The Great Gatsby
Automobiles

The concept of machine driven transportation was apparent many centuries before it was invented. The creating and refining of the internal combustion engine in the late 19th century made the dream a reality. The two forefathers of automotive engineering are Germans Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz. In 1885 Daimler fitted a single cylinder water-cooled four-stroke engine to a wooden tricycle frame. Also in the same year, Benz drove a similar three wheel car which he developed independently from Daimler. Daimler had his engine built by a local firm, and the first automobile with a clutch and gearbox was created.

Americans also built cars before the turn of the century, and one of them set the speed record of 1906. It was The Stanley Steamer created by the Stanley brothers of Massachusetts that reached a top speed of 127.7 mph. Ransom Eli Olds created one of the first commercially successful cars in 1901. By mixing several different companies together he created a new production car for the wealthy. One of the greatest advances in automotive development was made by Henry Ford. He utilized the assembly line which lowered the cost of the car and made it affordable to the masses. After 1910, the front-mounted four-cylinder engine became the usual. The invention of the electric starter in 1912 allowed anyone to start automobiles and drive them anywhere.

Although the masses preferred the affordable Model-T and other inexpensive cars, the wealthy could enjoy exotic cars from all around the world. Most were equipped with multi-valve six cylinder engines that could take the car well over 100 mph. The new steel welded bodies and independent suspension allowed the car to take high speeds and sharp curves.

The yellow car Gatsby owned would be similar to this. The most expensive luxury car of his time would have around 100 bhp and could reach speeds up to 130 mph. The car Daisy was driving when she hit Myrtle would be within this description in The Great Gatsby.

The first two graphics courtesy of the S. Ray Miller Auto Museum, Inc.

The third graphic courtesy of The Pontiac-Oakland Club International



Page created on March 5,1999.
Curator:Christian James