============================================= Fred Lanchester's autos always amused me, not only because of stylish weirdness, but even more by unorthodox approach to technical design and construction: from ch***is, then suspension and steering, to engine and gearbox with transmission. A comfort of driving and road-holding were excellent, with long wheel-base, long leaf-springs, a concentration of m***es near the middle. Fred studied all that a lot and probably was one of the best scientifically educated engineers in auto-industry. Seating position was so, that view was at an average height of standing person and spring oscillation was a combination of human walk and rider of horse - that was said in some books. The extraordinary engine was probably the best dynamically balanced in that period and a long time after that, but too complicated and expensive to be made and for maintenance. It was silent and without any vibrations. Some historians thought that Fred's autos were better than RR even compared in technical quality - but a design wasn't favourable! No long bonnet/hood that would pleased owner's ego, as a symbol of ... Englishmen like dogs and bulldogs especially, but autos with such a nose - not so much! Also, some historians thought that his armoured automobiles made during the Great War were better than opponent's, including RR? Small armoured cars were made through a few decades after the Great War, with good acceptance by officials and troops. Zoran
Now that wants some ****ysis. Other instances of this pic suggest a Polish origin. Here is a bigger version: I wonder what the ch***is is. A lot of the details suggest pre-WWII practice but the background and general feel suggest the era of Soviet influence. Polish seems to be a very impractical language, and not because of the spelling. My Polish friend can't have a conversation with her mother in Polish unless they're at opposite ends of the house. When they're in the same room they switch over to English.
There was a whole series of these. Winfield build I and II; Barris built III. This is II: https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2015/04/17/the-ultimate-bitsas-anycar-i-ii-and-iii/ It's a bit like what I was doing here: (I call it "The Family Car")
I'm not much of an expert on motorcycles, but maybe someone who is can get a clue by identifying the one in the background.
Love this (heavily modified) Citroën, it was Michelin's tire testing vehicle in the early 70's. It had two Chevy 454:s, one for driving the car and one for the tire that was tested (in the middle of the vehicle). It weighed 21.000 lbs and had a top speed of 110 mph.
The Jalopy Journal
