In 2014, we have cars that park themselves, detect incoming traffic and adapt their suspension to road condition. With automatic gearboxes, these modern motors pretty much drive themselves. Meanwhile, a hundred years ago in 1914…
Jay Leno's latest car review is not really a car. It's the 1914 Christie Fire Engine. It's one amazing piece of machinery because it's actually an adapted version of a horse-drawn cart where they got rid of the horse bit and installed an engine.
Solid rubber wheels, a clutch made from just one piece of metal and a top speed in the 25 mph area. Horses had been in the fire department for about 75 years when this machine was introduced and fireman actually didn't like the modern technology because it got rid of some of the romance and adventure.
The boiler on the back of this thing is just as interesting as the pulling head. It's not full of water that it pumps out. It's actually a vacuum pump that pulls water from a hydrant or a cistern and sprays it.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News