Let's Talk Cyclecars

Auction results coupled with nice pics.
http://lautomobileancienne.com/resultat-vente-artcurial-collection-roger-baillon/
Wonder how the dealer prices will adapt after this historic sale. Hope it will not spoil our hobby. I like to get my hands dirty on old iron and greasy mechanics, but do not know if I can still afford it.

 

... something more about Topolino/Simca specials. On attached photos is chassis of Simca 5 Berlinette Le Mans with engine from FIAT 600 D, 767 cc and 25 HP! As blog is on French, I couldn't understnad if that was original configuration or modern reconstruction? The same question is about meny mentioned Italian small specilas from fifites that have FIAT 600 d engines! Some had around 40 HP developed from such engines. Web-link:
http://autoreve.auto-blog.fr/59038/SIMCA-5-Berlinette-Le-Mans-Chassis-arriere/

... and, video-link:


Note that engine is moved behind front suspension frame: original or modern modification?
Zoran

 

I wonder also if the coilover shocks are retrofitted to supplement the transverse leaf spring/ upper control arm?

 

That Simca5 is a recent build, kind of hot rodish without telling it as to not hurt the vintage car guys, the body is chopped, I think I have pictures of it from some show from a couple years ago.
At our shop we have a Simca 5 for sale and a simca 5 collector came and wanted only to see what was under the hood especially intake and oiling, apparently there were some perf parts for those cars at the time, ours had none.
Here's today batch from a local junk yard who's owner collects microcars:
Velorex




Vespa 400


Messerschmitt 2 of them


and an Atlas

he has others at an other location.

 

... it is a little strange modification, indeed?​

As there is still transverse leaf-spring - why to add coil spings (over hydraulic shocks)? Leaf spring should be enough for such light auto, but maybe he wanted something stiffer suspension?
Anyway, he replaced old-style piston-type shocks with modern telescopic-type - and keep coil over (for style or stiffness)...

Zoran
​

 

Chris,​

It looks to me as well done reconstruction - I would like to have such good auto for cruising around...
However, there are too much modifications! Chassis is longer, the same as bonnet/hood part of body? If he started from some junk-yard "basket-case", then I would accept any kind of modifications, just to stay in the same style and spirit, keeping one more oldtimer on the road.
Anyway, that was his auto and he could do whatever he want to do with it?

Zoran​

P.S.: It seems to me that all SIMCA-5 had quarter-eliptic rear leaf-springs, the same as the first Topolino models?

 

The finished car doesn't have the coils, just the tube shocks.
I have no clue about the rear springs on the 5

 

Gentlemen , I'm still around but don't get to drop in here as much as I should , but the Jappic recreation is progressing well , the big news , is after a long wait I hope to get the engine this week , so that should spur me on to get going on the huge amount of little jobs that need doing , why is it the last 10% of a project takes 25% of the time

But here is a link to some recent detail pics of the build

https://flickr.com/photos/55288722@N00/sets/72157649331368818

Regards Ade


Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

I really love this project and it is coming along nicely. Keep it up Ade.

 

All of those little things take forever. It has always seemed to me that the last 10% takes 75% of the time.

 

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... and sometimes quite infinitive time!
Not to mention costs - they go by hyperbolic path up!
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Ade,​

You build wonderful masterpiece, great proof that cycle-cars can be magnificent! I am delighted by patina that you gave to many parts and components - much better than so-called "conquers d' elegance" style (mostly over-styled and over-chromed). What you would do if your Jappic become better than original with performances and style?
I am sure that a lot of members here follow your project with joy and happiness... Of course, many of us would like to build on cycle-car by ourselves, but simpler of course! As I know, some are building them now?

Regards,
Zoran​

 

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Chris,
I think that all Simca-5 had so-called quarter-elliptic leaf-springs, the same as the first series of Topolino Model-A. That means that half of the leaf spring goes from chassis back up to rear axle and there is cut. Something that had Peugeot quadricycle and Citroen 5CV ...
Some photos are attached as illustration (mentioned LeMans Berlinetta)
Zoran

 

... later production of Topolino Model-A, B and C had half-elliptic leaf-springs with rear axle at the middle of leaf bow. Something heavier (more expensive too), but better keeps axle at place if there are not additional rods.
Some photos are attached as illustration.

Zoran​

 

Of interest to many of you I'm sure, I recorded an episode of the BBC program Father Brown on PBS last night because there was mention of a hill climb in show's description. Low and behold the first 15 minutes is filled with vintage racers, though I didn't see any cycle cars. It was shot on location at a hill climb venue I recognized from many photos and videos posted here, but can't remember the name at this moment. If you haven't seen it, it's well worth your while, silly plot aside. You can find the air dates by going to www.PBS.org Later, Gary

Father Brown: The Laws of Motion
Father Brown's investigation into the death of a driver at a local hill climb track upsets Sullivan, who wants the padre's meddling to end.

 

Hello and thank yuo on input,
but I couldn't find epizode using your web-link...
However, I found that episode here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03q5vlj

I couldn't watch it: there is blockade for anybody from out of the UK!
Explanation:
"The BBC uses Geo-IP technology to identify where you are, based on the location of your internet service provider (ISP). This is to ensure that only people in the UK can enjoy programmes on BBC iPlayer"
Zoran

 

I saw a post online that said the Father Brown episode was shot at Shelsley Walsh. I didn't see enough of the site to be able to confirm it.

 

Re that Father Brown episode, most of the cars are here - http://www.imcdb.org/movie_2215842-Father-Brown.html

 

I have whiled away too many hours watching youtube vids of the Retro Grand Prix events held in du Puy Notre Dame France.

Loads of wheel to wheel vintage cyclecar action. There are quite a few videos; I pick the ones with the longest run times.

 

Does this count as a cycle car ? I like it anyway! Just imagine people's faces when you cross them on your way.

 

Wow !Took a look at your photos,Very nice.Love your albums,your take on Drillium is over the top.Thanks for the link,keep up the great work.

 

Talgil,​

No mater how that "unidentified riding object" could be classified - it is magnificent: for desing, construction and joy of owner/driver!
Anyway, it could be accepted as the first hybrid cycle-car: human-power and engine-power (steam!)...

Ciao,
Zoran​

 

That has to be added to my "need to build one" list! Too fricking cool!

 

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Hey Dodge,
Do you really NEED that or just WANT ? But for us, in both cases it is the same as MUST ?
Just take care that "freeking cool" could become "inferno hot" with all that steam behind your beack!
Enjoy,
Zoran

 

Hello, ​

Just one short, this time personal, story about FIAT 500 Topolino... As I mentioned before, with my modest help (saved pocket money), my brother bought FIAT 500 c Topolino Belvedere – just to have “wheels” for graduation year in Belgrade's Secondary Mechanical-technical School. That was in 1967/68... Our father didn't want to give him our FIAT 600 d – professor could be jealous, minority had any auto at all! So, we repair it and he often went to school driving that car – not usual in those times at all. Just one more student between hundreds of them, practiced that, driving his father's FIAT 1300 – making jealous warden of school. Then he crashed one day in the centre of Belgrade – into city bus (brakes failed). So, I suggested to him that we could make something special of it, with new body and more powerful engine and so on... We didn't know for hot-rods, street-rods, customs – but, something like that in mini-scale... he wasn't interested- rushing to repair ti for the end of school and graduation! So, he did it in great scale, in spite that auto was old and small, but was his – painted in nice red-black combination after repair. Later, we couldn't registered it again and it finished with some gypsies and probably on junk-yard...

Many year later, my paths were crossed with another Topolino! This time with one reconstructed by my great friend Maslacak, both were members of Serbian Society of Motoring Historians... He found and later got or bought ruined and abounded Topolino Model-C, up to half in mud. I saw it a few times from the bus, laying in mud beside periphery road – and later reconstructed. He spent a few years a lot of work and money, with a lot of help from friends from back-yard garages and machine-shops. He didn't managed to finish everything inside, but was present at few old-timers-shows. As he became seriously ill and money-less (that often goes together), he gave Topolino to Belgrade Automobile Museum, where it is still... Photos are attached.

When he recovered (for short time), we made plans to build some special on Topolino basis, in a style of small Bugatti T-68, that Ettore designed and built in Paris during occupation of France. Topolino chassis would be wonderful for that goal – and, I had one! He had all literature, experience, a lot of components and parts, some helpful friends - and I had big back-yard for work... Unfortunately, his illness returned and he died. Everything that he collect – simply disappeared after his death. So, I stay with chassis and good engine and gear-box, that collected in meantime, and with a few friends that could help to build one modest special... Replica of Bugatti T-68 was put on a side, without my friend I didn't have anymore power to do that. Then, I moved here to Swiss and forgot on such plans... Everything that I had, maybe is still in my old back-yard. Maybe waiting for next time...

Ciao,
Zoran​

 

My modified project is certainly not a cycle car, but is inspired by GN, FN, HRG, and Harry Miller. Note the eight spring suspension.

 

Charles,​

Making replica of cycle-car is quite rare opportunity to follow!
Ade's Jappic is above anything I saw, the same as Graftom and Charter-Lea as recreations of originals...
I am sure that most of us will be glad to follow your excellent work on personal inspiration of more "serious" automobiles than cyclecars are!
Please, keep us inform!

Ciao,
Zoran​

 

What engine are you using?

 

Zoran, Your short story is very informative and a pleasure to read, some interesting history.

 

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Thank you, Brown!​

It was more MYstory than HIstory, but could show some passed times in one now forgotten country... To have own cars in late sixties was quite extraordinary things in former Yugoslavia, even in city of Belgrade... No mater that our “wheels” were old and small... We didn't need money for gasoline, always were a few fellows who would invest their pocket-money for cruising around...

Zoran​