Let's Talk Cyclecars

As previously said, being a "damn fool" and wanting to build a Morgan "replica". This is the kind of Morgan I'd like to build.

 

An update to my driveshaft dilema:
I decided it was time to get my hands on a middle gear box from a Yamaha 4-Wheel ATV. An easy decision after winning one for $9.99 on Ebay. Have to say, I'm quite impressed with its robust design. I quickly got to chopping off the un-needed portion of the lower shaft that would have engaged the ATV transmission and got about fitting the unit to the frame in a location that allows the X-member to double as a driveshaft safety hoop -keeping the rear driveshaft low beneath the floor. Mounting brackets will be fabbed from aluminum angle stock. Getting the bottom end of the gearbox into position requires that it be angled and dropped into place. So the brackets will top mount the gearbox to the frame with rubber or poly isolators.

 

Smith Flyer

 

Wouldn't this Crosley Aerojet engine with Pepco supercharger make a great cyclecar engine?

 

Lombard

 

Same Lombard as in post # 4179. Car racing in Rome,shown at Littorio Airport, 1931.

 

You'd need to fit a bigger propeller.

 

Good one,Stefan!

 

Can anyone help me source an Austin 7 frame like Airhead's?........

 

Try the ads at www.PreWarCar.com and Hemmings.

 

The Lombard Register web site is well worth a look.

 

His is an Austin 10, not a Seven. There is a lot of that sort of thing floating around.

 

Not in the United States.

 

Ahh, I am learning about that non-US thingy...

Not being informed about what I am looking at, I guess I should say:

Any frame of similar size & vintage, which could be acceptable to a DMW office, and around which a homebuilt could be based.

I feel myself drawn to collecting pieces out of which to build something.
I can fabricate pretty much whatever, but I'd want to be able to register it.
Some states (like mine, California) can be pretty cranky about bequeathing tags on retro cars not based on some kind of period chassis.

 

Hardhatz- You are most certainly correct about needing something that can be easily registered. I used to live in California so I know of what you speak. I have wanted to build something like this for some time now, but was waiting for the right foundation to come along. Fortunately the Austin I purchased was previously registered in Hawaii and the owner was thoughtful enough to put the plates in storage so that the fees would be suspended. Hawaii has annual safety checks, so before purchasing I checked with the shop I use for my inspections and ran the project by them to make sure they would be on board. I also checked with the DMV. Once I got the all clear, I made the purchase and started the build.

I will keep my eyes and ears open for you as I am still in contact with many friends in CA. Before I found the Austin I had considered using a VW for ease of registration -a popular platform for replica and kit cars. I have some pictures of some neat VW based specials I could email you. While not exactly period correct, it would get you on the road without complication.

 

The Austin 7 chassis is a great platform for a special.

 

Salmson and Lombard

 

Peugeot race car about 1910.

 

Is there a resource for this chassis?

 

might be worth looking at a Bantam in the US, Datsun in Japan or Dixi in Germany then.

 

As may be seen the design is extremely simple. I've long thought it'd be a good idea if someone were to measure it up and make the resulting electronic documentation available online - something like the Wescotts Ford frame drawings, but in more detail and with an eye to replication.

That won't help cases where a title is needed to get the final product legally on the road. I know that the predominance of that characteristically British vermin, the Tin Worm, has led to a legislative tradition wherein replacing a car's main structure with new is a perfectly acceptable thing to do. Perhaps there are opportunities in re-chassising barely-existent Sevens and selling the results as "restoration projects".

On reflection perhaps revolution would be easier .

 

A good book about building Austin seven specials is design for competition by the 750 motor club ,

http://www.oxfam.org.uk/shop/books/...ion-a-750-motor-club-publication-hd_100049475

The basic rules for 750 mc club were you have to keep the basic engine and the chassis rails then it's up to you mostly some of the great f1 designers and teams started here
These little cars are still raced today by vscc and 750 mc

 

Here are a pile of images from the Vintage Sports - Car Club (

www.vscc.co.uk ) by Mark Ballard of their Cadwell Park meet 2013.

 

More VSCC by Mark Ballard and Mick Herring. The dark GN( #1) is named "Parker". The light GN with the pot on the hood(bonnet) is named "PIGLET" (

www.longstonetyres.co.uk ).

 

2013 Cadwell VSCC meet.Images by Mark Ballard and Mick Herring.

 

Boy, Bob--they are super racing shots.

Love the one of the Mog cornering, with the female ballast leaning the wrong way.

Herb

 

Herb,I love the look in their faces too.There is another one,but the face isn't as visible.

 

Amilcar

 

Interesting...