Special Features / 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.