Quiz Archive

What is it? #147 Update: 1908 Turicum)

Update: we gave strong hints this is a Swiss car in view of the 75th Geneva Car Show, but only jurymember Henk Visscher came up with.... Turicum ! We leave the 'microphone' to Henk: " (this is a)Turicum, an interesting creation of the Swiss watchmaker Martin Fisher. The bulge underneath the chassis encloses a remarkable device, which was patented in 1904/1905 by Fisher as a "friction disc driving gear in which the pressure of the friction wheel against the friction disc is increased according to the increasing traveling resistance". Nowadays known as Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), the friction disc driving gear consists of a large disc driving a wheel at right angle. By sliding the wheel on its shaft, the transmission ratio can be gradually changed." Thank you Henk ! The photo was sended to us by Swiss Turicum historian Fredi Senn. The car is a special roadster made around the year 1908. Fredi is very much intersted to get in touch with people who own or have more information/documentation on this rare Swiss make." (photo collection Fredi Senn, click photo for a U-turn) EARLIER TEXT: To be honest, we were determined to show you an American car this weekend due to the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. But sometimes we tend to forget that there was a time when all these cars were new..., when they were proudly introduced to the Press as the very, very latest development. That's why we did a last minute change of course: after a very busy week a not unimportant show will close its doors this Sunday evening; the 75th Geneva Motorshow! Sacred ground for car producers from around the world to show the best of their knowledge and craftsmanship. They did so with interruptions since 1905: enjoy the restrospective...! (www.Salon-Auto.ch). However you won't find this early sport car there, yet we think you could have seen a representative of the make at the first Geneva show. There is a small parallel with Hispano. But what, what, what...? Tell us everything you know about this car. To tell us the Make is a start. We decide what is the weight of the rest of your answer. And maybe you can tell us something about 'the thing' under the car. Only the best answer will win. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Rules:

1. only responses with nice and neatly numbered answers referring to our questions will be eligible 2. send your answer to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it BEFORE Monday, 14 March

3. PLEASE mention in the subject line of your e-mail: # 147

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

5. unless otherwise stated there is ONE winner

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

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

Friday, 11 March 2005