Leemag Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 I bought this item and don't know what it was used for. I thought maybe someone could shed some light on it for me. It shows steering, clutch, transmission, rear end, gears, and brakes. I thought may be training tool or dealer sample. Thanks for any help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 (edited) What a cool score! Looks like a 1920's auto shop class item. Edited August 31, 2020 by keiser31 (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 Private message sent. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustycrusty Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 Wish I woulda had one of these when I was teaching my kids to drive! It looks like it was designed to show how various gear drive layouts function in an automobile - steering, transmission and differential- and the friction devices that control them- the clutch and those external rear brakes. What a great piece of functional of art, disguised as a bit of automobilia. I can imagine the beleaguered shop teacher running it through its paces as he tried to explain the intricacies of gear ratio application and multiplication to a bunch of Bowery Boys rejects who made revving engine and squealing tire noises when his back was turned. It could have also been in a late 1910's, or early 1920's dealers showroom to show prospective buyers how the autos sold there had a modern and vastly superior sliding gear transmission, along with 2 independent rear wheel brakes, not that primitive, out-dated planetary type transmission with a single, internal brake that the car (a model "T" Ford) they were now driving had. If it were mine I would happily slide any Hummels and kid's trophies right off the end of the mantle to display this bit of history front and center! 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 I love it ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 Very cool. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 Leemag, Where did you find this? Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sagefinds Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 We all want one now. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Wetherbee Posted September 1, 2020 Share Posted September 1, 2020 I could go for one of those too... I would play with it for hours! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leemag Posted September 1, 2020 Author Share Posted September 1, 2020 I attend a tractor and engine show in Portland, Indiana every year. They have various vendors that sell antique items. My wife actually found it at one of the vendor booths. She called my attention to the piece and was sure I would be interested. The person who owned it told me it was owned originally by a Ford executive who lived in Pennsylvania. A construction company was working in the home of the Ford executive and seen the item. The piece was accepted in partial payment for the work being done in the home. The person I bought it from has owned it for 30 years and is now downsizing his collection of very high end collectibles. I passed it up for two days due to the high price but eventually decided to bit the bullet and purchase the item. Due to the information I have received so far I don't think you will find another. The chassis works very well and is excellent condition. It appears to have a museum catalog number on the front but I can't be sure of that. I wish I had more information but it appears that none is available. It is my opinion that it is a one of a kind at this point. I would like any opinions on the chassis and how old it may be based on the design you see. Thanks for your interest in the antique item. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryLime Posted September 1, 2020 Share Posted September 1, 2020 Models like this were made for driving schools in Germany in recent years . Quite common there in many forms . Visible engines , differential , transmission , and full chassis . Most of those I have seen have the company plate of the maker . You have a nice example . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Gillingham Posted September 2, 2020 Share Posted September 2, 2020 You can make out part of a makers mark on the uni-joint in the first photo. It partly says ...RT...Car Works...Downs. Mass.... I also want one of these. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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