Let's Talk Cyclecars

“The Molnenaar Special" was hand built by the late Harry Molenaar. Harry was the Harley-Davidson dealer in Hammond, Indiana. Harry was a flat track racer and also owned the Illia-Ana speedway; a race track on the Indiana, Illinois line. This midget car is powered by a 750 cc Harley-Davidson XA military shaft drive engine. The car has great style and is in original as raced condition.

 

Wow, that's a new one on me. Never heard of that engine.

 

Wouldn't watching a race with cars of that era be FUN?

Ben

 

'Two-seater Austin 7 with locally built roadster body, ca. 1929' - sold by Canada Cycle and Motor Agency Ltd. in Brisbane; State Library of Queensland (must be a completed example of the timber-framed cars I posted recently)

 

https://online.doningtonauctions.com.au/m/lot-details/index/catalog/173/lot/47583/1925-Amilcar-Type-G-Sports-lsquo-special-rsquo-Australian-delivered-French-rarity?url=/m/view-auctions/catalog/id/173?page=2 Sold for AU$26,000, August 2024 (I don't have a clue on what this would be worth, but that sale price seems like good value for the buyer, surely.)

 

AU1000 = $625.00. So that was a really good buy.

 

Sold February 2024 for AU$8,500.00; the buyer must have been very pleased. https://online.doningtonauctions.co...-De-Luxe-3-wheeler-NO-RESERVE-Location-Sydney

 

Very nice buy. Cars in Oz are somewhat in an exclusive market. The cost of getting them to any other location is horribly expensive. That keeps prices low, I suppose.

 

Another image of the Molenaar Special popped today. Goes along with post # 13623

 

That is SO cool

 

Peter Sellers

 

The Party was the movie name. Only 2 shots of the car in it. Not his best movie.

 

Though it has a cult following. It's one of those movies some people have a tradition of watching annually.

 

Riley (Collection of negatives and photographs from car races around Victoria) photo by Edward Trevithic; State Library of Victoria

 

Little Willys 77 phaeton there, in the middle just above the front wheel. These were quite common in Australia at the time. '34 Ford coupe to the left.

 

Good eye!

 

Phillip Island photo by Edward Trevithic; State Library of Victoria (edit; car on left at front is a Singer - from what I see on the 'primotipo' website)

 

Phillip Island photo by Edward Trevithic; State Library of Victoria

 

What a cool car. One of those was for sale on Pre-War Cars recently. Not many 6 cylinder MGs left now.

 

Riley, Phillip Island - probably before the start. Hudson Terraplane behind. Second photo shows the same two cars, with 'dark-helmet' driving the Riley; sign post reads 'COWES', the main inhabited area on the island. Edward Trevithic pics, State Library of Victoia

 

'Wolseley, Greensborough Hill Climb' (Melbourne, Oz) 1945 photo by George Thomas; State Library of Victoria

 

I am working on the exact same engine: its a Matchless MX4 v-twin with 1000cc.

 

Man, there sure was a lot of Hillclimb courses out in the Eastern suburbs of Melbourne in the early days. ( actually probably were,nt even suburbs there at the time , just lots of hills ) I only remember Templestowe, Christmas Hills and LakeLand ( Lillydale ) The events were even televised with live coverage in the 60's and 70's. Around 1970 i joined the Eastern Suburbs AutoSport Club which gave me the chance to race my GTS Monaro at LakeLand. Hopeless attempt as the car was to big for the tight track .

 

What car is going in? My Sports 2 seat has the side valve MX.

 

Its in a Morgan Threewheeler, will have to ask my customer for a picture.

 

'Fogarty driving his MG at the Greensborough Hill Climb' - 1945 George Thomas photo, State Library of Victoria

 

'Reg Nutt and NE-type MG Ulster Magnette' - George Thomas photo, State Library of Victoria

 

Fats and skinnies!

That wheel-tyre combination occurred from time to time, but photographic evidence is rare. I love the look. I believe it has potential for an alternative hot rod idiom.

 

looks like a couple of Model T ford petrol tanks lying on the verge.

I have a set of 16 inch rudge whitworth wheels I was thinking of putting a pair on the back of my roadster to get that effect. Might do it now having seen that pic.

 

First pic: 'John Crouch driving an MG Type NE, 14th Rob Roy Hill Climb, 1947'; second photo is same car but not the same date; he might have had a habit of placing his goggles on his forehead (first pic); in second photo they have come adrift. George Thomas photos. State Library of Victoria (Kume: nice car)