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Cross-section of the Duryea Buggyaut's three-speed roller drive train, circa 1908.
flipFlip to 1907 Brochure for the Duryea Buggyaut.
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Drawing and explanation of the roller drive.

Credit: Courtesy of the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles

The Duryea Buggyaut used a two-cylinder power plant and three-speed roller drive train that Charles Duryea patented in 1908. Duryea's unique drive provided three forward speeds and reverse through the use of a rollers that gripped the wheel. This eliminated the problems associated with the drive chains used on most cars: constant cleaning and lubrication, high cost, frequent adjustments, and noise.

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