5 tons of coal at a top pace of about 25 mph. It’s channeled to the rear wheels by a 3-pace manual transmission.
The engine sits below the seats, which fold up for obtain. The simplistic design indicates the major routine maintenance job is introducing oil, the stage of which is checked by turning spigots to see how considerably arrives out. Having the oil up to temperature can be hard since of the engine’s sluggish running velocity, Leno reported, but that also means overheating is not likely.
1916 Autocar coal truck on Jay Leno’s Garage
Suspension consists of beefy-looking guide springs, when mechanical brakes take care of deceleration.
Even the position this truck was crafted for is out-of-date. It was designed to provide coal to residences and other buildings for heating. Home coal furnaces went the way of the hand starter extended ago, to the reward of air high quality and reduced carbon emissions.
Autocar is one of the oldest car manufacturers in existence. Launched in Pennsylvania at the switch of the 20th century, it initially constructed autos and trucks, but speedily narrowed its aim to commercial vehicles. The corporation is liable for several improvements, together with the ceramic spark plug and rear-close reduction equipment, Leno noted. It is continue to making commercial vehicles now.
Leno describes driving this truck as “calming” because of its clean trip, calm tempo, and straightforward operation. Watch the whole online video and see for by yourself.
