1902 Mors Type Z

Generously Lent by the Revs Institute / Miles Collier Collection, Naples, FL

·       Dominant early race winner in point-to-point racing

·       573 cubic inch 4-cylinder engine

·       Sister car of land speed record holder driven by Willie K. Vanderbilt

The 1902 Mors Type Z racer was the pinnacle of race car engineering at the turn of the century.  Alongside Panhard et Levassor, Mors of Paris France was one of the earliest builder of cars built specifically for racing and competed in many of the popular road races between various European cities.  While other manufacturers relied on leaf springs for suspension, starting in 1902,  Mors utilized pneumatic dampers at each wheel to cushion the ride over the treacherous dirt roads across continental landscapes, reducing breakdowns and improving traction.

The Z Type racer has a 9.2 liter (573 cubic inch) inline 4-cylinder engine producing 60 horsepower reaching speeds of 70 mph or more.  As a safety precaution to limit speeds, in 1902 race organizers set a maximum weight limit on the “heavy” class of 1000kg, hoping that manufacturers would use smaller and lighter engines in the vehicles which would in turn, slow them down.  However, builders took a different approach and lightened only the chassis components and increased horsepower, and the resulting power to weight ratio actually increased speeds on the racecourse.  This vehicle was one of 6 Mors Type Z entries in the 1902 Paris to Vienna Race, finishing 9th out of 136 participants and was the only Mors to complete the race. Later in the year Henri Fournier won the Paris-Berlin race in a Mors racer.

Subsequently, several Mors Type Z racers made attempts at the Land Speed Record in 1902 in Chartres, France, the first of which was captured by Newport resident Willie K. Vanderbilt at a speed of 76.08 mph, becoming the first gasoline engine powered vehicle to hold the record.  Mors ceased their racing efforts in 1908 for economic reasons and continued under the control of Henri Citroen.  In 1925 Citroen bought the company and converted the factory for the production of Citroen automobiles.

Special thanks to Miles Collier and the Revs Institute in Naples, Florida for the generous loan of this vehicle which is uniquely tied to the automotive history of Newport and the Vanderbilt family.

Specifications

Engine: 9236cc (573 cubic inch) inline 4-cylinder, front engine , rear chain drive, magneto Ignition, mechanical fuel pump

Chassis: Pneumatic Suspension dampers, rear brake only

Horsepower: 60hp at 1400 rpm

Top Speed: 70+ mph

Weight: 2220 lbs