Let's Talk Cyclecars

That's incredible!!!

In September, I was at Angoulême (France) for the event "le circuit des remparts" andand when I leave my hotel on Friday morning I came across this incredible car hurtling down the streets of the historic center of the city.
I was fascinated and searched for 3 days to find this car so I could examine it in detail. In vain...

And here it is, it's fantastic!!!

I will be able to detail it and detail it further and perhaps take modest inspiration for my current 3-wheel project.
I'm happy!!!

Thanks to HAMB and HAMBers for this.

 

Wow! That’s crazy! This thing is what got me inspired to do something…

 

'Austin Seven Wasp with a lawn roller in tow, ca. 1928' - photographer and car's owner George Sampson; State Library of Queensland

 

Jappic from 7:00 & 32:27

 

'Austin 7 outside Old Government House, Brisbane, ca. 1924' - State Library of Queensland

 

Unusual Aussie, the Austin 7 Meteor

 

Now that is really cool!!

 

Short, but good

 

Looks like fun, sort of.

 

That was nice but watching it on youtube the next video was fantastic. It showed the factory team race cars being built. They showed machining the billet crank and assembling the twin cam blown 750 engine that put out 120hp.

 

I agree it may be a Type 30

 

Quite impressive Fred. I wonder what the crank shaft was made of, steel or cast iron.

 

I would bet on steel. Why machine iron? Just cast it in shape.

 

It machined like steel, just asking.

 

For sale in New Zealand this week. Jawa Velorex 350

 

Someone drove one of those Cloth-mobiles across the US a few years ago.

 

I know of one in a shed in a junkyard where I live, the car is 99% complete, guy doesn't want to sell, he restores micro cars from time to time. I already bought 2 cars from the guy, hopping that someday I get my hands on his brother '32 Ford cabriolet.

 

Scalloped cowl makes it one of the very first Sevens, iirc.

 

1934 Australian Model Y. State Library of Queensland; photo by Arthur McLeod; 'Mr Grant's car'

 

Is that Australian factory coachwork? or by a coachbuilder contracted to Ford? or an independent local coachbuilder?

Are you familiar with this thread? https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/coachbuilt-early-fords.569617/

 

I just read a book about S.A. Cheney from Australia. He created the car industry there. Because of Aussie law cars had to be built in country starting about 1916. He was able to import running chassis from the US and had to have them bodied there in order to sell them. He talked the Holden family which built horse carriages to build him bodies at a reasonable price. He had no money invested in them, just wanted a good body so he could sell cars. The rest is history until the Aussie Gov't forced them to quit building cars a few years ago. Maybe some of the Aussies can elaborate? BTW, his first imported car was a 1915 Dodge Brothers. A friend of mine owns this very car.

 

I am pretty sure that the Model Y roadster pictured above was built by Ford. I only found that rare photo yesterday. My guess is that 'Mr Grant' had just purchased it; it looks pristine. Not sure if I have seen the coachbuilt-early-fords thread (just glanced at page 1) but will have a close look at it; thanks.

 

The Aussie Gov't didn't exactly force Holden (GM) and Ford to stop building cars in Australia. What they did do was to stop propping them up with financial support, which lead to both companies deciding to close down their manufacturing facilities.

 

When Morgan tried to sell the 2012 5 speed 3 wheeler there they went through hell to do it. T?hey had to send a car there and have it crash tested and do many modifications to meet the Aussie standards.

 

But that's it entirely. It's a regulatory environment which effectively enforces a technological paradigm which presupposes production volumes far in excess of extant demand, however long engineered. It is maintained internationally despite the ensuing ecological disaster, but in smaller, peripheral markets it can't be pulled off without specific state help.

 

Thank you, ​

For wonderful film with scenes from magnificent early automobile racing days!
Excellent photos and short films, combined with copies of interesting newspapers and magazines, dedicated to automobiles, especially racing! Really daredevil drivers and brave mechanics, riding with them... People well-dressed, beautiful small towns and countryside! Gendarmes elegant with dignity?
Enjoyment to watch half-an-hour.

Regards, Zoran​

P.S.: With the first competition and races start cheating - win at any cost... t the turn of the century it was well-developed in horse races, bicycles races, athletic competition and even on the first Olympiad Games..

 

https://www.prewarcar.com/569569-ford-eifel-roadster-hebmuller-convertible-bodywork

 

Not sure if this counts but someone gave me a 1933 Raleigh LDV (light delivery vehicle) type 3. I am planning to make a light truck version, like John Deere gator. Motorcycle engine, 3 speed gearbox with reverse and a kick starter.

 

It certainly does count. What a fun build. Please post hee as you move along.