Beschreibung:

149ci Single-Cylinder Horizontal Engine 8hp Winton Air-Controlled Carburetion and Battery Ignition 2-Speed Constant Mesh Gear-Box with Individual Clutches *The First American gasoline production automobile *One of the finest engineered cars of its time *Extremely rare on the market *Most examples reside in major museum collections THE WINTON RUNABOUT "The spark that ignited a whole industry" The most significant and finest engineered American gasoline car of its time. A Winton Runabout is the iconic machine that an industry sprang from. In 1898 Alexander Winton set about series producing a batch of 50 identical motorcars. Prior to this point the few American autos that had been built were done one at a time when ordered by customers. Winton changed all this by building in batches and in significant numbers. This hugely important fact should not overshadow the brilliant design of the motorcar he was producing. The Winton's engineering brilliance is its simplicity and ease of operation. An old adage says anyone can design something complicated and cumbersome, but simplicity is where the genius is. Winton, who's background was in steam engineering, devised a brilliant self-regulating intake system for his new automobile. Employing a small air pump in the crank case that created pressure with each crankshaft revolution, this pressure would then be fed to a chamber that limited the action of the intake valve. As engine speed increased the rising air pressure would restrict the valves causing the engine to throttle down. The driver could press an accelerator pedal that would bleed the air from the system allowing the motor to accelerate and make maximum power. When the driver came to a stop the air system would return the engine to a nice low idle. This system did all this brilliantly with just a few components; an air pump, a line connecting the air to the carburetor and a foot operated bleed valve. These few parts replaced the common but more cumbersome European style mechanical governors with much less complication and noise. The ignition was by reliable "make and break" points housed within the combustion chamber. A clever feature prevented the starting handle from being used unless the spark was fully retarded. The Winton was more than just a brilliant engine design. The car was handsome and complete package. Well known for light and precise steering and easy handling. One of the best features was there gearbox. Instead of using the typical American planetary unit, Winton designed a constant-mesh two-speed unit. Each gear was activated by a buttery smooth bronze clutch. The combination of the self-regulated engine and the silky-smooth gearbox made the Winton exceptionally easy to drive for customers new to motoring. THE MOTORCAR OFFERED It is a rare occasion to see a single-cylinder Winton runabout offered on the public market. Today, the majority of the surviving cars reside in major museum collections. The Smithsonian, LA County Museum, National Auto Museum, The Larz Anderson Auto Museum, Heritage Museum and Gardens, The Henry Ford Museum and the Crawford Museum all have single-cylinder Wintons in their world-renowned collections. This example represents a late example of the Winton Runabout in its most evolved form and is one of the rarest examples of its type fitted with wheel steering. Coachwork is the later Stanhope style runabout that replaced the leather dashed Phaetons of the first series. This Winton has been subject to a thorough and authentic restoration. The only obvious departure from stock would be the addition of the electric self-starting system, spark plug ignition and clincher tire replacing the obsolete single tubes. Close examinations reveal a very good car that must have been a highly complete prior to restoration. It would certainly make a fine candidate for the London to Brighton run. Its date should see it have a nice early start but then motor by most of the cars of its era with its impressive power. T