Working Lorry Models in a Museum.
Page 8
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
THE Autocar Co., of _Ardmore, Pa., celebrated their 25th anniversary last year, and they find added satisfaction in the fact that they were on this occasion requested by the Smithsonian Institution to supply models of their 5-ton heavy-duty vehicle for permanent exhibition in the transportation section of the Institution. The Smithsonian Institution might he regarded as the British Museum of America.
Two quarter-size models have accordingly just been completed at the Autocar factory and delivered to the Institution. The model fitted with a stake body is the 156-in, wheelbase type, while the other is of the120-in. wheelbase type. The latter is' mounted with a complete rotary dumping mechanism and a body which can be elevated and lowered exactly the same as in the full-size lorries.
The illustrations reproduced on this page. indicate clearly that the quarter. sizescale has been adhered to in every detail. In fact, these two models. are real motor lorries, not something put together to show what a quarter-size motor lorry would look like. It is, of course, not intended to operate the model vehicles with petrol as fuel, small electrio motors to which they are coupled being used for driving purposes All of the operations essential in constructing a full-size lorry Were necessary in the case of these models, beginning with mechanical drawings and patterns and ending with castings and assembling.
In addition to the model lorries, a fullsized four-cylinder Autocar engine, cut away to disclose the working parts and connected with an ,electric motor for power purposes, -has been permanently mounted in a glass ease in the Institution. All parts have been carefully designated With separate labels. These exhibits are the object of daily study.