The first 'hybrid' car. Not the Prius. The 1920 Owen Magnetic:

[trof]

The Owen Magnetic was a brand of hybrid electric luxury automobiles manufactured between 1915 and 1922. Car models of the brand were notable for their use of an electromagnetic transmission and were early examples of an electric series hybrid drivetrain.

The drive mechanism had no direct connection between the engine and the rear wheels. Instead of a flywheel, a generator and a horseshoe shaped magnet were attached to the rear of the engine's crank shaft. On the forward end of the car's drive shaft, was an electric motor with an armature fitted into an air space inside the whirling magnet. Electrical current, transmitted by the engine's generator and magnet attached to the armature of the electrical motor, providing the energy to turn the drive shaft and propel the engine's rear wheels. Speed for the car was controlled by a small lever adjacent to the steering wheel.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owen_Magnetic

Everything old is new again.

[NYC_SKP]

1. Beautiful Car!

Thanks!

[OKIsItJustMe]

2. Lovely, but a relative newcomer

http://www.hybridcars.com/history/100th-anniversary-first-us-hybrid-car-patent-25616.html



http://www.hybrid-vehicle.org/hybrid-vehicle-porsche.html