WhoFish - Local Events and Activities

Title:	Air-Cooled, Keep It Simple
Date:	3/22/2025 - 7/13/2025
Address:	Audrain Automobile Museum, 222 Bellevue Ave., Newport, RI 02840
Location:	Newport, RI
Hours:	10:00am - 4:00pm
Cost/Cover:	free - $18
Web Page:	https://www.audrainautomuseum.org/future-exhibitions
Contact Info:	(401) 856-4420

Details:

The air-cooled combustion engine has a rich history dating back to the early 20th century. Initially, liquid-cooled engines were the norm, but air-cooled designs gained popularity due to their simplicity and reliability. The first successful air-cooled engine was developed by German engineer Karl Benz in the late 1800s, and it was further refined through the 1920s and 1930s. Notably, the Volkswagen Beetle, introduced in 1938, featured an air-cooled engine, contributing to its widespread success. These engines were favored in motorcycles, small vehicles, and aircraft due to their lighter weight and reduced maintenance needs, though liquid cooling eventually became dominant in larger applications. Highlights on view from the Audrain Collections and few local lenders will include a 1903 Cameron 4-cylinder, made in Rhode Island, 1923 Franklin Series 10, 1950 Tatra rear-engine V8, 1947 Volkswagen Beetle, 1958 Porsche Diesel Junior 108K tractor, 1959 Autobianchi Bianchina Trasfromabile, 1961 Chevrolet Corvair Lakewood 700, 1964 Volkswagen 21-window Samba Bus, 1970 Porsche 914-6 Targa, 1924 Harley-Davidson, 1936 Indian 436 Upside Down Four, and 1938 Brough Superior SS80 with side car, among others.