Quiz Archive

What is it? # 139 (UPDATE: 1904 Walter)

Update: Only three competitors were prepared to risk their neck on this one. And yes it was far from simple.... But let's start with the nicest part; what would be an appropriate name for this carriage/tractor combination? Jury member Hans Compter came up with: '.... "cab-remorqueur". The word "cab" relates to the meaning of a taxi. A nice short word in the lower Germanic dialect, better known as English, would be "artic-coupe" or "artic-cab".'
Mark Dawber produced: "The trailer is mounted where the 'mother-in-law' seat would have been. Maybe the combination could be the 'in-laws caravan'. The whole family could remain hidden out of sight!"
Stuart Penketh writes: "Appropriate name : Since the carriage is a "Batchelor Brougham", most likely by Brewster (NY, close to the Trenton New Jersey home of the Roeblings, who would make the new Mercer), the name possibly should be the "Walter Motor Truck Batchelor Brougham Close Coupled Rig" .
This last one - by Stuart - being closest to the truth. A similar contraption in a 1914 cartoon was named "Extension Brougham".
Unfortunately for Stuart the name was the 'extra' question. With the first questions he came very, very close. But not as close as Mark Dawber who merciless claims his third win and a jury seat:
1. Walter (or Waltmobile).
2. 1903 - probably the 2 cylinder model.
3. Mercer
The car is known at the Larz Anderson Museum as being a 1904 Walter, a make that later evolved into Mercer. With 1903 Mark came close like nobody else. Congratulations!
(photo Larz Anderson Auto Museum) Earlier: It is sort of an open driver limousine. Not an electric one, by the way. In fact we are playing you tricks. We hid the engine for more impact. Click the photo and you'll know where the engine is, what doesn't mean that you what car it is instantly. It's one of those short lived smaller makes that later evolved in a wellknown make of sportscar... To study the basic set-up of the car click for more detail . We want to hear from you 1. the Make 2. the Year 3. the Make into which this make evolved as from 1910 4. (extra question) what would be an appropriate name for this coach/tractor combination? Only the best competitor will win the PreWarCar/ Roadmap gillet.
Rules:

- only responses with nice and neatly numbered answers referring to our questions will be eligible - send your answer to \n This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it BEFORE Monday, 17 January

- PLEASE mention in the subject line of your e-mail: # 139

- include, for in case you win: your shirt SIZE, being S,M,XL or XXL and the ADDRESS where we should send the shirt

- unless otherwise stated there is ONE winner

- please mention if you were an earlier winner (1,2 or J)

- THREE time winners automatically become Jury member, but of course there is no obligation in any way

Friday, 14 January 2005