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9.1 Cyclecars
- 9.1.1. Introduction
- Cyclecars occupied the position between small cars (voiturettes) and motorcycles.
- Many were so narrow that the two passengers were frequently seated in tandem, not side-by-side; especially in the earlier models.
- Wheels were typically wire (sometimes wood) spoked, with wooden frames.
- A commonly used power transmission system in the earlier models was the use of long leather belts on each side of the car delivering power to the rear wheels.
- The first successful cyclecars, produced by Bedelia of France and GN and Morgan of Britain, appeared in 1910.
- The term “Cyclecar” was coined in about 1912 by Major Lindsay Lloyd, a founder member in 1909 of the British Motorcycle Racing Club. Is that statement correct? In 1911 or 1912?
- In the spring of 1912 the British Cyclecar Club and the Auto-Cycle Union defined the cyclecar as a machine with 3 or 4 wheels, an engine of less than 1100 cc, a chassis weight of 672 lbs and a total weight of less than 784 lbs.
- In 1919, due to the decline in interest, the Cyclecar Club was renamed the Junior Car Club (JCC). In 1949 the name was changed to the British Automobile Racing Club.
- Note: JCC cars were defined as weighting less than either 15 cwt (4-seaters) or 13 cwt (2-seaters). Engines were limited to either 1500cc (4-stroke) or 1100 cc (2-stroke).
- In December 1912 the “Federation International des Clubs Moto Cycliste” (representing Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, UK and USA) met in England and two classes of cyclecars were defined.
- Large: Max weight 770 lbs (350 kg), max cc: 1100, min tyre section 60 mm.
- Small: Max weight 660 lbs (300 kg), min weight 330 lbs (150 kg), max cc: 750, min tyre section 55 mm.
- They were to have clutches, which could be achieved by the slipping of a belt on a pulley, and simple change of speed gears.
- In the United States cyclecars were defined as four-wheeled vehicles with engines displacing a maximum of 71 cu. in. (1163 cc). In what year was that agreed?
- In excess of 150 cyclecar manufacturers are believed to have existed in Europe and the USA during the brief boom period that lasted up to the start of WW1 in 1914.
- With a few exceptions production of cyclecars ceased during WW1 (1914-18).
- By the early 1920s the popularity of these small, initially cheap, cars had, however, past its peak.
- Mass production methods pioneered by Ford with the Model T produced cars that were not only almost as cheap as a cyclecar but more reliable and travelled further.
- Due to their flimsy construction very few cyclecars have survived.
- 9.1.2. Austria
1. Grofi
- Grofri manufactured French Amilcars under licence from 1924 to 1927. These cyclecars were fitted with either 903 cc or 1074 cc four-cylinder engines. Additional info required, weight, numbers made, etc.
- 9.1.3. Belgium
1. SCH Information required.
- 9.1.4. Canada
1. Baby Car
- In 1914 the Canadian Baby Car Company produced a two cylinder air cooled cyclecar.
- Three models were available, fitted with different engines. What was their weight & engine size? How many were made and until when?
2. Dart
- Cyclecars were produced by the Dart Cyclecar Company from 1913 to 1914/15. Only a few were made.
- The car was based on the American Scripps-Booth cyclecar. Some of the parts were made in Detroit, USA.
3. Glen
- The Glen Motor Company manufactured a small number of cyclecars from 1921 to 1922.
- They were fitted with three-cylinder air-cooled engines.
4. Gramme
- In 1913 the Gramm Motor Truck Company produced a small number of two-cylinder air cooled cyclecars. Additional info required.
5. Holden-Morgan
- The Holden-Morgan Company built a few two-cylinder cyclecars. They may have been based on the 1913 IMP cyclecar produced in the USA. Additional info required.
6. Welker-Doerr
- In 1912 the Welker-Doerr Company made one two-cylinder cyclecar. It was designed to have a top speed 50 mph (80 kph) and achieved 50 miles per gallon. Additional info required.
- 9.1.5. Czech Republic
1. Novo
- Novo produced a 770 cc cyclecar in 1922. Additional info required.
2.Vaja
- The company produced a 12 hp, 792 cc cyclecar in 1929. It weighed 748 lbs (340 kg) and had a top peed of 38 mph (60 kph). Between what dates was it made?
- 9.1.6. France
- Possibly in excess of 50 cyclecar manufacturers existed in France between 1910 and 1934. Most existed for 1-3 years.
- At least 16 were still operating during the first half of the 1920s. By the late 1920s most had ceased producing cyclecars.
1. Able
- The Able four-cylinder cyclecar was built between 1920 and 1927. It was fitted with engines ranging from 1100 cc to 1500 cc. What did it weigh? How many were made?
2. Amilcar
- The Amilcar Company produced their first cyclecar in 1921.
- This was followed by the Amilcar CC, a light sporting car that was produced from 1922 to 1925. It was powered by a 903 cc four-cylinder 18 hp engine. What did it weigh? How many were made?
- The Amilcar C4 version was made between 1922 and 1928.
- In 1924 the company produced their most famous model; the 1,074 cc CGS "Grand Sport". It competed in numerous cyclecar races during the 1920s. There was also a CGSS "Grand Sport Surbaissé" model.
- The company’s cyclecars were built under licence in Austria (“Grofri”), Germany (“Pluto”) and Italy (“Amilcar Italiana”).
- The first dedicated cyclecar race was organised by the Automobile Club de France in 1913. Races for cyclecars and voiturettes were held up to the late 1920s.
3. Ardex
- In 1934 Ardex produced a cyclecar that was fitted with engines of up to 500 cc. What did it weigh? How many were made? Was it a three-wheeler?
4. Bédélia
- The Bédélia cyclecar was made in France by the Bourbeau et Devaux Company from 1910 to 1925.
- The passenger sat in the front and the car was steered by the person in the rear. Single-cylinder or 10hp V-twin engines were fitted.
- Power was transmitted to the rear wheels by a belt which could be moved between pulleys to give a two speed transmission.
- To change gear the driver operated a lever which slackened the belt by moving the rear axle forwards. The passenger then had to move the belt between pulleys by means of a separate lever.
- A Bédélia model won the 1913 Cyclecar Grand Prix.
- An updated version was produced in about 1920, with the driver and passenger sat side-by-side. A 990 cc engine was provided.
5. Jack Sport
- The Jack Sport, a 410 cc, single-cylinder cyclecar was produced from 1925 to 1930. What did it weigh? How many were made?
6. Others
- Other French companies producing cyclecars include; Able, Ajams, Alcyon, Ardex, Arzac, Astatic, Austral, Bignan, BUC, Coadou et Fleury, Janoir, JG Sport, Jouvie, La Confortable, Le Cabri, Le Favori, Le Roitelet, Molla, Quo Vadis, Senechal and Vaillant.
- 9.1.7. Germany
1. Arimofa
- Ari-Motorfahrzeugbau GmbH (Arimofa Company) built a few cyclecars between 1921 and 1922. They were fitted with 12 hp twin-cylinder engines. Is the weight and engine capacity known?
2. Grade
- The Grade cyclecar was produced from 1921 to about 1924. It had a two-stroke engine and a friction-wheel gearbox. Is the weight and engine capacity known?
3. Pluto
- Pluto was a cyclecar built under licence from Amilcar of France.
- Other German cyclecar manufacturers include Koco, Spindell and Staiger. Information required.
- 9.1.8. Great Britain/UK
1. Adamson
- The Adamson cyclecar was produced from 1912 to 1925.
- The first model was a small bullnosed version which was fitted with either a 1078 cc 9 hp twin cylinder engine or a 1074 cc four cylinder engine.
- Drive to the rear wheels was via a three speed gearbox and belts.
- When production resumed after WW1 in about 1919 it is believed that the some of the cars produced were not considered to be cyclecars because 1327 cc engines were fitted. Is this statement correct?
- The last model, which was produced from 1923 to 1925, was the "Twin-Cars", effectively two sidecars fitted together with the driver in the off-side one.
- They were powered by an air cooled 9 hp, 1078 cc twin-cylinder engine with chain drive. How many Adamson cyclecars were produced? What did they weigh?
2. Autotrix
- The Autotrix was a three wheeled cyclecar that was produced by Edmunds and Wadden between 1911 and 1914.
- Two versions fitted with air cooled engines were available.
- The small version had a 4 hp engine and elt drive. The larger version had either a 9 hp engine and chain drive, or a water-cooled 6 hp engine.
3. AV
- AV’s first model was called the Monocar. It was a single-seater with the body made from wood, plywood and compressed paper and weighed about 550 pounds.
- It was powered by an engine rated at 5 to 8 hp. Several hundred were produced.
- The Bi-car, with the passenger located behind the driver, was launched in 1920 and about 50 were made.
- A “side by side” model called the Runabout, was added in 1921.
- Production of the Monocar and the Bi-car ended in 1922. Production of the Runabout continued until 1924.
- The company changed its name in 1923 to A.V. Motors Ltd.
- By the time production ceased in about 1924 about 1000 AV and Carden (see below) cyclecars had been made.
4. Blériot-Whippet
- The four-wheeled, 997 cc 14 hp (10 kW) Blériot-Whippet cyclecar was produced by the Air Navigation and Engineering Company from 1920 to 1927.
- Tourer and sports versions were produced.
- The two-seater cars were open bodied and were initially fitted with an infinitely variable belt transmission system. A 3/4 seater model was also produced. In what year?
- From 1922 they were fitted with a conventional three speed gearbox and chain drive, with a shaft drive model introduced in 1923.
- The bodies were made of plywood covered in leather cloth.
- Only one of the several hundred produced was known to exist in 2006.
5. Carden
- In 1913 (possibly a year earlier) John Carden started designing wooden bodied single seat cyclecars which he built at his home.
- They were powered by a 481 cc single cylinder engine driving the back axle by belt. There was no gearbox.
- From 1914 four-wheeled “Carden” cyclecars were produced by Carden Engineering. In addition to the 481 cc model, a 654 cc two cylinder engine version that was fitted with a two speed gearbox was introduced.
- In 1916 both the design rights and the Carden factory were sold to Ward and Avey Limited and the name was to changed to AV.
6. GN
- In 1910 H.R. Godfrey and Archibald Frazer Nash formed a company called GN which manufactured cyclecars.
- GN was one of the first companies to produce a cyclecar.
- The first cars were powered by V twin engines supplied by JA Prestwich Industries (UK) Ltd and Peugeot. By 1911 the cars were powered by GN’s 1100 cc engines.
- The two-seater weighed 397 lbs (180 kg) and had a top speed of 60 mph (97 kph).
- In 1913 a GN team competed in the French Cyclecar Grand Prix.
- By the time GN suspended cyclecar production, at the outbreak of WW1 in 1914, about 200 cars had been manufactured.
- Production resumed in 1919 and shortly afterwards the GN Company was purchased by British Grégoire Ltd.
- Salmson of France obtained a licence to manufacturer GN cars. In what year? They made about 1600 cars. Were they all cyclecars?
- In 1921 the company was purchased by a Mr Black and in 1922 he introduced a 1098 cc four cylinder water cooled model.
- By the time production of GN ceased in May 1923 about 4,200 GN cars had been made.
- A new company founded by some ex-employees produced a few cars from existing parts in 1924 and 1925.
7. LAD - The Oakleigh Motor Company started production of the LAD cyclecar in 1921. Most of these first cars were single-seaters but a few two-seaters were made.
- The cars only had a single forward gear and no reverse. Production ceased at the outbreak of WW1 in 1914.
- Manufacture of the LAD cyclecar recommenced in 1923 by “LAD Productions” who introduced a 350 cc twin-cylinder model.
- In 1926 the company ceased trading.
8. Morgan - In 1909 Harry F S Morgan (“HFS”) built a three-wheel cyclecar using a twin cylinder 7 hp Peugeot engine. It was one of the first British cars with an independent front suspension.
- Later that year the Morgan Car Company was started.
- The first two Morgan cyclecars produced in 1910 were single seaters and were fitted with either an 8 hp or 4 hp engine.
- The first two-seater, 8 hp, models were produced in 1911 and had tiller steering. Later that year a steering wheel was fitted.
- A two-cylinder, 30 hp, 1914 racing model had a top speed of 72 mph (115 kph).
- By 1914 the company was producing 1000 cars per year.
- In 1919 Morgan's cycle cars were produced in France under the name of Darmont Morgan.
- These cyclecars had chain driven drive to the single rear wheel. The early models had two chains/two speeds. A three speed gear box was introduced in 1932.
- In 1923 front wheel brakes became optional.
- The British car tax laws were changed in 1936 and three-wheeled vehicles were no longer classified as motorcycles for tax purposes. In what year was the last Morgan cyclecar produced? How many in total were built?
9. New Carden - Another Carden designed cyclecar was manufactured by Arnott and Harrison as the “New Carden” from about 1922 to 1925.
10. Skeoch - About ten Skeoch cyclecars were manufactured in Scotland in 1921 until a fire destroyed the factory.
- They were powered by 348 cc single-cylinder engines and fitted with two-speed gearboxes with chain drive.
11. Tamplin - John Carden designed a new cyclecar in 1919. This 980 cc model was manufactured by Tamplin Motors until 1924.
- It carried two people seated one behind the other.
- The engine was kick started. When fully depressed the clutch pedal operated the brakes.
- The open body was made of fibreboard which was waterproofed by soaking it in linseed oil.
- In 1924 the company introduced a new two-seater 964 cc model, which had side by side seating.
- A chain replaced the belt drive to the rear axle that was used in the previous model.
- Tamplin claimed that by the time production ceased in 1925 they had produced 1,896 cyclecars (a figure that is disputed). Do any still exist?
12. Others - Other British companies producing cyclecars include; Aerocar, Allwyn, Alvechurch, Amazon, Archer, Armstrong, Athmac, Atomette, Baby Blake, Baker & Dale, Bantam, Barnard, Baughan, Bell, Black Prince, Bound, Bow-V-Car, BPD, Bradwell, Buckingham/Chota, Coventry Premier, Coventr-Victor, DEW, Douglas, Gerald, Hampton, Hill & Stanier, Imperial, Jappic, Lambert, Lester Solus, Perry, Simplic, Tiny, Westall & Wherwell.
- 9.1.9. Holland
1. Slaby Beringer
- The company produced cyclecars. Between what years? Additional information required.
- 9.1.10. Italy
1. Amilcar
- Amilcar Italiana manufactured French Amilcars under licence from 1925 to 1928. Information on these cyclecars is required; weight, engine size, numbers made, etc.
2. Anzani - In 1920 Alessandro Anzani built a two-cylinder, air cooled, 750 cc racing car and competed in various cyclecar competitions in numerous European countries up to about 1924.
- Between 1923 and 1924 he produced a 1098 cc cyclecar.
3. Marino - The company produced a 1100 cc cyclecar. Between what years? Additional information required.
- 9.1.11. Poland
- The first car to be built in Poland is believed to have been a cyclecar.
1. SKAF
- In 1921 the SKAF Light Automobile Company produced a two-seater cyclecar called the SKAF. Only three were built; all prototypes.
- It weighed 300 kg (660 lbs) and was powered by a 500 cc water cooled engine. It had an advertised top speed of 40 kph (25 mph).
- A 733 cc, 350 kg (770 lbs) prototype cyclecar called the WM was constructed in 1928.
- The open wooden bodied car was fitted with an air-cooled four-stroke two cylinder engine. It had a top speed of 75 kph (47 mph) and could seat two persons. It was also fitted with a rear seat suitable for a child.
- 9.1.12. Spain
2. David - The David Company manufactured cyclecars in Barcelona between 1913 and 1923. See Part 2, Section 8.13.6. Spain. Was production interrupted by WW1?
- They were fitted with either a single or four cylinder engine.
- Most were open two-seaters but some three-seat and enclosed models were produced. Further info on these cyclecars is required; weight, engine cc, numbers made, etc.
3. Izaro 9.1.13. Sweden
1. Mascot
A car called the Mascot was produced by AB Rååverken in about 1920. It weighed 275 kg (605 lbs).
It was also available as a kit to convert a motor cycle to a type of cyclecar. It normally used a two-cylinder 16 hp Excelsior motor cycle engine.
It had two tandem seats, a steering wheel, soft top, doors and a windscreen.
2. Wiertz 1. Car-Nation - One of, if not the first cyclecar produced in the United States was the “Car-Nation Roadster” model that was manufactured by the American Voiturette Company from about 1912 to 1915.
- It weighed 700 lb (320 kg), was powered by a four-cylinder air cooled engine and had a 3 speed transmission.
2. Dudly Bug - The Dudly Tool Company was formed in 1913 as part of the Menominee Electric Manufacturing Company and by November of that year they had produced a prototype cyclecar.
- In 1914 the company introduced their first production model; the two-seater A-1 Dudley Bug. The 10 hp cyclecar was powered by a two-cylinder air-cooled engine and had an ash wood frame. What cc and weight?
- In late 1914/early 1915 Dudly produced a two-seater electric powered car. It had a range of about 50 miles (80 klm) and a top speed of 19 mph (3 kph). About 100 were made. Is the exact date and number known?
- The two-cylinder A-1 model was replaced in 1915 by the four-cylinder 1.6 litre B-1 model. Later in 1915 the company ceased making cars. Was the electric car produced before or after the B-1 model? Could the date for the B-1 be 1914?
3. Scripps-Booth
- The Scripps-Booth Cyclecar Company produced a tandem cyclecar called the Rocket in 1913 and 1914. It was fitted with a twin-cylinder, 70.6 cu. in. (1157 cc) 10-12 hp engine.
- A total of about 400 were made.
- In December 1914 Scripps-Booth sold their cyclecar company to the Puritan Machine Company of Detroit, which continued to service the JB Rocket and sell parts for a time.
4. Woods - Between 1913 and 1916 the Woods Mobilette Company manufactured what was promoted as America‘s first cyclecar.
- It had a four-cylinder engine and was rated at 12 hp. Further info is required; weight, engine cc, numbers made, etc.
5. Others - Other American companies producing cyclecars include; American, Cyclomobile, Coey, Comet, Cyclops, Dayton, Hawk, JPL, La Vigne, Malcolm, Jones, Mercury, Motor Bob, O-We-Go, Smith Flyer, Twombly and Xenia.
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