1903 Winton Two-Cylinder

Alexander Winton was one of the early pioneers of horseless carriages and is widely acknowledged as the first to set up a formal manufacturing operation for automobiles in America. His experimentations with motorcars began before the 1900s, and in 1897, he and his foreman, William A. Hatcher drove a two-cylinder Winton from Cleveland to New York. His Winton Motor Carriage Company of Cleveland sold twenty-two automobiles in 1898, and that number grew to an even one hundred in 1899.

Alexander Winton competed with a 40 horsepower 2-cylinder 'Bullet' against Henry Ford in the 'Sweepstakes Ford' at the World Champion Sweepstakes, in Grosse Point, Michigan, losing to Ford in the 10-lap race. This loss fueled Winton's determination to win, and he returned a year later with a new Winton Bullet that was capable of reaching speeds of nearly 70 mph. In October of 1902, the Winton Bullet once again competed against a new Ford car, dubbed '999', and piloted by Barney Oldfield. Ford once again defeated Winton due to the 'Bullet' (ironically) misfiring.

In 1903, the Winton became the first automobile to be driven across the United States from coast to coast. This unprecedented feat had been achieved by Dr. Horatio Nelson Jackson and his chauffeur/mechanic Sewall K. Crocker. They left San Francisco on May 23rd and arrived in New York City on July 26th, with their 63-day transcontinental journey taking them through many communities that had never before seen an automobile. It involved crossing many miles of track-less hinterland where streams had to be forded. The successful trip helped to increase public confidence in the automobile as a practical and reliable means of transportation. Dr. Jackson donated his Winton in 1944 to the Smithsonian Museum, where it resides today with Bullet No.1, and the first 8-cylinder car produced in America, Bullet No.2, as well as an 1898 example.

The twin-cylinder Winton automobile had its engine centrally located and paired with an unusual two-speed transmission (and 1 reverse) with a separate clutch for each speed and chain drive to the rear axle. The gears were in constant mesh but driven only when one of the clutches was engaged, meaning the Winton always had 'clash-less' gear selection. The lever used to engage the gearbox clutches also operated the brake band on the final drive sprocket. A foot pedal operated the contracting-band brakes on the rear wheels.

The 2-cylinder 24-horsepower engine had a 5.25-inch bore and stroke of 6 inches, for a total displacement of approximately 4.3 liters. Oil was fed to the necessary points on the engine from an oil tank under the bonnet, regulated by a float valve, ensuring even oil distribution to the cylinders. Oil was also sent to the crankcase components which were enclosed to prevent dust and debris from infiltrating the finely machined surfaces. Additionally, it ensured that oil would not drip on the carriage house floor.

A front-mounted radiator and centrifugal water pump ensured proper cooling, keeping the engine at proper operating temperatures. Throttle control was via a self-regulating intake system, employing a small air pump in the crankcase, that created pressure with each crankshaft revolution. The pressure was sent to a chamber that limited the action of the intake valve. The rising air pressure would restrict the valves as the engine speed increased, causing the engine to throttle down. Pressing the accelerator pedal would bleed air from the system, allowing the motor to accelerate and make maximum power. When the vehicle came to a stop, the air system would return the engine to a nice low idle.

Unless the spark was fully retarded, the starting handle was unable to be used. This was one of the many unique and clever features of the Winton automobile.

The chassis was suspended by semi-elliptical springs and the body was framed in ash with panels formed of poplar. The two-cylinder Winton was priced at around $2,500 in 1903, an increase from the previous year's price of $2,000 and less than the $2,300 price in 1904. Winton produced approximately 633 motorcars in 1902, 850 units in 1903, and around 900 in 1904.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2022