Let's Talk Cyclecars

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Hello,​

Of course, everything depends on planed use of motorised vehicle with “strange” construction details... Such swiveling axle could be good for dragster as Dodge wrote, but also for replica of cycle-cars (was used a lot for originals) or replica of veteran cars (used a lot by builders of HCR cars)...
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About infamous Reliant episode: we waited on old clown to show us how it is easy to roll-over it on side and even on top! Of course that any three-wheeler is more unstable when has one wheel at front, but could be drive quite well (ordinary drivers) or quite bad (mentioned old clown). Reliant produced many variants of three-wheelers trough many decades in many dozens of thousands vehicles – and they were used quite safely if drivers know performances of their cars.
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Fred, you are quite right about performances of shown suspension - they are similar to delta-shaped three-wheeler. However, for light and slow motorised quadricycle, driven in lazy pensioner style - I would like to try that as simple and cheap solution, unusual too...

Ciao,
Zoran​

 

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Dodge,​

I am glad that you show old black/white photo of single-cylinder Morgan! I was afraid that yellow one could be re-creation from modern times, not original from vitage era. (my had supercharger!)
I wish you a lot of joy in building of all projects, present and future!

Regards,
Zoran​

 

Shelsley Specials at Shelsley Walsh Hillclimb from Simon Lewis.

 

"The Trice" by Steve Wilkinson

 

Rosemarijn's Amilcar

 

An Amilcar currently living in Paris.

 

... familiar photo?
Zoran
P.S.: I could hear "BRRROOOMMM-WRRRRROOOOMMM"...

 

Anybody know what this one is? I'd like to see it with the top up. What do you figure the track width is on something like this?

I like the more street car/sedan ones, so thanks, and keep 'em coming.

Edit: Found it. 1951 Reyonnah:

 

This photo is bittersweet. That's my best friend Mark sitting in the AR. He passed in a tragic car accident a little more than a year ago leaving behind a wife and a one year old. We were best friends since high school and his death really took the wind out of my sails. That's one of the reasons I hadn't worked on the project much. He was a very talented architect who was always supportive of my mechanical design projects. He was very much looking forward to seeing its completion and so I decided it was finally time to pull it out of the corner and start working on it again. We shared many interests in life such as making music, riding motorcycles, boating etc.. We had a goal to own a sailboat together as we often spent our summers on the lake together. This winter I saw that goal through and purchased a trimaran that I spend the Spring working on to keep my mind off things. I just got it out in the ocean last weekend to celebrate the 4th of July and the whole experience provided a great deal of closure for me as I don't feel like I'm stuck in neutral anymore. Thanks for posting this Zoran.

P.S. And yes, he was making vroom vroom sounds when I took this picture!

 

Talbot Darracq with an engine designed in 1920/21.the engine had ally block,DOHC,16 valves,dry sump oiling, and fuel delivered by pump instead of pressurized tank or gravity.

 

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Hello AR,​

What sad story is started by my small post! I am deeply touched and sorry to read about tragic destiny of your friend! However, in the same it is nice story about wonderful friendship between two young persons that share the same interests and have good approach to fulfill their dreams and plans! Shame that all that was stopped by cruel happenings!
I will ask you to finish your project of BMW-cycle-car as respect to your friend Mark and to keep memory on your friendship! Your machine shall be rolling monument to all mentioned!
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Internet is miracle: last night I found posted photo hidden between my oldest photos collected from internet and saved in my archive – searching for one even older. I saw my wanted photo some hours ago and couldn't find it again – but found great photo from your garage with Mark “driving” future cycle-car... I could easily imagine myself in the same position, making even bigger noise! Of course, changing virtual gears and steering trough virtual curves – leaning my body where it is “necessary”!
My sympathy and condolence to Mark's family and all persons that loved him!

Regards,
Zoran​

 

Too cool! A Vauxhall 30/98 pedal car (with an appropriate British bulldog at the wheel

Roo

 

Thanks for your kind words Zoran. Here's one of me sitting in the AR for you. Now that I've gone back to a more traditional stance with the chassis, the body will be more rectangular with a boxy front grille like most traditional Cycle cars rather than the mock-up lines shown in this photo, which should hopefully make fabricating the body panels easier as well. I also posted photos of two cars that were posted here on the forum that i'd like to base my body design on. I'm leaning more toward the Amilcar body style. I think they made some of the most beautifully designed and proportioned bodies. If anyone has any additional photos of the blue Amilcar to share or can point me in the direction of some I would really appreciate seeing them. Thx!

 

Hello AHR,​

Couldn't find "Your Amilcar", but attached are photos of similar and two sketches (plans) that could be useful for generals style and some details. Just to removed mudguards/fenders and headlights... You are quite right - as shown here in Club many times, most of Amilcars are beautiful, side-by-side to Bugatti!

However, I like your old variant with "barrel-type" nose of cyclecar! Maybe it wouldn't be too difficult to make it - and, no problems with replicating anything.. That would be your design, from chassis up. But, that is your car and you should do what you want the most. (and, “Your Amilcar” is really beautiful!)

Ciao,
Zoran​

 

'The Cyclecar' November 1912, scanned and online here...
http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/toyota.tcl?full?toyota.13821?n=2?i=1?size=screen

 

You want to build an Amilcar CGSS body? There is someone in France selling plans 1:1
150 euro the copy. Just put the paper over the wood and cut.
https://www.leboncoin.fr/equipement_auto/419475354.htm?ca=12_s

 

A very useful Equipment to get the right Feeling when you are dreaming about the first Outing.

 

Alberto Trivellato driving the GP Lombard in the 1929 Criterium di Roma.

 

A nice bicycle to fit Rolf's device on

next stage: fit a V twin into the frame !

 

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Rolf,
When I buy two rolators for us - I will try to find such gadgets to istall!
If be lucky, mabe put it on mobility scooters for two of us?
Zoran

 

Some images from GASBALLOON of Ade loading up the JAPPIC recreation for display at this weekend's Chateau Impney.

 

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Syncro, ​

Thank you of wonderful input to magnificent world of pre-War cycle-cars! There were a few dozens of pages (I didn't count, just enjoy), with interesting articles, advertisements, photos and sketches. There is so many models that I saw for the first time, but the fist versions of GN and Bedelia, too... Quite serious approach to a little crazy movement of motorization “for the people”! (and, especially for ladies, as was advertised!)...There are a lot of detailed facts with performances of cycle-cars and many photos and sketches of details: engines, transmissions, suspensions, steering, chassis, body layout... Pity that I couldn't find something like that some decades ago in my early youth when I felt in love with cycle-cars. I had just a few photos, collected here and there...

Attached is one photo that could be attractive for me as senior enthusiast, and one for big-fat-old guys! Also, a few more serious!

Ciao,
Zoran​