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New York, 1920. Ms. Young returns, piloting a less imposing conveyance but still with a gleam in her eye. 5x7 glass negative, G.G. Bain Collection. View full size.
This vehicle is known as the Briggs and Stratton Flyer. They were also called "Red Bugs" because they were painted red. I own an A.O. Smith Motor Wheel (just the engine). The engine, both the A.O. Smith and the Briggs and Stratton were sold seperately to be attached to bicycles. Most of the engines were sold for bicycles, and only a few for the Flyer.
A.O. Smith purchased rights to manufacture the British-designed Wall Auto Wheel. They made a number of improvements to the original. Briggs & Stratton continued to improve it after their acquisition. A surprisingly large number have survived.
A company called A.O. Smith originally had the rights to these motors and along with Briggs manufactured the Smith Flyer. They were not very successful because of the lack of power. But B & S went on to become the small motor supplier for a multitude of uses.
Ms. Young isn't exactly dressed for tinkering with a finicky one-lunger. Nonetheless she and her outfit are spotlessly clean. Her pit crew must be nearby. Wait'll her father finds out about the bad trade she made.
It's a Smith Flyer.
[Close. Briggs & Stratton Motor Wheel. - Dave]
Looks like it might have blown some air somewhere unladylike, though....
You've just got to enjoy that fifth wheel for power.
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