Model Sportscar AS4 with Real Stirling Engine

This nostalgic model car with a real Stirling engine recreates the sports car AS4 which was first delivered in 1900. It is being considered the first Mercedes ever. The original vehicle was developed by Wilhelm Maybach and had a 35 hp engine. The model car just needs the odorless flame of a spirit wick to set the Stirling engine in motion with a bright rattling sound.

The car consists of more than a hundred parts. The turning circle is smaller than 60 centimeters, so that the model car can drive also on a table.

The vehicle is manufactured locally in Germany and consists of 95 percent self-produced parts. In principle, a Stirling engine works by means of two pistons which are located in cylinders of different temperature and connected to the flywheel. Air can flow back and forth between the cylinders. In the colder cylinder, the air contracts and sucks the piston inwards. As a result, the piston pushes the cold air over into the warm cylinder where it heats up, expands and pushes the warm piston outwards. Together they move the flywheel which will now turn over its vertex and reverse the kinetic energy. With its momentum the flywheel pushes the warm piston back into the warm cylinder and pulls the cold piston out of the cold cylinder. As a result, the air flows back from the warm cylinder into the cold one. It contracts - and the cycle begins again.

NOTES:

BEWARE: This engine model is being operated with methylated spirit which represents a danger to life in children's hands. The engine is NOT a child's toy and may only be operated by adults or under their supervision.

The engine must only be operated with clear, undyed methylated spirits with an alcohol content of 94 percent.

The model car is not made for perpetual use. After 10 to 15 minutes of running time it needs to take a break and cool down.

The golden color parts are raw polished brass. They will darken over time and develop a beautiful authentic patina. This is not a defect and does not affect the functionality. The onset of patina can be removed by polishing if desired.

With long and frequent use of the engine, it will eventually be necessary to clean moving parts such as ball bearings, cylinders, pistons and spindle. Instructions for this are included.