章 16: Four Months Prototype
February 25th, 1881.
Winter had settled over Sylvania, covering the town in a thin blanket of snow. The streets were quiet, with only the crunch of footsteps or the distant call of a vendor breaking the silence. Out on the edge of town, Matthew's factory stood brightly lit against the gray sky.
Four months ago, the factory had been empty, but now it was a fully operating workshop. Inside, workers moved with purpose along the assembly line. The air was filled with the sounds of clinking metal and the steady rhythm of machinery. Engine blocks, freshly cast, were being fitted with pistons; gears were shaped and hardened, ready for the transmission system. Each workbench was covered with tools and parts, while blueprints pinned to the walls acted as guides for the workers.
Matthew walked along the floor, checking on the work. One worker carefully lifted an engine block onto a bench, preparing it for assembly. Nearby, two others adjusted parts on a carburetor, testing to make sure each piece fit just right.
"This one shouldn't be here," Matthew pointed, directing the attention of the two workers adjusting the carburetor. "The throttle plate needs a tighter fit to control airflow accurately. If it's loose, you'll get an uneven fuel mixture, and that can throw off the whole engine."
The two workers nodded, carefully making the adjustments as Matthew continued his inspection. There were twenty workers in total, men he had personally hired from various foundries around Sylvania. Some were skilled machinists, others seasoned in metalwork, and a few had experience in assembly lines.
Moving along the line, Matthew stopped as he noticed a wave of hand from one of his workers outside.
"Mr. Hesh! A delivery!"
"I'll be there," Matthew said and walked outside the factory.
Outside, a horse-drawn carriage sat with crates stacked high, each marked with shipping labels indicating their long journey from the Orient. The driver, bundled against the cold, hopped down and greeted Matthew, who extended a hand to shake.
"Mr. Hesh, here's your delivery from the East. Rubber, as requested," the driver said, gesturing to the sturdy wooden crates. Matthew's eyes lit up with satisfaction. This was the material he'd been waiting for—quality rubber.
He quickly signed the delivery papers, his breath visible in the chilly air. "Thank you. We've been waiting for this shipment."
The driver nodded. "Glad to be of service, sir. Good luck with your work here." With a tip of his hat, he climbed back onto the carriage, leaving the crates in Matthew's care.
Turning to a few nearby workers, Matthew directed them to carefully bring the crates inside. "Handle these carefully," he instructed. "Tomorrow, we are going to assemble all of them in one piece!"
The following day, the workers gathered around as the final touches were applied to their project. After three months of painstaking effort, countless adjustments, inventing new machining electric motor tools that aid in the creation, and endless hours spent on each intricate detail, they had finally completed their first prototype.
Before them stood an elegant automobile, unlike anything the people of this town had seen. The car was grand in scale, with a powerful yet graceful design. Its long, sleek body was painted a deep forest green with black accents that highlighted its sweeping curves and sturdy frame. Chrome headlights sat proudly at the front, casting a gleam even in the dim light of the factory, and a polished grille added to its imposing presence.
The vehicle's wheels, fitted with white-walled tires, were reinforced with finely detailed, spoked rims that added a touch of sophistication. Spare tires were mounted on each side of the vehicle, just behind the front wheels, giving it a rugged yet refined look. The fenders arched gracefully over the tires, adding to the car's streamlined appearance.
The interior, though not yet upholstered with luxury materials, hinted at the comfort and elegance Matthew envisioned. The seats, crafted with care, would soon be finished in fine leather, providing both style and comfort for future passengers. Large, rectangular windows framed by sturdy metal gave the cabin an open feel, allowing ample light to pour in.
"Yup, basically a car from the 30s," Matthew muttered under his breath. Despite the technological limits, he managed to create a vehicle that has the look of a 1930s car.
Now for the specs.
At the heart of this automobile was a V8 internal combustion engine, an ambitious choice given the time period. The engine had a displacement of 6.0 liters, with each of the eight cylinders capable of delivering power smoothly and evenly. This engine could generate approximately 120 horsepower, an impressive feat given the manufacturing limitations they were working with. Each cylinder was cast from iron and precisely machined to handle combustion pressure effectively. With the carburetor system in place, air and fuel were mixed accurately, allowing for efficient combustion.
As for the transmission, the car was fitted with a 3-speed manual transmission, which allowed for basic yet effective gear shifts. The gears were precision-cut and hardened to withstand the power output of the engine. The transmission was designed with brass and steel components to improve durability, given that lubrication and wear could be problematic in extended use. This system ensured smooth power transfer from the engine to the drivetrain, making acceleration possible without jerking or stalling.
For the suspension, Matthew had opted for a leaf spring suspension system, a design that was both simple and durable. This setup used semi-elliptical springs, which provided a reasonable balance between comfort and handling. The springs absorbed shocks from the road, which helped in maintaining stability and made the ride smoother. These springs were made from tempered steel, able to handle the weight of the vehicle and passengers without sagging over time.
The braking system was a hydraulic setup. It included a master cylinder, brake lines, and wheel cylinders at each wheel. When the brake pedal was pressed, fluid was pushed through the lines, forcing the brake shoes to press against the drum, bringing the car to a halt.
The chassis was constructed from heavy-duty steel beams, carefully welded and reinforced to support the vehicle's weight and ensure structural integrity. Cross-members were added to provide additional strength, allowing the frame to bear the load of the engine, transmission, and passengers. The frame's rigidity also contributed to the overall stability of the car, making it safer and easier to control.
The wheels were made of steel with spoked rims, each fitted with a white-walled rubber tire imported from the Orient. The tires were constructed with multiple layers of rubber to withstand wear and provide grip on the road, an essential feature given the uneven road surfaces of the era. The axles, turned on lathes for precision, were heat-treated for durability and fitted with bearings to allow for smooth, reliable rotation.
Though basic, the car had a rudimentary electrical system. It included a starter motor powered by a battery, a dynamo to recharge it, and wiring for the headlights and ignition. The headlights were fitted with high-intensity bulbs, bright enough to illuminate the road ahead even on the darkest nights.
To prevent the engine from overheating, Matthew had designed a simple yet effective radiator system. Copper tubes coiled inside a metal casing dissipated heat away from the engine, with a mixture of distilled water and alcohol serving as coolant. This design helped maintain optimal engine temperature even during long drives.
The fuel was stored in a rear-mounted tank and delivered to the engine via a pump and carburetor.
Last but not least, the dimensions. It is about 5.2 meters in length, 2 meters in width, and 1.8 meters in height. Its weight was approximately 2,000 kilograms.
"Now, how does it work?" The lead of the workers, Ben, asked.
"Well, I am going to demonstrate it to all of you now as for I am sure that none of you really knows what we are making," Matthew grinned.
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