Electrickery

According to the Electrical Times for November 28th, last year, the Autolite-Ford Parts Division in America has constructed a car powered with 20 Autolite batteries, which has covered a flying-mile at 138.862 m.p.h. This is being advertised as a new World’s record, having beaten the speed of 65.76 m.p.h. set up in 1899 by the Jenatzy electric car “La Jamais Contente”, regardless of the fact that the F.I.A. has never recognised classes of steam or electric vehicles, although it does for compression-ignition-engined cars. It seems that this car used a General Motors fork-lift motor boosted for the run to 80 b.h.p. above its designed power. Called the Autolite Lead Wedge, this was apparently a ease of Ford and G.M. uniting in the cause of speed!