Hot Rods The Hornet Special

A lot of folks have asked about the car in my avatar. I have ALWAYS admitted that it was NOT my car or photograph.

The car is called the Hornet or The Hornet Special.It was built about 20 or so years ago by a gent named Duncan in England.He was inspired by John Bolster's book entitled "Specials". John Bolster is probably known here in America for his "Bloody Mary" cars.He was also an auto enthusiast and author of many auto related books.

The chassis is from a 1924/25 Citroen found in a hedge in France and purchased by Duncan's friend for 35 pounds.

Front axle ends up being a genuine Frazer-Nash.The main tube was cracked and was retubed straight like a GN.

The back axle is GN and is a copy of the axle used in a special named "Ceaser" owned by a good friend of Duncan's named Mark.

Now I've said that the car was influenced by John Bolster's work.The particular car had FOUR J.A.P. KTOR model engines in it.Those engines were too expensive to source.So,the 1926 Harley Davidson JD model V-twins were obtained as a reasonable vintage substitute.They have Ricardo Chips in the tops of the cylinders to increase compression.Currently the car runs SU crbs on gas.When it was originally built is was running Amal GP carbs on methanol.The car drives better on gas.The engines don't rev as well on methanol and the car doesn't drive as fast. As you can see the car has only 2 engines.As previously stated ,the "plan" was for 4 engines.There just happen to be 2 more HD engines in stock ,under the bench waiting to be installed!This would effectively make a 5.0 litre V-8!

The transmission is of Duncan's own execution.It uses2 ,2 speed cross shafts with GN style dog clutches giving four speeds driven through a beefed up HD clutch.

11 chains in all,including one driving the tachometer.

Steering is from a 1922 Jowett 7hp.Only 1/3 of a turn lock to lock.

Wheels are 19" Rudge.

The fuel tank,oil tank,gauges,and other bits came from Beaulieau autojumble.When you think Beaulieau,think Carlilsle in England...only a little smaller.

The pictures show a guy named Robin.Duncan lent the car to Robin about 6 years ago.The picture of the car in motion is by Mark Dixon.This picture appeared in the first edition of "Octane" magazine along with some others of the car.

BanjeauX Bob

 

Here is Duncan in other cars....

 

Jonh Bolster....

 

Cool story. This thing is a study in minimalist engineering. But I'd opt for a butt bucket with a higher backside.

Forgot to ask... what's the deal with the furry cowl cover? I'm thinking it might be a traction aid if stuck in soft ground, or to lie on when making repairs?

Without a doubt, my new desk top image. Insane paint job too. Gary

 

Weird and Wonderful Creation.......thanks for sharing...

Ray

 

Thanks, Very Cool!

 

That looks to be all at once fun and terrifying to drive! I like it!

 

Gary,the furry cowl blanket must be some English inside humor thing.Maybe if I watched more of those British sitcoms on public TV I might get it?

BanjeauX Bob

 

What a great shot. Just another crazy Englishman at play. Love it.

 

There was an article in Octane magazine a few years ago about John Bolster's Bloody Mary. I got a kick out of the first paragraph:

You have to wonder what today’s Health and Safety brigade would make of John Bolster’s vintage special Bloody Mary. It was, as Bolster once wrote, built by two schoolboys in 1929 ‘…with the object of driving around a field as dangerously as possible’.

http://www.classicandperformancecar...eatures/247345/john_bolsters_bloody_mary.html

 

Hey Bob

How tight does he twist the JD's?

Herb

 

Herb,I'll ask.

Bob

 

Hmm, I have a couple of Indian V-twins lying around in the garage....

damn, just what I need another project.....

 

Hornet

 

Thats Cool!

 

That thing would be a blast to drive--even if it were the slowest car up the hill!

Herb

 

A few recent photos of the Hornet. I hope to do a few more soon. Meanwhile Duncan's thinking of drilling it full of holes...


flash-0376 by Stefan Marjoram, on Flickr


flash-0398 by Stefan Marjoram, on Flickr


flash-0413 by Stefan Marjoram, on Flickr


flash-0455 by Stefan Marjoram, on Flickr


flash-0452 by Stefan Marjoram, on Flickr


flash-0456 by Stefan Marjoram, on Flickr


flash-0457 by Stefan Marjoram, on Flickr

 

This thing looks like it would be a real rush to drive.

 

I love this type of cyclecar and am certain I will build one in the future. If I could source a chaindrive rear axle I have many appropriate parts and could fab many of the others. The rush of driving one of these in a hillclimb or rally must be amazing! They look like mechanical sculptures from the past.

 

Thanks. That car is amazing. There is one pic where it looks to be the driver has a suit & tie and an interested passenger having a looksee - are they just out for a drive in the mud like at the JalopyShowdown?

 

Really neat old racers/fun cars.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

 

If he's wearing a tie it's Duncan - he's never without one on an event. If it's muddy it might be a trials event. You take your car, and a passenger (or 'bouncer'), up a steep stony/muddy track which has markers from 1 to 25 up the side. You score as many points as the markers you pass. Here's a gallery from one I went on recently (in the GN with the orange fur)...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stefanmarjoram/sets/72157631776569544/

 

So maybe you're the one to ask, what's the purpose of the orange fur on the cowl?

Probably not the same reason that so many vans had orange shag carpet installed back in the '70's. Then again, why do ya think it was called shag carpet in the first place? But, I digress .....

Later, Kinky6

 

The fur is just a bit of fun - his daughter thought it looked nice. Sadly it's fallen off recently. Something else will have to take it's place. Perhaps some nice chequers.

 

Tell Duncan that this Duncan says "Way cool!"

 

Hey Bob--

Is that you driving it in your avatar?

If so, tell us what it was like--

If not, get busy asking Duncan!

Herb

 

No Herb,regrettably that's not me.That's the trouble with that picture...it doesn't show the grin on the driver's face!

What's it like? I can only imagine what it's like to be be less than 6" inches from the ground with TWO engines screaming in front of me and half a dozen chains alongside me whirring and whizzing slinging oil all over.And the only thing governing the speed is the size of one's testicles!

BanjeauX Bob

 

Cool contraption Bob. Go Kart grows up and becomes Special. Or some such.

 

I was looking through smarjoram's Flickr and found the pics. Google search for info and found this thread. Thanks for posting Bob. Just looking at it is a visceral experience.

 

The Hornet has been fired and readied for another season of competition.