Let's Talk Cyclecars

This photo looks like the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix? Have seen Crosley engines built up from sheet metal and furnaced brazed together.


Ago

 

I believe at least the first year Crosley engines were made that way.

 

Yup- those are the "COBRA" Crosley engines (Copper-Brazed).

 

'46-'48, I believe.

 

I had heard that term before but didn't know what it meant. In my steam engine hobby brazing steel plate is not uncommon for making cylinders.

 

It was a sound idea that just wasn't executed properly, if I remember correctly.

Late last year I fell into a deal for a later Crosley engine and a pair of Homelites (boat engines based on the Crosley castings with 59 ci). Not sure what will happen with them, but they're neat little buggers

 

Here's an interesting little Crosley powered dragster.

 

Some nice pics of a replica vintage Crosley TQ midget can be found here:

http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/foru...&start=0&sid=d96b7ab1ac826afd6db2bda1e21cbc9e

 

And, how about this one for sale!!
http://www.gullwingsearch.com/Jabro59.cfm

 

got the wheels and tyres on the Jappic yesterday , front end is only mocked up but the car came off the workbench and sat outside in the sun

sorry struggling to attach files from my ipad but follow the link in my signature for the latest pics and maybe someone could post a couple

 

That quarter spring chassis looks very interesting !!

 

You guys talking about the CoBra engine reminded me of its creator, Lloyd Taylor. I met him in the 1970s, and at the time, he was building water-cooled cylinder heads for VW flat fours for offroaders...

...and yes, he was making them in the same way as his Crosley engines. A really interesting guy to talk to, and I only wish I had recorded the conversations.

 

Looks fantastic Ade!

 

Wow, that is exciting after all the time spent. What wheels are those; they look perfect.

 

The front hubs are period humberette and the rears were machined up to match the fronts , the rims and spokes are all new tyres are 26x21/2 , vintage beaded edge motorcycle tyres , scary fact is they are the same size as my mountain bike ,

I think the wheels are so far the most expensive part of the project at over £1000 but they do look good and right

 

Well, it was worth it. Sometimes you have to pay to get what's right.

 

Having been a serious old bike restorer for over forty years, beaded edge wheels are my field of expertise, so when I saw that UKAde was serious about makiing a good job of the Jappic, I offered help. I also knew exactly where to get the correct stuff, which used to be cheap but sadly no longer.

Snag with wheels and tyres is they have to be dead right for the car to look right as they are such a big part of the finished vehicle. Although I am a wheelbuilder, I also have a close friend who is a pro wheel builder, fast and accurate, so I obtained the rims (made in NZ!) and fettled the hubs and then got them built and finished. We put modern bearings in the front hubs which I think is fair as the original cup and cone arrangement is only OK if everything is in perfect condition which it wasn't.

Having also fitted many BE tyres in my time, mostly for veteran and vintage motorcycles, I offered to help with this chore as they are difficult to fit at the best of times and sometimes almost impossible if you haven't got the right tools. They went on OK and were finished by lunchtime, leaving the afternoon for posing and self-congratulation!! Very pleasing all round, and well done Ade for getting the car to this stage.

Marticelli

 

Jappic is looking great! Wonderful work. Enjoying the progress photos.

 

Mention of Crossleys above reminds me that when I was at Bonneville in September 2008 helping a friend run a pair of LSR MGs, there was a neat Crossley running too, which looked very well prepared and attractively understated. Here some pics of it. I know nothing more about the car, but it probably has a big block Chevy engine hidden under the hood!

Perhaps others here know the car and can tell us more...





Marticelli

 

No, it's stock. J is the international racing class for 500-750cc engines. Pro is production coupes or sedans, so it has to have a stock block Crosley. They are chasing a record currently at 110mph. There was a brief fad for modified Crosleys at Bonneville in the 50's. Howard Johansen of Howard Cams had a chopped GMC-powered one.
If I were modifying one, a Legends race car drive train would make for quite the sleeper.

 

Just been sent this link of the Jappic in action go to 3.30 but you could watch the whole thing it's a weird mixture of period film

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EFO7dpiQXnc

 

Great stuff. I liked #5 too about Seagrave setting a record at Daytona.

 

Here's a COBRA Crosley cutaway i made for display.

 

I still like the idea that an engine can be constructed rather than carved. Engines at quite the opposite extreme of scale are also made like this: locomotive and ship diesels.

 

At our shop we have a flat 4 Panhard engine build that way too, the block is all bolted together, they made a flat 12 that way also.

 

I have some images of a Hot Rod article showing a DOHC engine he was making that way.

 

Not sure if I've posted these already in this thread, but with the Crosley talk I'll put them here.
Crosley powered, Miller front-drive inspired cycle car.

 

That mini miller is a work of art , stunning fillet brazing on the front axle , it will be a shame if they paint the axle ,

 

Earlier here it was said that Crosley had electrolysis problems that caused failures. I wonder if, with modern chemicals, that problem can be overcome. I love the idea.

That Crosley Miller is GREAT.

 

Thanks for posting the article on Lloyd and the pics of the Crosley Miller. Like UKAde said, it's a work of art..