Locomobile Race Car 1906

EvanJamesLee

EvanJamesLee

247
United States
Massachusetts
EvanJamesLee
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"Old 16" The winner of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup. This car helped the United States achieve their first victory in an international race.

Since the time of its creation it has been maintained to working order, it has never been restored.


Specifications (from the Henry Ford museum website)
Designer: Andrew Riker
Manufacturer: Locomobile, Bridgeport, CT
Engine: 4-cylinder, F-head (intake valves in head, exhaust valves in block), water cooled Bore 7.25 in., Stroke 6 in., Displacement 990 cu. in.
Horsepower: 120 @ approx. 1000 rpm
Drive: Rear wheels via jackshaft and dual chains
Transmission: Three speeds forward plus reverse
Brakes: Foot brake is external contracting, acting on jackshaft Hand brake is internal expanding, acting on rear wheels Both are mechanical via cables and levers
Weight: 2204 pounds
Top Speed: 100-plus mph
 
Encouraged by their third place finish in the epic 1905 Vanderbilt, the Locomobile Company of America proceeded to build a pair of sixteen-liter racing cars for the 1906 event. The two new Locomobiles immediately justified their $40,000 cost by hitting nearly 110 mph on their first outing and displaying excellent controllability. It seemed at last that America might have a car that could beat the Europeans at their own game.

During the race their lead driver was hobbled by the lack of removable rims as Joe Tracy and his mechanic, Al Poole, had to change a heartbreaking total of eleven tires on the Locomobile - all by hand, and on several occasions with the limited tools carried on the car. The two 1906 cars were modified with a new transmission and removable rims were now mounted on all four wheels. All manner of tires had been raced and experimented with since the previous Vanderbilt, and Riker had decided that one car would be fitted with Diamond, the other with Michelin tires.

The next Vanderbilt Cup race was held in 1908 and a 23-year-old New Yorker, George Robertson, was selected to drive the Michelin-shod entry. Robertson had a reputation as something of a wild man on the track and on this day he certainly lived up to expectations leaving the circuit no less than 5 times during the course of the race. The spectators were never quite sure whether to bemoan his demise or cheer his resurgence for Robertson would not be denied this day, winning the race in record time, setting the fastest lap while leading the race for eight of the eleven circuits and thus No. 16 became the most famous American race car in history.
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http://www.grandprixhistory.org/loco.htm

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Legendary car.

Grand Prix cars of this era would be pretty interesting to race with I imagine. Huge displacement 4-bangers thundering along and sliding away. :lol:
 
Last edited:
Johnny1996
This car, should it make it to GT, would be the second oldest car in a Gran Turismo game, behind the Daimler Motor Carriage (1886) from GT4, provided that I have my facts correct. Let's make it happen.
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Third oldest, GT4 had the 1886 Benz Patent Wagen as well. This Locomobile would probably be the oldest race car in the GT series though. :D
 

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