Daimler, Kimberley model, 4.1/2 hp motor car, 1901, made by the Daimler Motor Company of Coventry. Powered by a two-cylinder, water-cooled engine of 1240cc capacity. A single flat belt takes the drive from a pulley on the engine crankshaft to a countershaft which is provided with three spur gears of different diameters, any one of which may be put into mesh with its fellow on the live rear axle.
The Coventry-based Daimler Motor Company developed the Kimberley model car as their first 'voiturette' light car. European manufacturers, such as De Dion-Bouton and Renault, had dominated voiturette production and the Kimberley brought Daimler into competition with them. The development of high speed engines increased the power to weight ratio, enabling smaller engines, and thus cars, still with decent power. This gave rise to the voiturette - a small, light type of car which cost about half as much as a standard car to buy, run and maintain.
Details
- Category:
- Road Transport
- Object Number:
- 1942-64 Pt1
- Materials:
- metal (unknown), wood (unidentified) and rubber (unidentified)
- Measurements:
-
overall: 1560 mm x 1330 mm x 2500 mm,
- type:
- car
- credit:
- Major G.W.G. Allen.
