Topic: Grob_10_02: Heilmann Avant Train 1898 for prince Alex of Russia

[grobmotorix]

Does anybody have any information about this unconventional vehicle combination?  

[pnegyesi]

I have an article from around 1901. Once my son wakes up, I'll dig it out - though if someone else finds it before that, then it is fine.

As I remember it is French. There were attempts in the 1890s and early 1900s to do horseless carriages with leaving the carriage part intact and replacing the horse with a motor-driven "thing". Best attempt I've seen was an engine wrapped in sheet-metal to look like a horse!

[Paul Jaray]

There were few companies building electric avant-trains, like Kuhlstein-Vollmer, Walton, Cantono, Compagnie des Voitures Electriques, De Dion-Bouton (steamer), Dore & Bouissou, etc... before I start looking for each one of these...is it in this list?

[grobmotorix]

@pnegyesi:

Best attempt I've seen was an engine wrapped in sheet-metal to look like a horse!

Do you mean the Horsey Horseless?

If not, I want to see a picture of that here, too! 

As I remember it is French.

You seem to be right with this.

@Paul Jaray:

...is it in this list?

No, I donīt think so.

[pnegyesi]

La France Automobile featured an article on "Le Bogie Automoteur" systeme Heilmann in 1899. I believe this is depicted above. I have a very bad quality photocopy of the article showing various "attachments", a wagon, a landau etc.

[grobmotorix]

@pnegyesi:

I think this is sufficiant to award you the point!

As to my sources, this is an 1898 Avant-Train System Heilmann for prince Alex of Russia.

[pnegyesi]

Here's the scan of a bad photocopy, so my apologies

[grobmotorix]

Thank you for the scan!

It must have been a strange feeling that with any turn of the steering wheel, half of the vehicle including the steering wheel itself would turn!

[guido66]

I wonder how many turns you'd have to make lock-to-lock