Vehicle Description
As our roads become increasingly populated with gasoline-electric
hybrids, plug-ins, and fully electric vehicles, we have the
opportunity to pause and look back through the pages of automotive
history and see that some of today's cutting-edge technology today
is mirrored in the dawn of the automobile. The turn of the
twentieth century a time of unencumbered creativity that gave rise
to the motoring industry. The early days of motoring were rife with
experimentation as automobiles rapidly evolved from the simplest
modified motorized carriages into sophisticated, sometimes
needlessly complicated machines. With no standards and no
regulations, virtually every aspect of automobile design was open
to interpretation, and primitive forms of today's familiar tech
made the occasional appearance as manufacturers sorted out the best
way to build and market the new-fangled motorcar. One of the more
creative and unusual ideas came from an electrical engineer and
former employee of Thomas Edison named Justus B. Entz. As early as
the late 1800s, Entz experimented with a unique electric
transmission system that could, in theory, provide infinitely
variable ratios without a direct connection between the engine and
rear axle. The Entz Electric Drive Transmission replaced the
engine's flywheel with a set of field windings, acting as a
generator to power an electric traction motor connected to the rear
axle via a driveshaft, similar in principle to a modern
diesel-electric locomotive. There was no direct connection between
the gasoline engine and the drive wheels, and the system provided
powerful electrical braking and a regenerative function that
charged the vehicle's electrical system - in essence, the ancestor
of the mega-tech MGU-K in a modern F1 car! Entz's first
demonstration ended in disaster when the powerful electrical arc
from the transmission ignited the engine's fuel supply, burning the
prototype to the ground. Undaunted, he persisted and continued
development. Entz later produced a more successful prototype using
an Austro Daimler supplied by his primary financial backer, Mr. Roy
Rainey. That car became the first Entz automobile, debuting at the
1914 New York Auto Show. Entz and his invention previously caught
Raymond and Ralph Owen's attention, who attempted to adapt the
system for production as early as 1912. By 1915, the Owens had
taken over Entz's project and partnered with Baker Electric to
produce cars commercially as the Owen Magnetic. After the first 250
cars, production shifted from New York to Cleveland, where Rausch &
Lang Electric joined forces with Baker in supporting the Owen
brothers. By this time, interest in electric cars was waning, and
they saw their involvement in the Owen Magnetic as a bid to stay
competitive. R&L produced the coachwork in their existing body
shop, while Baker Electric built the Owen Magnetic chassis and
engine, and Raymond Owen directed sales. Billed as "The car of a
Thousand Speeds," the Owen Magnetic struggled to find buyers,
primarily because of its eye-watering cost. The Owen Magnetic was
one of America's most expensive cars, starting at $3,100 and
stretching to $6,000. By comparison, $5,600 bought a
lavishly-appointed Packard Twin-Six Brougham. Other obstacles
included excessive weight and the average mechanic's inability to
service it. By 1919, Baker R & L ended their involvement in the
project, and Raymond Owen moved production to Wilkes Barre,
Pennsylvania, where a few more cars trickled out. Despite a
promising order for 500 vehicles to be sold in England under the
Crown Magnetic name, the funding never materialized, relegating the
Owen Magnetic and Justus Entz's unconventional yet fascinating
electric transmission to the history books in 1920. As one of just
a handful of known survivors, this 1917 Owen Magnetic M-25 Touring
represents a rare opportunity to acquire one of these fascinating
and unusual motorcars. This example is remarkably original,
presented with a heavy patina that is refreshingly authentic. The
5-passenger touring body is attractive and well built, with fine
details such as the distinctive V-shaped radiator. Despite the
remarkable engineering that sits below the skin, the M-25 tourer is
a relatively understated car with a handsome yet conventional
outward appearance. Finished in green on the body and with black
fenders, it is full of character and charm. This example is fitted
with optional wire wheels, which are in good condition and wearing
period-style tires. The black upholstery is similar to the rest of
the cosmetics. On close inspection, it appears the seats were
reupholstered many years ago, while the door and kick panels may be
original. Features include folding opera seats and a heavy-grained
vinyl top with a complimentary boot cover. The dash features an
array of instruments, and from the driver's seat, you experience
the unique control arrangement of the Owen Magnetic. A single foot
pedal controls engine speed, while the large lever on the steering
wheel controls electrical output via a series of detents. There are
no gears to mesh, no rev-matching, and no heavy clutch pedal.
Reverse gear is operated via a lever to the driver's left, and a
second lever works the supplementary mechanical brake. It is a
marvelously innovative arrangement combining the simplicity of
early electric cars with the versatility and range of an internal
combustion vehicle. Powering the mythical magnetic transmission is
a 303 cubic-inch Continental six-cylinder, fed by a single
carburetor. The engine bay is orderly and consistent with the rest
of the car in its presentation. As a feat of engineering, the Owen
Magnetic is genuinely astonishing and a machine well ahead of its
time. This marvelously authentic and well-preserved example would
make a superb display piece as-is or to sort and enjoy on the road.
With the modern collective turning its attention to alternative
fuel vehicles, the Owen Magnetic offers a fascinating look back at
yesterday's technology, where we remember that even the best ideas
of today may not necessarily be new. Offers welcome and trades
considered For additional details please view this listing directly
on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6893-1917-owen-magnetic-touring/