History of Cars part C

Antique or Brass Era (1905 - 1914)
"The antique or brass era lasted from roughly 1905 through to the beginning of World War I in 1914. This era saw the first mass produced vehicles with gasoline engines, immortalized by Henry Ford's model T. The brass era was named for the widespread use of the fancy brass fittings and brass lanterns that adorned the new 'horseless carriage'.1905 was a signal year in the development of the automobile, marking the point when the majority of sales shifted from the hobbyist and enthusiast to the average user. Brass began to be phased out about 1914 in favor of nickel, which was eventually abandoned in favor of chrome.

Within the 15 years of this era, the various experimental designs and alternate power systems would be marginalized. Steam power proved too cumbersome and electric motors were limited by battery technology (as they still are today), but gasoline was cheap and plentiful, encouraging both two-stroke and four-stroke development."

Far from luxurious these vehicles were mainly owned by the rich. With no doors, windscreen wipers or heaters and with the inconvenience of headlights lit by a match, they must have been an encumbrance to drive around. The engine was started with a crank and in wet and windy weather it was a real horror.

My grandmother bought a car of a later type in which we motored many a happy mile. But by that time they were second hand and almost giveaways as the newer more streamlined limousines came into being. The one she purchased had doors but it started only with a crank and was very high off the ground. It had a running board on either side of the vehicle on which you first stepped to enter it. As a teenager I also had great fun as with some friends we motored around Sydney in a similar vehicle, usually laughing our head off and freezing in the drafts coming through the perspex side windows, or blinds.

They made great jalopies for the young and it is probably in that context that most people would remember them. If not physically at least through movies and television shows. The were a real thrill and it is probably why the original owners flocked to get one. As they had never seen anything better they probably did not mind the inconveniences.

"The early Model T Ford revolutionized the automotive industry with the introduction of assembly-line production, which in turn made it possible for Ford to offer their car for sale at a much more affordable price. Prior to the introduction of the Model T, automobiles were built by hand, one at a time, and usually sold for anywhere from twice the average worker's salary to several times that amount."