A miraculous way to start a car
05/12/2018
There have been many different ways of starting a car engine over the 130 years or so since passenger cars have been around. For many decades, turning the ignition key was the only way to start a car, but some manufacturers also came up with other ideas. Sporty cars, for example, were often started with a start button.
Studebaker (among others) came up with an interesting solution . In the Champion, the engine is started by depressing the clutch. The corresponding button is mounted under the clutch pedal and the starter is activated when it is fully depressed. The ignition must of course be switched on first with the key.
This was actually a very practical idea, as it ensured that the car did not simply move forwards or backwards when starting, and engines decoupled from the gearbox were also easier to start, which increased the chances of success in view of the 6-volt system. Of course, an electric gearshift prevented the starter from being activated again accidentally while driving or changing gear.
Incidentally, the Studebaker Champion pictured here will go under the hammer at the Oldtimer Galerie Toffen auction at the Dolder on June 16, 2018 .
