8 HP Petrol-Electric Car

Made:
1927 in Turin
maker:
Fiat

Petrol-electric car, based on Fiat 8 H.P. open two-seater, 1927. The clutch and gearbox have been replaced by H K Whitehorn with the Tilling-Stevens petrol-electric transmission system which was patented by W.A.Stevens and P.F. Smith between 1906 and 1916. This system consists of a petrol engine driving a dynamo that supplies current to a motor which drives the rear wheels through a shaft and bevel arrangement. Whitehorn worked for Tilling-Stevens as their Chief Electrical Engineer, and in 1927 – after leaving Tilling-Stevens – he converted this car for his own use. In December 1911, a Tilling-Stevens bus had been launched in London. This was the beginning of a very lucrative venture. In addition to buses, the firm produced petrol-electrical generating devices. With advances in mechanical transmissions, and the advance of diesel for commercial vehicles, the petrol-electric transmission lost favour. Tilling-Stevens discontinued regular production in 1929.

Details

Category:
Road Transport
Object Number:
1935-502
type:
private cars
credit:
Mr. H.K. Whitehorn.

Parts

8 HP Petrol-Electric Car

8 HP Petrol-Electric Car

Petrol Electric Car, based on a Fiat 8 hp open two-seater. See TOP record for extended information about this car.

Measurements:
overall: 1470 mm x 1500 mm x 3750 mm,
Object Number:
1935-502 Pt1
type:
car
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Engine starting handle, for Fiat 8 HP Petrol-Electric Car

Engine starting handle, for Fiat 8 HP Petrol-Electric Car

Car starting handle from Petrol Electric Car, Inv.1935-502 pt.1. See TOP record for extended information about this car.

Object Number:
1935-502 Pt2
type:
handles
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Wheel-nut brace, for Fiat 8 HP Petrol-Electric Car

Wheel-nut brace, for Fiat 8 HP Petrol-Electric Car

Metal / Wood wheel-nut brace from petrol electric car, 1935-502 pt.1. See TOP record for extended information about this car.

Object Number:
1935-502 Pt3
type:
brace
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Crow-bar, for Fiat 8 HP Petrol-Electric Car

Crow-bar, for Fiat 8 HP Petrol-Electric Car

Metal fork shaped (lifting?) tool, from petrol electric car, 1935-502 pt.1. See TOP record for extended information about this car.

Object Number:
1935-502 Pt4
type:
crow-bar
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Leather apron from Fiat Petrol Electric Car

Leather apron from Fiat Petrol Electric Car

Leather apron from Fiat Petrol Electric Car, based on a Fiat 8 hp open two-seater. See TOP record for extended information about this car.

Object Number:
1935-502 Pt5
type:
apron