Another Nothing New Under the Sun

Gas-electric hybrid bus made by the Versare Company. Because of the distance between the axles, and the narrowness characteristic to most streets in that era, the driver was unable to turn corners easily—except on the Atwater Avenue route. In 1934, seven years after this photo was taken, the Atwater Avenue Monster broke in half.




But not the first. I found this but no idea of what, where and when. Possibly European. The bloke on the footpath looks like he has an Austrian or German hat.

Hello Lang,
Does Gas-electric mean petrol-electric or gas (gasolene) or gas (propane mixture)?

Regarding the Packard self parking car I often wonder why Americans pronounce it "Pakrd" also why they pronounce the cars of William Lyons "Jagwar" while the rest of the world call them "Jaguar." How do they pronounce the name of the big African cat. Do they say Jagwar or Jaguar?

Morris

I would think it is petrol-electric just like the latest 2022 Hybrids.

As for pronunciation I think the Yanks should wake up to themselves and pronounce words proper like us Ostrayans. They are as bad as NSW people saying Newcarsl instead of the correct Newcassl. The Zeebras would have some comment on the Giraffs and Jagwars.

Lang

Now this unknown operation is really interesting. They were far ahead of their time.

The Versare Story

www.coachbuilt.com/bui/v/versare/versare.htm

From the above article. This is their setup, petrol engine providing power for individual electric motors.

This is a page from the book ROVER MEMORIES and it describes the engine brake in the 1907-9 Rover 16 - 20 hp car.Basically a mechanical "Jake" brake.