Let's Talk Cyclecars

I modeled the chain gang assembly, minus the chains, from the pictures posted here. Part of that Richard Scaldwell GN racer CAD model that I started years ago.

Now, I need to finish the lower end of the V8 motor. Anybody have a detail shots of that?

 

Heads, valves and intake but no lower block. Too hard to make out from existing pics. Any shots of one out of the chassis? Thanks.

 

ROLF,
HOW MANY FISH YOU CATCH WITH THAT?

 

THIS ISN'T OURS

BUT THOUGHT SOME HERE MIGHT ENJOY OWNING/DRIVING ONE. THEY ARE SLOW BUT HONESTLY FUN.

https://www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/1368336530.htm?ca=12_s

 

Yrsan in 1926 from Isabelle

 

MY BMW 315 HAS A WINDSCREEN OVER HANG TOP LIKE THAT...

THAT IS ONE SNAKE JUST STANDING THERE.....

 

That is pretty cool. The basic shape reminds me of the Voisin Labratorie racer.


Sent from my iPad using H.A.M.B.

 

________________________________________

Erik,​

Some verision for longer touring and modest comfort?
Without a top and windshield, could be more aerodynamical than Voisin?

Ciao,
Zoran​

 

1927 BNC

 

BNC 2X.

 

Possibly the same Yrsan from post # 10475....also from Isabelle.

 

via marc. ...

 

Nicely drawn.

 

A couple years back, I think that there was mention here on the Banger Forum that the type of front suspension shown in the very well done sketch Bob posted (post #10483) had some high speed handling issues. I used this idea back when I built my trike--and the only problem that I ever had was getting the thing up on two wheels at better than 45° --and saved the day by getting it back down. Not a condition that could be explained as anything less that a loose nut behind the wheel. Does anyone know specifically what the problem is when this arrangement is used on a four wheel car??

Herb

 

ign

Hello, Herb!​

It seems that neither touring Cornelian light car (cyclecar) nor Chevrolet's special based on it - for Indy 1915 didn't have known problems with such suspension... Some other cars used double crosswise leaf-spring as front suspension, too... Cornelian had the same suspension at the rear that maybe help?

Maybe that it had some disadvantages under strong cornering, twisting in something like sign ~ ...
In old days it shouldn't be worse than all other models of the front suspension, but today? Some experts should know that better for high-power, high-speed, sporty cars!

Ciao,
Zoran​

 

P.S.: Some variations on the same theme...
Z.

 

Land Shark! Gary

 

Herb,have a close look on this front suspension
https://www.facebook.com/groups/yachtclubdesavionsdelaroute/photos/

 

AND FOR WINTER USE..........

 

Duncan P. at work on a curtiss V-8... Image by the talented Stefan Marjoram.

 

I think that is the engine from the GN

Skip to 1.30

 

That Curtis engine is water cooled but certainly has the right look. Those engines sound great. Thanks!
Rendered up a block and distributor like the Curtis.

 

Zoran,
Many thanks for the response, and the photos! I notice that the patent drawing has arms, #31 & #32 that might better position the wheel relative to the frame, than just the springs. As for the propeller driven woodpile----That Indian motorcycle engine up on stilts would be good for about 5 minutes, I think, until its vibration reduced the whole front end to splinters. No worry about handling--the driver would have bailed out long before the thing got rolling at any speed. The builder was a little ahead of his time-- another aircraft fitment--the ejection seat, if had been invented, would have been a useful accessory. Off we go, into the wild blue nowhere!!

Herb ;-)

 

ERIK

YOU HAVE NEVER HEARD THIS "RUN" IT'S A 1905 AIRCOOLED CURTIS V-8

THIS ENGINE IS SO SMALL YOU CAN CARRY IT UNDER YOUR ARM

I HAD THIS SEVERAL YEARS AGO ..IT IS NOW IN A MUSEUM.

THERE ARE MAYBE 5 OF THESE ENGINES IN WORLD..... USED BY CURTIS IN HIS PLANE, BLIMP, AND THE MOTORCYCLE.

 

Thanks, Bluto. That really helps! I heard that the GN has a dirigible engine in it but did not know the manufacturer. This certainly looks like it.
I started modeling it just to help understand how it was put together and would like to finish it up. Those details of the lower engine were always hard to see in photos.


Sent from my iPad using H.A.M.B.

 

https://www.thevintagenews.com/2016...re-recycled-reused-for-all-kinds-of-purposes/

 

ERIC

THE TWO ENGINES ARE VERY DIFFERENT.... LOOK CLOSER

WHEN I CALLED THE SMITHSONIAN DIRECTOR WHAT I'D FOUND HE EXPLAINED TO ME "THERE ARE ONLY FOUR OF THOSE!" MY REPLY .... "NOW THERE ARE FIVE!!!' I FEDEX'D THE PHOTOS TO HIM. THEN NEXT MORNING HE CALLED ME BUT WAS STAMMERING BADLY..... IHAD FOUND AN ENGINE LOST FOR 80 YEARS..... LIFE IS GOOD!!

THIS ISN'T THE SAME ENGINE AS THE GN..........

THEY ALSO TELL YOU THE DRY WEIGHT IS 150LBS... I CARRIED IT AROUND THE SHOP. IN MY ARMS......

IT WAS COOL TO HOLD ONE OF THE FIRST ENGINES TO LEAVE THE GROUND

 

Ah yes, you are correct. I found a pic of the Scaldwell GN with the body off and it's identified as a JAP motor. Quite a few similarities on both. I wonder if one was developed after the other. Curtiss being American and JAP being English makes it unlikely that the companies were linked but those were early days of development. Does anyone know the story?


Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Quick check on the net talked about Curtiss helping the British airplane industry with the onset of WWI. Could that be the link?


Sent from my iPad using H.A.M.B.