This 1914 Peugeot L45 Grand Prix and its 4.5-liter engine are thought to be the great grandfather of the modern internal combustion engine. It is one of the most important surviving vehicles in the history of the automobile. Virtually every automobile engine built in the last hundred years owes a debt to the genius and inventiveness of Jules Goux, Georges Boillot and Paolo Zuccarelli "The Charlatans".
They were drivers and mechanics who joined forces with engineer Ernest Henry for the creation of the new Peugeot four cylinder engine for the Peugeot Grand Prix cars in 1912. Their idea was to locate the cams above the valves (the first double overhead cam design) and went to four valves per cylinder with pentroof pistons.
The first engines in 1912 were 7.6-liters and the cars debuted at the 1912 Coup de l'Auto, a marathon of 956 miles which Georges Boillot won in his L7.6 liter Peugeot. In 1914, the Automobile Club de France (ACF) reduced the maximum engine size in 1913 to 5.6 liters and in 1914 reduced it again to 4.5 liters.
Design and Features
- Manufacturer: Peugeot, a French automaker known for its innovative designs and success in early motorsport.
- Body Style: The L45 is a Grand Prix racing car, designed for speed and performance on the racing circuits of the early 20th century.
- Chassis: It features a ladder frame chassis, typical of the era, which provided a sturdy foundation for the car.
- Bodywork: The body is made of lightweight materials to maximize speed and performance, with a streamlined design that emphasizes aerodynamics.
- Interior: The interior is minimalistic, focused purely on functionality, with basic seating for the driver and a mechanic or riding mechanic, and essential controls for racing.
Performance
- Engine: The L45 is powered by a 4.5-liter inline-4 engine, which was highly advanced for its time.
- Power Output: The engine produced approximately 112 horsepower, a significant amount for the early 20th century.
- Valvetrain: The engine featured dual overhead camshafts (DOHC) and four valves per cylinder, which was groundbreaking technology at the time and contributed to its high performance.
- Transmission: Equipped with a 4-speed manual gearbox, providing a range of gear ratios suitable for racing.
- Top Speed: The L45 was capable of reaching speeds of around 100 mph (160 km/h), which was extremely fast for the era.
- Suspension: Utilized semi-elliptical leaf springs for both the front and rear suspension, a common design of the time that provided a balance of handling and comfort.
- Brakes: Fitted with drum brakes, which were the standard braking technology of the period.
Historical Significance and Legacy
- Racing Success: The 1914 Peugeot L45 achieved significant success in Grand Prix racing, including a notable performance in the French Grand Prix. The car's advanced engineering made it a dominant force on the track.
- Innovative Engineering: The L45’s engine, with its DOHC and four-valve-per-cylinder setup, was highly innovative and influenced future engine designs. This technology improved airflow and combustion efficiency, leading to better performance.
- Influence on Motorsport: The design and engineering principles of the L45 had a lasting impact on the development of racing cars, setting new standards for performance and reliability.
Notable Features
- Advanced Engine Design: The use of dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder was pioneering and set the L45 apart from its contemporaries.
- Lightweight Construction: The emphasis on lightweight materials and aerodynamics helped the L45 achieve remarkable speed and agility on the track.
- Racing Pedigree: The L45’s successes in major racing events demonstrated the capabilities of Peugeot’s engineering team and helped establish the brand’s reputation in motorsport.
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