Let's Talk Cyclecars

I regard the automobile as having become extinct around 1990.

 

I heard that no US manufacturer is building a gas powered sedan anymore.

 

That MAY change in Jan.

 

similar to RUMPLER....

 

The corporate agenda drives the politics, not the other way round. Our kind of cars are dead because they aren't what the industry wants made. They are a threat to the desired radical monopoly.

 

That was an interesting read. It has long been recognized that Detroit sells us what it wants to make not what we want to buy. The import market made that point quite clear.

 

Caption: The starting line at the Grand Prix de L'ACF des Cyclecars, Amiens, France, 1913. In car number 25 is J Ronteix, in car number 26 is Jolibois, and in car number 27 Francis. Ronteix finished third, Jolibois seventh, Francis did not finish.

 

https://www.svvs.org/Morgan GP.shtml

 

The Violet-Bogey driven at Le Mans 1913 (Grand Prix de l'UMF. des Cyclecars) by Marcel Violet, who finished second.

 

1913 Violet-Bogey

 

1913, July 13, Amiens, sidecar and cyclecar grand prix, Pouliez on Violet-Bogey, Canoriel on Sphinx-Globe

 

Violet-Bogey gear change: the friction roller G is applied against the plate P driven by the motor. G moves laterally on the ribbed axis A under the action of the triangulation N maneuvered by the pilot using the lever L. The neutral point is obtained when the roller G is in the middle of the axis A, aligned with the center of the plate P. The greatest speed is obtained when G is at the edge of the plate, as for example in the photo. Sliding to the left beyond the center of the board is in reverse. At the left end of the A axle is the sprocket that drives the C chain to the rear sprocket attached to the wheel axle (no differential).

 

Very interesting concept.

 

My neighbor had a snapper lawn tractor with that type of arrangement. The flywheel was rubber coated.

 

styled somewhat similar to Jay Leno's Shotwell. Imagine it being powered by a gas engine instead of an electric motor.

 

Most commonly associated with the British GWK light car:

 

At least try to get the proportions close!! View attachment 6039447

I've had a couple of Snapper lawn tractors but they both had plane flywheels and rubber coated driven wheels.

 

Proper gearbox!

 

Maybe it was the other way around like that. Been over 20 years! It worked. Infinitely variable drive and pretty simple.

 

I have always built odd cars.

This time around I'm building a Mini Gasser using a 37 Ford Legends car and will use a St or CTX1300 engine.

 

That will be cool. I always liked the gassers and especially the Altered class. It was so crazy watching them go all over the track. They looked like a GN racing.

 

"Rocket car", Johnstown, USA.

 

'Single seat Austin racing of David Parry, registration no. 131-901' - Sam Hood Collection, Mitchell Library/State Library of New South Wales

 

Just in case you didn't see this go here and look. They picked out cycle cars for this photo shoot.
https://www.prewarcar.com/a-fine-vintage-centenary-year-sees-montlhery-at-its-very-best

 

Magnifying the original SLNSW first image, I think it says 'Humber' on the radiator surround. 'Vintage Car Club ... Centennial Park (?) ... ca. 1953' photos by Max Dupain; Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

 

Just came across this on FB. Wonder if any have been fitted to cycle cars over the years. Orig design goes back to the 30s.