Let's Talk Cyclecars

1901 Perfecta quadricycle

 

Thanks for the replys---I appreciate it!! Last year I bought a retired 500c.c, mini sprint---complete, minus engine trans. The tail section is a classic midget race car design, unchanged since the the 40's. The nose is a modern style "high hump" style seen on current midget and sprint cars. The frame is a full cage, multi-tube design, obviously professional built. Don't know what I want to do with it, or exactly how to do it if I did. I'm to old to race it, besides the latest style of chassis is more advanced (steering, suspension arms, torsion bars etc.). I guess I'd like to make it into "poser" that LOOKS like a 50's era midget, only with a motor cycle side winder style drive train. Any body seen any thing like that? Banjauex Bob, I think you have a picture of just about EVERY cyclecar ever made. I've only seen mini sprints in from the last 6 or 7 years, do early ones have the lower hood and early style nose. Well, no matter what, I'm really impressed with the very old and established cycle car concept, it sure brings out the what if I........ in you. Bill Rinaldi

 

All these wee cars photographed in competition mode remind me of the Ralph Watson BSA.
Built around 1950 from a BSA V twin car as a fun sports car for both road use and competition, the car proved hugely successful.
This car did thousands of miles on the road, as well as many hill climbs and race meets.
Ralph later developed the car even further, building his own rotary valve cylinder heads.
Ralph later built another sports car for road and race use using a flat four Lycoming aircraft engine - incredible to watch and listen to. Both cars still exist in good hands, and regularly come out for Vintage racing.
There is much information about Ralph and his cars on the 'web' - too much to include here.
look for "Ralph Watson Special Engineer"

 

All these wee cars photographed in competition mode remind me of the Ralph Watson BSA.
Built around 1950 from a BSA V twin car as a fun sports car for both road use and competition, the car proved hugely successful. View attachment 3299280
This car did thousands of miles on the road, as well as many hill climbs and race meets.
Ralph later developed the car even further, building his own rotary valve cylinder heads.
Ralph later built another sports car for road and race use using a flat four Lycoming aircraft engine - incredible to watch and listen to. Both cars still exist in good hands, and regularly come out for Vintage racing.
There is much information about Ralph and his cars on the 'web' - too much to include here.
look for "Ralph Watson Special Engineer"

 

Bill,lot's of possibilites for you.photos #1 & 2 & 3 disregard the engine hanging off of the side.#4 is a Derby.really simple but I think it looks cool.

 

GN from G.C.L. ...

 

Bill,
while most of the mini sprint variations are chain driven the Legend cars (and the roadster derivations) all have the engine turned 90 degrees and use a driveshaft and a conventional r & p rear end (Toyota based, at least in the early versions).

Roo

 

Roo, I'm familiar with your nice photo work from the picture reports you've done on rods in Jokerr's shop. I'm sure Joe is familiar with just about ALL versions of open wheel racing. Do you have any idea where I can get information and specs on mimi sprints? I sure did not know that legend cars are not side winders, I'd like to know more on the set up to go from chain drive to a Toyota axle. Thanks for the pix Banjeaux Bob. Lots to look at. Bill Rinaldi

 

From justacarguy

 

http://www.prewarcar.com/index.php?option=com_caradvert&view=ad&section_id=1&id=203563&Itemid=432

 

A more modern version.

 

Neat stuff on that site about Ralph Watson. Had never heard of him or seen that car. It certainly has some interesting and unique lines. Thanks!

Don't know if we've discussed this one, but my Dad sent me an email the other day about Elvis's 507 which was recently found and or restored and it's limited production due to BMW's financial trouble during that time and it reminded me about the 700RS program and what a neat looking and successful car it was. Here's a great article about it:
http://www.stanceworks.com/2014/08/the-collector-part-ii-the-1960-bmw-700rs-chassis-1-of-2/

 

Hello AHR,
Thank you on interesting web-site!​

No question that you like BMW boxers - you are building cute special using such engine...

When I was young, in Belgrade were a few BMW 700 small automobiles, in "limousine" or coupe form - probably the best looking small auto! As I remember, they were quite expensive, almost twice the price of similar small autos. I had a good friend Boban who raced one coupé, slightly modified – in a class of 850 cc! Engine was from 700 Sport with power raised from 40 HP to 50-55 HP... He always managed to be at 3rd - 5th place at the end of races, always finished all of them. A few FIAT Abarth 850 RS were in front of him and some dozen of the same autos behind him. His was registered and used as daily transport too. As he said to me: it was of excellent quality, perfect road-holding without too much modifications and reasonably comfortable... Later he bought excellent engine, racing version prepared in Austria (around 80 HP) and used in Slovenia before some guys crashed the car. Out of season (a few Summer months) he re-install old engine and use it in the city... As excellent driver and mechanic, my brother had good luck to covered some thousands of kilometres in that auto, as co-driver...

Ciao,
Zoran​

 

===========================
Bill,

As you will not race your mini-midget auto, or put it in museum - then you could do with it whatever you want and know to do! Probably that modern 250 cc engine would be enough for playing around and there are some nice-looking Chinese V-twin in that category, complete with gearbox and chain drive.... Would look quite nice on a side of your car...


I suppose that members would be very interested to see some photos of your micro-midget. Then, maybe you got some better suggestion what to do with it.
All the best with your project!

Zoran

 

The 507 nearly finished the company off.

 

The brackets on the side are for skis...

 

Richard Bolster driving the Bolster Special at Shlesley Walsh ,1936. Image via Simon Lewis

 

From: theoldmotor.com

 

T

This is a fabulous image! - shame its not clearer.

 

Amilcar skiff at the Louwman ( http://www.louwmanmuseum.nl/ ) being inspected by Rosemarijn.

 

More images of this Amilcar found here ....http://www.lutziger-classiccars.ch/amilcar-C6-1927-Dunkelblau_r3jJEyBbXnvYjUSnA4PqhQ.aspx

 

Wow, be still my heart this is the best one yet! Black on black spokes with that hard tonneau and swoopy exhaust. Not one bad angle on that car IMO. Definitely saving the images for inspiration for when it comes time to shape a body for the AR.

 

I share those exact sentiments.

 

Amilcar-Riley on offer at Tom Hardman Cars (http://www.tomhardman.co.uk/index.php )