Cheapness and Lightness in Cars.

Progress, Volume II, Issue 7, 1 May 1907, Page 253

Cheapness and Lightness in Cars.

We illustrate what might be termed the forerunner of the cheap light car in New Zealand, viz : — the Airex 9 h.p. 2-cylinder motor. A few particulars of this machine will be of interest. The back axle is of the Renault type having steel differential box, ball bearings on road wheels, and thrust bearings behind differential bevel pinion. The transmission is by silent direct drive, and the clutch is leather lined with specially designed stops for ease in speed changing. The carburetter is spray with constant level, while the motor is 1,500 revolutions per minute ; the control by handy and convenient levers on steering columns ; ignition electric by accumulator and coil ; cooling by radiator, and pump driven by friction on the fly wheel ; wheels of the artillery, type and size 28" x 3" ; body of the standard pattern, side entrance, of specially stamped sheet metal, superbly finished with high-class fittings and upholstery and rubber mats. The wheel base is 6' 6", wheel track 4', total length 10', and total width 4' 6". The frame is of pressed steel with under carriage and " demi-pincette " springs at the back. The gear box has three speeds forward, and one reverse, by means of a train of gears sliding on a square shaft. On the top speed the drive is direct, the square shaft engaging the cardan shaft by means of a claw with three projections fitted with ball bearings. When on top speed the secondary shaft remains stationary, while the first and second speeds are obtained by two different positions of the sliding gear. The three speeds and the reverse motion are actuated by one lever. All the shafts are of steel, case hardened and ground. In the differential gear the motion is transmitted from the gear box to the back axle by means of a shaft with two cardan joints, driving a small pinion in gear with a large bevel wheel. This wheel is fixed to a case containing the differential pinions which drive the axle carrying the wheels. On each side of this car is fitted a ball bearing, which can be adjusted from the outside by means

of a screwed cap. The axles carrying the wheels are mounted on a ball bearing with a double row of balls, with convenient means of adjustment.