Day 47 23/6 2007

Study visit in World War II

A couple of weeks ago I called “Inge” in Orsa, who I bought the producer of 2003. He lived and felt well so we decided to meet so he could see the car and so that we could se his wood gas truck.

Inge drove wood gas trucks during WW II. When he got retired many years later, he restored an old truck just like they looked in the 40’s. Inge is very healthy and young in his mind though he is 79 years old. He was a driver teacher during his time of profession and now he restores old cars and motorbikes.

Micke learnt how to fill coal around the producer cone this morning. We loaded the wood hacker on the trailer and because it rained we had to cover it with plastic bags. We arrived in Orsa around twelve a clock. Inge came out of his garage and the truck stood in the yard as promised. He got really impressed of our car and we stood a long time and discussed the system and the modern inventions. When the questions had been answered, it was time for a test run.

We drove a long distance and rounded Orsa airfield. The speed was 80 km/h and it was possible to go up to about 90 km/h. Inge was most impressed by the high speed and fast accelerations.

When we came back, we took a closer look on Inges truck. He told us a lot of stories from WW II. It was shortage of most things back then. There were no fresh batteries, so parking on top of a hill and roll-starting was popular. Several times Inge had to consult a farmer with two horses near by to pull the truck up on the hill again, when the first attempt didn’t work.
He also told us how he with out a driver’s license was allowed to drive the truck. Most of the ordinary drivers was drafted for the war, so there were almost only the adolescences left that could work and the police had fully understanding for that.

After a while he asked me if I had had a ride in his truck. “No” I said. “Shouldn’t we take a ride then?” he asked. Guess what me and Micke said!? After a lot of running the fan, some stirring in the producer and a couple of rounds with the starter, the big six cylinder engine started. A dull sound spread in the neighbourhood.

We jumped in to the truck and got a nostalgic ride around Orsa. In the beginning we made about 30 km/h and when the gigantic engine started to warm up we made about 60 km/h. Inge double clutched the unsynchronised gearbox with skills. There were old producer gas matches on the dashboard and when we came out on the country and only saw old houses and fields, it felt like we were 60 years back in time. A fantastic ride and me and Micke really enjoyed it!

When we came back it was time to go home. We said goodbye and thanked Inge so much for the ride. He thanked us and thought it was as fun to ride in our car and experience a modern producer gas car.

On the way home, the car run really well. Now we have tested it in moist weather too, and it doesn’t seem to affect the system in a negative way.

Here’s a film when we ride in Inges truck.

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