The first Russian automobile by Yakovlev and Freze
Freze at that time headed a famous factory of horse-drawn carriages. The world's first production automobiles were demonstrated in Chicago in 1893: the German model «Velo» of the Benz automobile. There was nothing like it in Russia, and the co-inventors conceived a plan to create their own automobile. The dream was realized three years later.
Working on the creation of the first Russian automobile, Yakovlev and Freze individually made a significant contribution to the design: Yakovlev created the transmission and engine, and Freze created the body and chassis. The result was a rather original design that, even without a specific name, went down in the history of domestic automobile manufacturing.
The engine, which consisted of one horizontal cylinder, was located in the rear of the body. The engine cooling system contained water. Two brass vessels served as heat exchangers, which were placed in the rear of the car body along the sides. An electric spark ignited the fuel mixture. The simplest carburetor was located in the left rear corner of the body and had a cylindrical housing.
The engine power created by Yakovlev reached two horsepower, with a displacement of 1000 cubic centimeters. The chassis of the model strongly resembled a horse-drawn carriage. The wheels were made of wood with rubber tires 6 cm wide and had spokes; the wheel hubs were without ball bearings; the springs were elliptical and longitudinal. The steering was very original: it was located above the axle in the front cross member of the body. The front wheels could rotate relative to the bushings and kingpins on the front axle, and the wheels turned together with the springs. In front of the seat, there was a vertical column on which a lever intended for turning was located.
Mentions of experiments by scientists who tried to create transport driven by muscle power can be found in historical reference books of almost any country. The carriage was to be pulled or pushed by animals or people. The torque transmitted by the efforts of a person on board the carriage was to be transmitted to the wheels. In other words, the designers dreamed of a pedal car.
Material provided by www.motorlandby.ru
_