The Early Days

• History Index
• Functions of Automotive Body
• Design Factors
• The Body Challenge
• The Early Days
• Early Body and Chassis
• Mass Production
• American Styling Revolution
• The Italians
• Safety
• Voice of the Customer
• Mechanical Influences
• Evolution of Body Features

• Many experiments in late 1800s
• Combining features of
• Bicycle
• Coach
• Handcart
• Carriage
• Boat
• Design was overshadowed by function

• America was slower than Europe
• Stronger railroad system
• Widespread use of horse & carriage
• Longer travel distances
• Large wheels were necessary due to poor road conditions
• Expensive

• The carriage’s influence persisted for a long time
• The owners did not drive!
• The driver sat high
• Floorboards on top of the chassis frame
• Chassis frame on top of springs above the wheels
• Even in 1906 a Vauxhall placed the driver high and in the rear

• Karl Benz
• The first practical motor vehicle
• 1886
• Slightly ahead of Gottlieb Daimler
• Powered by a single cylinder 986 cc gas engine
• Developed just under 1 hp at 400 RPM
• Top speed of 9 mph
• Chassis made from bent tubing
• Body was limited to padded seats and footboard

• William Steinway in Chicago
• 1893
• Piano maker and automobile enthusiast
• Acquired the American rights to Daimler’s patents
• Started American Daimler Company
• High quality and stylish wood finishes
• A model for future luxury vehicles

1892 Daimler for the Sultan of Morocco

• Racing was introduced in 1894
• Between Paris and Rouen
• Open to all types of self-propelled vehicles
• Demonstrated France’s design leadership
• Races are significant, because they push the design envelopes

1899 Benz, a family four-seater

• Note,
  • Similarities to carriage
  • Passengers in vis-avis seating arrangement

• Landau
  • Passenger facing each other (vis-à-vis)
  • A hood at each end
  • Central doors

• Cabriolet
  • Any car with a convertible folding roof

Artists where the primary communicators of design

• 1913 Sketch by Gamy
• Uses artistic tricks to give the impression of speed, elegance, and fashion
• Chrysler hired a group of illustrators in 1925 to work alongside engineers
• In 1928, the first Styling Department was formed at Chrysler, focusing on illustrations of future cars

• History Index
• Functions of Automotive Body
• Design Factors
• The Body Challenge
• The Early Days
• Early Body and Chassis
• Mass Production
• American Styling Revolution
• The Italians
• Safety
• Voice of the Customer
• Mechanical Influences
• Evolution of Body Features