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 Dan Vaughan

Detachable Tonneau

Alexander Winton made the first automobile purchased in the United States on April 1, 1898. Like the 1904 Cadillac, this Winton can be quickly and easily converted from a rear-entrance touring to a snappy two-place roadster. This was one of the earliest cars to be equipped with wheel steering and single-tube pneumatic tires.

In 1903, the Autocar declared that 'the Winton is generally regarded as America's premier make of petrol car.' That same year, a Winton became the first automobile driven across the United States from coast to coast. Dr. H. Nelson Jackson and his chauffeur/mechanic Sewall K. Crocker left San Francisco on May 23rd and arrived in New York City on July 26th. Their 63-day journey traversed through many communities that had never before seen an automobile, across desolate terrain, and through track-less hinterland where streams had to be forded.

The transcontinental journey was accomplished by a two-speed, chain-driven, 20hp Winton. It had a 260 cubic-inch displacement (approximately 4.3-liters) with a bore and stroke of 5.25- and 6-inches respectively. It had a rated output of 22hp using the Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers (ALAM) formula. It used a unique inlet valve actuation system that controlled its lift using compressed air, regulating the amount of air and fuel mixture from the carburetor to the cylinders. The carburetors had no throttle control and the engine speed was adjusted by the driver's control of ignition timing.

Cooling water was circulated around the engine and through a radiator via a centrifugal pump. A dual-compartment storage tank held additional water in one compartment and fuel in the other.

The engine was centrally located, driving an unusual two-speed transmission with a separate clutch for each speed, with the rear axle motivated by chain drive. The gears were in constant mesh but driven only when one of the clutches was engaged ('clash-less' gear selection). The lever system that selected the gearbox clutches also engaged the brake band on the final drive sprocket. Additionally, there were contracting-band brakes on the rear wheels, applied by a foot pedal.

The right-hand steering column was attached via a hinge that allowed the wheel to wing out of the way, facilitating access to the two seats. The rear axle was suspended by full elliptical springs and located by trailing arms. The front axle used semi-elliptical springs.

The 1903 Winton Two-Cylinder detachable Tonneau with seating for five had a base price of approximately $2,500. Winton produced around 850 motor vehicles in 1903. Production would increase to around 900 units the following year and a thousand by 1905 and 1906.

The company continued in business until February 11th of 1924 when it was forced into liquidation. The Winton organization remained in business after its departure from the automotive car-building sector, manufacturing diesel engines.

by Luray Cavern Museum