Let's Talk Cyclecars

This little critter of a car sure brings a smile to my face. Where can I go to learn more about them? Gary

 

Thanx Bob. Whenever I see interesting old cars like these I get a lot from their basic designs, stuff to "liberate" if and when I get a chance to build another car. No rush, but thanx for looking. Gary

 

that is not the car i remember but it is the same guy.

i bet those things are fun to drive

 

Apparently the car was repainted silver at some stage.

Earlier Saunders had built a heavily chopped and sectioned purple Mini.

 

the mini is the one i remember. i have a magazine with a write up, somewhere.

 

The link given for Marc Hendrix doesn't work. Maybe this is the one that was meant:
http://lecyclecaristebelge.nuxit.net/cyclecar07/index.htm

 

Or the homepage: http://lecyclecaristebelge.nuxit.net/

 

.

 

Bob,

yes it's a GN ............Martyr Instone, both shots at Shelsley



Keith

 

It's strange how we don't normally think of the Bugatti T13/T23 as cyclecars, though the short-wheelbase 'Brescia' and replicas certainly have that sort of scale. French cyclecars grew up during the '20s: eventually they were much more miniature 'proper' cars - and often definitely better made - than even such things as Austin 7s. GN underwent a very graphic change to re-emerge, for all intents and purposes, as Frazer-Nash, but the metamorphosis of Salmson, for instance, was quite seamless. When the world had rubbed out its eyes Salmson had nothing 'cycle' about them.

 

Great stuff, Bob.

 

Where might one go to see things like these en masse? A Concours d'Elegance?

 

Friends and I have gone to Retromobile every year for the last 15 years but it's not the show it was - these days we just go for a jollyboys outing in Paris. TechnoClassica gets better every year and is HUGE. The only downside is that it's in Essen. Prior to the RAF and the American Airforce paying it a great deal of attenion in WW2 it was a charming medieval walled town - now it's just a 1960's style new town with little to see or do and no decent bars or restaurants.

 

Retromobile was sold onto new operators about two years ago and they paid a lot of money for it - this is now reflected in the way the show is run. It is now just over a long weekend rather than two weeks. Also a lot more current manufacturers stands and traders in stuff that's not really related to the cars.

Three years ago they had an area with just cyclecars in and there was some amazing stuff - a group of Voisin cyclecars and some other exotica. I'm on holiday in Devon just now but will post when I get back.

Essen is a completely different kettle of fish - seems to be run more for enthusiasts. It is also 10 times the size of Retromobile. Plenty of cycle cars - plenty of any sort of cars!! I saw a working replica of Richard Trevithick's steam coach of 1801 last time I went.

I only go for the cars - but when you get a group of blokes together it doesn't hurt to have a few good bars and restaurants close to hand.....

I've not been to Prescott or Shelsley for many years - but when I finish the Modified I'm hoping to hill climb it. More interesting than drag racing (to me) and easier to get involved in than most other sorts of motor sport. Was hoping it would be finished by now but I got really ill last October and wasn't fit to do anything until May.

I did go to the Circuit de Ramparts in Angouleme a couple of weeks ago - I have some Morgan and GN photos from that I can post later.

 

A few of the photos I've collected over the years. Unfortunately I haven't gotten into the habit of taking notes when I take photos, so I don't have any information about the vehicles. The first two use the Briggs & Stratton Motor Wheel.

 

Not a car, but an interesting use of a Briggs & Stratton Motor Wheel.

 

BSA powered midget style racer.

 

This was at Davenport this year. Powered by a Harley 45 flathead.

 

A few more seen at Davenport in past years.

 

This was in the booth belonging to Mike Wolfe of "American Pickers" at Davenport this year. Supposed to have been built in the 40's.

 

That's cool! I could see a hot rodded version of that being fun .....and dangerous as hell.

 

Flipper, not sure of what the motor is from, but this might be more to your liking.

 

Nah, the other one has the "going head first with your face just inches off the ground/angry motor between your legs" danger factor that would make things infinetly more exciting when hauling ass!

 

Great thread...I've been looking for a hyabusa engine/trans for my little '57 Lloyd car. Originally a front-drive car with a 76 inch wheelbase, it suppose it weighs in at 850-1000 lbs now [no motor/trans] but the heavy front drive stuff and heavy rear axle can go away for lighter parts..
I'd love to make it rear drive with a 250-300 HP turbo hyabusa/5 or 6 speed...ye-haw!

 

This isn't the one about which there is a thread, "Totally insane race car....and you would have to be mad to drive it too":

It is similar in character, though. I think I prefer this one, however; it has more of an early-Vintage than a late-Edwardian feel.

 

Now that's an action photo! The proverbial eat my dust shot, in a fancy-pants setting with back lighting. If the cars had been old Fords, this shot would make the final cut for the calendar! Into the desktop photo file, fer sure. Gary

 

Ned - was this photo taken in Angouleme a few weeks ago??

 

I don't know - it's from Banjeaux Bob's post on the last page.

 

someone nailed that shot!

 

Coopers