The car that actually changed the world had a much quieter rollout than Tesla’s Model 3

Quartz ^ | 29 July 2017 | Leslie Josephs i

[DUMBGRUNT]

But Musk might be putting the cart before the horse. Ford didn’t toot their own horns prematurely—”[They] thought it was an evolutionary model, but it was a revolutionary model,”

[DUMBGRUNT]

Time will tell.

[2ndDivisionVet]

[Paladin2]

If it won’t haul my skiis inside by loading through the rear hatchback and have 4x4 it ain’t going to go.

[Fiddlstix]

The 1921 Model T Ford

[Paladin2]

That vehicle looks highly useful.

[bigbob]

yahhbut it’ll never sell ;-)

[Does so]

On eBay, I bought a 1917 postcard that describes a trip from Dedham, MA to Lake Sebago, ME. My new-born-Dad's Aunt had made the trip "by machine".

Well, my Dad thought it was funny...

[Openurmind]

The only reason we didn’t continue development on the steam autos was due to human patience. No one wanted to wait a few minutes for the steam to build. White company later made one that had a superior “Flash” burner that would produce steam in less than a minute. Humans still could not wait a whole minute so gas became popular instead.

With today’s technology applied, steam could potentially be one of the cleanest most efficient hybrid systems available right now.

Thank you for posting this, I love the history of the Automobile.

[Company Man]

Full, unfettered access to the engine compartment. I wish my car had that.

[RegulatorCountry]

Here’s a very nice one in an ongoing no reserve online auction in Oregon, I’m acquainted with the seller, very reputable honest guy:

http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1926-ford-model-t/

Current bid is $4,300.00

[Calvin Locke]

I'm pretty sure White was the first Presidential automobile.

Its boiler was small, on the order of a quart, maybe two, to speed startup. It had a condenser too, to try to capture a lot of the steam to recycle the water.

[EEGator]

Somewhat related, I highly recommend this series:
The Men Who Built America

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA63xWGPI-k&t=5s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5nYljEkc94&t=13s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuqbNv-mMYY&t=12s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sh6XYRwuww

[Openurmind]

Yep, the White semi closed system to recycle the water was very innovative at the time. You know, steam is one of the most efficient power sources there is to date. Especially if high efficiency power conversion like the Lysholm is used.

Natural gas over closed system steam over electric could probably produce one of the most BTU efficient hybrid systems ever designed. No batteries included or needed. :)

[jerod]

1 car off the line... 500,000 on order and they’ve never made more than 60,000 units in a year. Should be interesting to see if they can fill all those orders before Elon Musk gets exposed as a fraudster crook and it all comes crashing down.

[PIF]

And once Tesla crosses the 200,000 unit-line for all units made to date all the subsidies go away ...

[DUMBGRUNT]

Don’t believe it was 4WD but did OK?
Downhill or cross-country?
Most downhill should fit.

http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675025341_Ford-Model-T-car_car-on-railway-track_car-drives-in-snow_car-on-a-steel-pipe

[AndyJackson]

Full, unfettered access to the engine compartment.

And you know what all the parts are for.

[DUMBGRUNT]

True, he is a rent seeker.

That said, I hope he does well.
If not, no surprise.

[TexasGator]

“You know, steam is one of the most efficient power sources there is to date.”

I always wondered why all the locomotives are steam driven ...

[DUMBGRUNT]

A bit more complicated than that.
Ever work a Penberthy steam injector, or equal.
Some excitement to get it going.

And what do you do for antifreeze with all the water?

A closed or open system?...

All fun stuff and not insurmountable.

ICE won the race.

And don’t overlook the steam systems that use the combustion heat to drive the same piston...