21-1/2 liter (1,300 cu. in) 1909 Blitzen-Benz..... [ame=http://youtu.be/xMa3_tT5mKA]Starting the 1909 Blitzen-Benz, UNEDITED, @ 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance - YouTube[/ame]
I thought he was going to arm-strong that engine. It appears the crank winds a spring. Release & over it turns. Have to love that exposed valve gear. I have started a Mc Cormick Dearing 22/36 tractor with a crank. Damned scary experience.
Nope, I don't think so. What I think he was doing was priming the engine (turning it over to get fresh air-fuel mixture into the cylinders), turning it to just the right position (crank handle upwards while watching the valve gear to see which cylinder is near TDC) and then flicking the advance-retard lever on the steering wheel to and fro once to give a single spark. That spark kicks the engine forwards once and, with luck, that's enough to get over TDC on the other cylinders so they can join in the fun. My dad and his brother between them bought an old, old Rolls Royce before WWII and the piston sealing on that was good enough that the car could be stopped and then restarted some time later using this technique.
That makes sense & is a far bit safer than cranking as they did on many old cars & tractors. To much advance & it would break an arm. That 21/12 liter would tear an arm off.
This car is on Jay Leno's Garage. Very interesting.Jay Leno's Garage - 1909 Blitzen-Benz | Mercedes-Benz