Antique Cars and Motor Vehicles

Book excerpt: More than 500 detailed illustrations enhance this contemporary guide to the inner workings and mechanics of turn-of-the-century automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles. Released in 1911 as "Self-Propelled Vehicles: A Practical Treatise," James Homans' spectacular, all-encompassing book about the fascinating world of gas-powered, electric-powered, and steam-powered motor vehicles leaves no stone unturned in its celebration of the classic automobile. Classic car collectors, racers, and enthusiasts will enjoy this thorough look under the hood as Homans dissects every part of the "horseless carriage" from a unique and contemporary viewpoint that offers a keen insight into the bygone age of dramatic motoring. Antique Cars and Motor Vehicles spans more than 640 pages, immersing readers in a world of automotive history, vehicle parts, driving gears, steering, suspension, engines, exhaust, and even old fashioned American road signs. The hundreds of Images of cars, engines, parts, and mechanic operations are crisp and detailed, created by skilled master artists with a sharp eye for detail. It's everything that you ever wanted to know about classic motoring in a single, entertaining, and well-illustrated volume! This enhanced 2020 re-release features enlarged 7" x 10" pages that retain the original classic type font and page layouts, crisp, digitally re-scanned images, and a new retro cover design created to enhance your reading room and garage. Table of Contents: Chapter 1 - History of Self-Powered Vehicles Chapter 2 - The Make-Up of a Motor Carriage Chapter 3 - Compensation and Compensating Devices Chapter 4 - The Driving Car Chapter 5 - The Steering of a Motor Vehicle Chapter 6 - Combined Steering and Driving Chapter 7 - The Supports of a Motor Vehicle Chapter 8 - Motor Carriage Wheels Chapter 9 - Tires Chapter 10 - The Construction of Tires Chapter 11 - Pneumatic Tire Troubles Chapter 12 - Care of Pneumatic Tires Chapter 13 - Types and Merits of Automobiles Chapter 14 - The Theory of Heat Engines Chapter 15 - The Parts of a Gas Engine Chapter 16 - The Four-Cycle Gas Engine Chapter 17 - The Two-Cycle Gas Engine Chapter 18 - Compression and Expansion Chapter 19 - Efficiency in a Gas Engine Chapter 20 - Exhaust Chapter 21 - Water Cooling for the Cylinder Chapter 22 - Air Cooling for the Cylinder Chapter 23 - Power Elements of a Gas Engine Chapter 24 - Carburetors Chapter 25 - Ignition Chapter 26 - Balancing Gasoline Engines Chapter 27 - Governing and Control of a Gasoline Engine Chapter 28 - Clutches Chapter 29 - Transmissions Chapter 30 - Brakes Chapter 31 - Roller Bearings Chapter 32 - Lubricants Chapter 33 - Practical Operation of Gasoline Engines Chapter 34 - Motorcycles Chapter 35 - Steam Engines for Automobiles Chapter 36 - Boilers and Flash Generators