Decorah man shows off his quadracycle

The Quadracycle was Henry Ford's first successfulgasoline powered "double-cylinder" engine road vehicle, which he builtafter he had abandoned the idea of using a steam engine as a power source.  Ford first drove the car on June 4, 1896 and built onlythree experimental models, always trying to make them lighter.  Only one still exists--it is preserved atthe Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.

Decorah resident Dave Dunlavy, a one-time member of the Board of Directors of theModel T Ford Club of America, now has re-created that vehicle.  He showed off his creation to the Decorah Lions Club at a recentmeeting.

Dunlavy started his projectin 2010 after purchasing a set of plans from a retired Ford IllustratingEngineer.   His vehicle has an engine with two horizontalcylinders mounted side-by-side with the heavy flywheel mounted between.  The chassis is made from angle iron and thewheels are bicycle wheels.  On Dave'srecreation, the shift lever has three positions, back - forward, middle -neutral and forward - brake (which tightens a leather belt around a woodendrive pulley). 

Dunlavy said that he appreciated the assistance of localcraftsman who helped with the project.