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百年前的悬架狂想：这款八轮汽车曾轰动印地500大赛
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Car suspension (悬架) has not always been as efficient as it is today. Although modern roads may still feel far from perfect, they were in far worse condition during the early 1900s. Yet even in that era, engineers and inventors came up with creative and unusual ideas to improve passenger comfort. Among these strange yet fascinating inventions was the eight-wheel Reeves Overland Octoauto.
Designed by American inventor Milton Reeves in 1911, the Octoauto was created to solve a critical problem of the age: uncomfortable rides. Early cars provided an extremely bumpy (颠簸的) experience, and their weak suspension systems also caused rapid and excessive tire wear. Seeking inspiration from railway design, Reeves wondered if adding more wheels to a car could achieve the same smoothness as train carriages, which used multiple bogies (转向架) to spread weight and reduce vibration.
Its most distinctive feature was the four-axle (轮轴), eight-wheel structure. The front end had two steerable axles, while the rear contained another two, with only the first rear axle providing power. Reeves believed that more even weight distribution would lower stress on wheels and suspension, delivering a smoother ride and slower tire damage. Advertisements proudly described it as “the smoothest-riding car in the world.”
The car made its first public appearance at the 1922 Indianapolis 500, creating an immediate sensation and attracting nearly as much attention as the racing vehicles. However, public interest did not lead to actual sales. Priced at $3,200 — roughly equivalent to four Ford Model Ts or two Cadillac Model 30s — it was far too expensive. Its complex multi-axle design also resulted in poor handling. Although Reeves later introduced the six-wheel Sextoauto to fix these issues, consumers preferred more affordable alternatives.
