Head on the "Weber

Roadster" has a strik-

ing appearance. In the
drawings below, the
construction details of
a simpler radiator and
hood are shown.

Above--when pushed forw-

ward, the hand lever causes
the idler pulley to tighten
the single drive belt, mov-
in the car. Pulling the lever
back applies the brakes.

THERE is one definite rule to follow in making a

sidewalk automobile--get your engine first and
build the car around it. This applies pretty much to
the wheels too.
A half-horsepower, two-cycle washing machine
engine is available in nearly all sections of the
country, and as these can be had second-hand at a
reasonable price and have sufficient power for
moderate speeds, they make satisfactory installa-
tions. Herewith are working drawings of the little
car owned by Richard Weber, of Sar. Marino, Cali-
fornia, which is driven by this type of
motor and has proved successful for a long
period. It is very easy to build.
In Figs, 1, 2 and 3 are given the general
over-all dimensions. Note that the front
wheels have a wider tread than the rear.
This permits a shorter turning radius, and
brings the back wheels in close to the
power unit, The engine is provided with
Modern Mechanix
 Left--The trim little run-
about is powered by a
Maytag washing machine
motor of one-half horse-
power, which enables the

car to travel about 16 mph

averaging 50 to 75 miles
per gallon of gasoline.
Motor is connected to one
wheel by a drive belt.

by Hi Sibley
A kick starter, and clutch arrangement
consists of an idler pulley which tightens the
single drive-belt when the hand lever is
pushed forwardd. When pulled back, it
operates the brake. Drive is on one wheel,
brake on two.
Hood, seat-back and dummy radiator are
of galvanized iron cut as shown in Fig- 12.
These dimensions are approximate as a cer-
tain amount of fitting is always necessary for
curved members. If you have the facilities.

The start of a midget auto race

with the Weber car in
foreground of the lineup.
the edges of the metal should be beaded The
edge of the seat back is protected with a strip
of leather laced on with rawhide. It will be
best to leave the cutting of the hood, etc,
until the chassis is completed.
Several types of wheels are available for
small autos, being manufactured by toy
makers, tire companies, etc. The original car
in the photos has disk wheels with the brake
drum and pulley cast integral, and turned
Continued on page 118]
 This Sidewalk Runabout
[Continued from page 75]
down on a lathe, as in Fig. 11. This of course
requires a pattern. Another very satisfactory
wheel used by the writer for several small power
vehicles Is a 3-inch by 12-inch disk with balloon
tire. It is assembled with six small bolts through
the hub, and by substituting longer ones for
these, a combination brake-drum and drive pulley
can be bolted securely to the wheel. A spacing
ring will be necessary to hold the drum away
from the tire, as- illustrated in Fig. 11.
The rear wheels turn on a stationary steel axle.
This is secured to the wooden cross - member at
rear of frame by means of J-bolts, simply a
1/4-inch carriage bolt with the head cut off and
the end bent as shown in Fig. G. Steering
knuckles and a built-up axle are used on. the
front end. Fig. 9. Construction of these parts
requires welding, bending and drilling only, and
the wheel spindle must be turned to accommodate
the standard wheel bearings.
Figs, 4 & 5 show the complete chassis as-
sembly. The sills or stringers are 1-1/2x2-inch
oak with 2x4-inch oak cross-members where
indicated. The chassis is 4 inches wider at back
than in front. After the front axle is bolted to
the sills, a pipe nipple socket for the bottom
end, of the steering post is installed. A plywood
floor is then carried as far as the back of the
seat. Upon this is erected a strap iron frame to
support the upper end of the steering post as
well as hood. The steering wheel may be either
a full she auto wheel, or a hardwood rim screwed
to a cut-down Model-T spider.
For the hand lever a pipe, bar or section of
seamless steel tubing is bent to a right angle and
carried in a pair at bearings screwed under the
sills, as shown in Fig. 4, An arm is welded onto
the lever for attaching the brake cables and a
yoke and link connect the lever with the idler
pulley assembly.
Fender bars protect the rear wheels, and the
engine bed is mounted on the rearmost cross-
member and one just behind the seat. The brakes
consist of brake-lining riveted to a shoe made in
the form shown in Fig. 7, which is welded to a
sliding bar, carried in a sheet steel guide screwed
to the chassis sill. A tension spring holds it
away from the brake drum when not applied.
A very satisfactory clutch consists of an idler
pulley mounted on a sliding bar as in Fig. S.
This tightens the belt on the drive pulley and
starts-the little car smoothly. As this type of
engine is not arranged for variable speed, no
controls are necessary, unless a shorting switch,
convenient to the hand while driving, is desired.
Various makes of engines can be used in this
car, the drive arrangement being identical, For
only one-half horsepower, have your wheel -
pulley at least 9 inches in diameter. This will
not give any startling speed, but enough power.