Ancient Engine #348 - 1912 Turner 10 HP Light Car Engine

[Otto Puzzell]

For one point: Identify this prewar engine.

Only a complete and specific answer will earn a point!  

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[Otto Puzzell]

Up

[Craig Gillingham]

Is it French?

[Otto Puzzell]

Is it French?

No sir

[Craig Gillingham]

Belgian?

[Otto Puzzell]

Belgian?

No sir

[Craig Gillingham]

I thought I was onto something.

Is it European?

[Otto Puzzell]

Yes

[Craig Gillingham]

How about Italian?

[Otto Puzzell]

How about Italian?

No

[Otto Puzzell]

Chuffing to the Pros

[Allan L]

I can't immediately recognise it, so I assume it isn't British.

[Otto Puzzell]

Assumptions can steer you astray

[Otto Puzzell]

In other words, it's from the UK

[Allan L]

In other words, it's from the UK

Thanks, I had understood that
Still doesn't make me recognise an engine that must have been carried in a tubular sub-frame (or chassis) and looks as if it has chain-drives for camshaft and mag.

[Otto Puzzell]

I can't find a clear photo of the engine installed in the car. You are correct about the chain-drive.

[ImpishGrin]

Is it prewar as in pre-WWII or pre-WWI?

[Otto Puzzell]

Indeed it is

[ImpishGrin]

So - it's British, pre-1914, with chain-driven cam and I think an inline 4. is that correct?

[Otto Puzzell]

Right

[Otto Puzzell]

The company that produced this was already decades-old when the owner - a wise man whose name belies his smarts - saw the automobile business as a growth industry.

[Otto Puzzell]

BH

[Tom_I]

The company that produced this was already decades-old when the owner - a wise man whose name belies his smarts - saw the automobile business as a growth industry.

I have been reading some old book articles about steam-powered cars, and one happened to mention that the Managing Director of the Turner Manufacturing Company, which made Turner-Miesse steamers in the UK, was a gentleman by the name of J. Burns Dumbell, who sounds like the guy we're looking for.

Turner produced petrol-engined cars in the years leading up to WW1, and the puzzle motor is their 10hp four cylinder unit introduced in 1912 according to most sources, though one I have seen puts it as early as 1909.

[Otto Puzzell]

Another impressive use of the clues provided.

Two points for you.

[Tom_I]

Thank you. I hadn't heard of Mr Dumbell before. He's not mentioned in any of the books I have, but he cropped up in an article in the old publication Light Steam Power. Despite the slightly unfortunate name, he's described as a very astute business man.