Let's Talk Cyclecars

1927 Bol D' or from Marc and Isabelle

 

========================

Hello, Desmodromic!
In both approaches you are right!
​

Original cyclecars could be defined as you wrote that.
In the same time, this long thread was started about the building of "modern cyclecar".

Some of the cyclecars, especially before The Great War (The First World War was it - nothing great in it) had modest, even pathetic engines, sometimes two-stroke single cylinder, with unknown but low performances.

However, the good ones had the best and the most powerful motorcycle engines or special engines based on them - from their period.
So, modern DIY cyclecars should have similar engines from modern times!
(not necessary Hayabusa or similar monsters)

Quite daredevil motorized road vehicles on 3 or 4 wheels would they be?
Some projects were shown here, from time to time, but not one finished as I know...
If you finish what you describe, that would be interestign for a lot of us and tribute to the starter of this long thread!

Ciao,
Zoran​

 

That could be a reason to visit Europe

 

From Tumblr

 

Forgot to mention, I also have a Berkeley, 3 cylinders but 4 wheels; I guess that would qualify too.

 

Desmo,
My name is Byers, so yes, I chose the name from the fiberglass body. I might be a distant cousin of Jim Byers who built them, but it'll need more digging to prove (or disprove) it. Geoff Hacker in Tampa (UndiscoveredClassics.com) has begun reproducing the SR 100.
Formula Four is another interest of mine. Despite being started in North America (or so I'm told, the origins are a little murky) they were more popular in the UK. They started out as an allegedly cheap way to go racing, with 250cc motorcycle engines. Pushing the cars, which, although tiny, are heavier than a lightweight motorcycle, is said to have burned up several engines, so they settled on 650cc production motorcycle engines. The 250s disappeared quickly. Another class was added for 875cc production automobile engines. Nearly all were Hillman Imp-based. Again the smaller engined cars disappeared quickly. Over time the rules diverged by country. Canada ran a 750cc F4 series until at least 2017. The UK let in 1000cc car engines around 1970, once again killing the smaller class.
The current FIA international F4 class is no relation.
To actually answer your question, yes I've heard of the Johnny Walker J.W.4. There were at least eight F4 makers in the UK. The J.W.4 was probably the most successful (at least in numbers sold).
Brent
P.S. Pics of your midgets and the Berkeley?

 

Hello,​

The appearance of Austin-7 (specials) and MG M-type replaced sporty cyclecars, as I could see from distance...
There was always competition between owners (not always racing drivers) and general fans of classic sports cars - which one is better? Like duels between Mercer and Stutz fans. My humble opinion is that MG small cars were better, the real small automobile! However, I would prefer Austin-7 special, but wouldn't reject MG!

Here is attached the link for the older film about MG history, long a little but detailed:



Besides small and cute sporty cars, there were in the same period a few bigger, quite successful - commercially and in some kind of competitions (trials, mostly)

Enjoy,
Zoran​

 

From Isetta Club del Uruguay

 

Motoklas, my dad raced austin 7 in the early sixties, the english club was called the " 750 club" , It was a very cheap way to race and there was a lot of good ideas that went on to be racong standards of that time,
It was all down to how much work and ideas you put into it rather than expensive parts buying.

 

The "John Harris" Derbyshire Trial 2019

 

"SALAMANDA" built from Austin Seven stuff by Oliver Way.

 

C.M. pic. ...

 

WOW!!

 

There are few cars that can stand up to a piano accompaniment

 

https://primotipo.com/2019/02/15/gerringong-beach/

 

Uh, I don't think that is a Morgan.

 

Amilcar ?

 

Four-wheel Morgans are one of my many obscure interests. We've seen the RIP:


and Salome:

(Salome's history is detailed @ http://morgan3w.de/photos/album10.htm)

January's issue of The Automobile has a pic of Grannie, a four-wheel Morgan powered by an 1100cc JTOR JAP engine.
Here are a couple of pics:



Any ideas about the rear suspension?

 

It is my understanding that the 4 wheel Mogs used a GN rear axle.

 

Do you know what this one is?

 

Salome appears to, but Granie has smaller hubs. They look like they might be A7 wheels, but I don't see any A7 suspension.

 

No, its a new one to me, but I like it.

 

With A7 diff you would have to use the A7 gearbox too. With GN all you do is add the axle and chain.

 

I remember reading that the homebuilt Formula 500 cars built in Britain just after WWII were built on old A7 chassis and the builders sometimes replaced the ring gear in the diff with a sprocket for chain drive and notched the housing for the chain. Unfortunately, my books are in storage, so I can't quote the source. In any case, Grannie appears to be prewar. Does anyone have a copy of John Bateman's book: The Enthusiast's Guide to Vintage Specials? There is supposed to be a section on Grannie in it. (I want a copy, but the cheapest one I could find was $245!)
Looking at 500Race.org (and I recommend it, there are lots of interesting motorcycle-engined cars in the Marques section), I saw three methods of handling the rear axle when using the A7 chassis. The sprocket replacing the ring gear; attaching the MC engine to the A7 trans (only w/ front engine AFAIK); and using the GN axle. One car, the K.N. Special, used a GN axle, but adapted to A7 wheels. The claimed advantage to doing this was the ability to use the three sizes of A7 wheel to quickly (and cheaply) change final drive ratio.

 

That mini Packard still exists, think there were photos posted 5-6 years ago. Bob