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Let's Talk Cyclecars

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Bigcheese327, Dec 4, 2007.

  1. Erik B
    Joined: Sep 4, 2006
    Posts: 1,959

    Erik B
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  2. Desmodromic
    Joined: Sep 25, 2010
    Posts: 571

    Desmodromic
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    Forgot to mention, I also have a Berkeley, 3 cylinders but 4 wheels; I guess that would qualify too.
     
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  3. SR100
    Joined: Nov 26, 2013
    Posts: 1,130

    SR100
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    Desmo,
    My name is Byers, so yes, I chose the name from the fiberglass body. I might be a distant cousin of Jim Byers who built them, but it'll need more digging to prove (or disprove) it. Geoff Hacker in Tampa (UndiscoveredClassics.com) has begun reproducing the SR 100.
    Formula Four is another interest of mine. Despite being started in North America (or so I'm told, the origins are a little murky) they were more popular in the UK. They started out as an allegedly cheap way to go racing, with 250cc motorcycle engines. Pushing the cars, which, although tiny, are heavier than a lightweight motorcycle, is said to have burned up several engines, so they settled on 650cc production motorcycle engines. The 250s disappeared quickly. Another class was added for 875cc production automobile engines. Nearly all were Hillman Imp-based. Again the smaller engined cars disappeared quickly. Over time the rules diverged by country. Canada ran a 750cc F4 series until at least 2017. The UK let in 1000cc car engines around 1970, once again killing the smaller class.
    The current FIA international F4 class is no relation.
    To actually answer your question, yes I've heard of the Johnny Walker J.W.4. There were at least eight F4 makers in the UK. The J.W.4 was probably the most successful (at least in numbers sold).
    Brent
    P.S. Pics of your midgets and the Berkeley?
     
  4. motoklas
    Joined: Dec 17, 2010
    Posts: 663

    motoklas
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    from Bern, CH

    Hello,
    The appearance of Austin-7 (specials) and MG M-type replaced sporty cyclecars, as I could see from distance...
    There was always competition between owners (not always racing drivers) and general fans of classic sports cars - which one is better? Like duels between Mercer and Stutz fans. My humble opinion is that MG small cars were better, the real small automobile! However, I would prefer Austin-7 special, but wouldn't reject MG!

    Here is attached the link for the older film about MG history, long a little but detailed:



    Besides small and cute sporty cars, there were in the same period a few bigger, quite successful - commercially and in some kind of competitions (trials, mostly)

    Enjoy,
    Zoran
     
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  5. Rolfzoller
    Joined: Apr 30, 2014
    Posts: 395

    Rolfzoller
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    5DC251EA-8ADD-42F4-B4E8-71F1F472B426.jpeg
    From Isetta Club del Uruguay
     
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  6. rgdavid
    Joined: Feb 3, 2014
    Posts: 347

    rgdavid
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    Motoklas, my dad raced austin 7 in the early sixties, the english club was called the " 750 club" , It was a very cheap way to race and there was a lot of good ideas that went on to be racong standards of that time,
    It was all down to how much work and ideas you put into it rather than expensive parts buying.
     
  7. Rolfzoller
    Joined: Apr 30, 2014
    Posts: 395

    Rolfzoller
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    The "John Harris" Derbyshire Trial 2019 52FBC97F-11E9-46E5-ACD5-9F378624EC73.jpeg
     
  8. Rolfzoller
    Joined: Apr 30, 2014
    Posts: 395

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  9. banjeaux bob
    Joined: Aug 31, 2008
    Posts: 6,614

    banjeaux bob
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    from alaska

    "SALAMANDA" built from Austin Seven stuff by Oliver Way.
     
  10. banjeaux bob
    Joined: Aug 31, 2008
    Posts: 6,614

    banjeaux bob
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    from alaska

  11. banjeaux bob
    Joined: Aug 31, 2008
    Posts: 6,614

    banjeaux bob
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    from alaska

  12. foolthrottle
    Joined: Oct 14, 2005
    Posts: 1,402

    foolthrottle
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  13. noboD
    Joined: Jan 29, 2004
    Posts: 8,456

    noboD
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  14. foolthrottle
    Joined: Oct 14, 2005
    Posts: 1,402

    foolthrottle
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  15. Kume
    Joined: Jan 23, 2010
    Posts: 980

    Kume
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    There are few cars that can stand up to a piano accompaniment
     
  16. Rolfzoller
    Joined: Apr 30, 2014
    Posts: 395

    Rolfzoller
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  17. foolthrottle
    Joined: Oct 14, 2005
    Posts: 1,402

    foolthrottle
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  18. fredvv44
    Joined: Dec 11, 2013
    Posts: 620

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    Uh, I don't think that is a Morgan.
     
  19. JackdaRabbit
    Joined: Jul 15, 2008
    Posts: 498

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    from WNC

    Amilcar ?
     
  20. SR100
    Joined: Nov 26, 2013
    Posts: 1,130

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    Four-wheel Morgans are one of my many obscure interests. We've seen the RIP:
    RIP.jpg

    and Salome:
    GN-Morgan-Special-Salome.jpg
    (Salome's history is detailed @ http://morgan3w.de/photos/album10.htm)

    January's issue of The Automobile has a pic of Grannie, a four-wheel Morgan powered by an 1100cc JTOR JAP engine.
    Here are a couple of pics:
    Hill-climb 2015-Grannie JTOR.jpg

    Clare Morgan-JAP4.jpg
    Any ideas about the rear suspension?
     
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  21. fredvv44
    Joined: Dec 11, 2013
    Posts: 620

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    It is my understanding that the 4 wheel Mogs used a GN rear axle.
     
  22. fredvv44
    Joined: Dec 11, 2013
    Posts: 620

    fredvv44
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    Do you know what this one is?
    Keeneland race Road Amer.jpg
     
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  23. SR100
    Joined: Nov 26, 2013
    Posts: 1,130

    SR100
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    Salome appears to, but Granie has smaller hubs. They look like they might be A7 wheels, but I don't see any A7 suspension.
     
  24. SR100
    Joined: Nov 26, 2013
    Posts: 1,130

    SR100
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    No, its a new one to me, but I like it.
     
  25. fredvv44
    Joined: Dec 11, 2013
    Posts: 620

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    With A7 diff you would have to use the A7 gearbox too. With GN all you do is add the axle and chain.
     
  26. SR100
    Joined: Nov 26, 2013
    Posts: 1,130

    SR100
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    I remember reading that the homebuilt Formula 500 cars built in Britain just after WWII were built on old A7 chassis and the builders sometimes replaced the ring gear in the diff with a sprocket for chain drive and notched the housing for the chain. Unfortunately, my books are in storage, so I can't quote the source. In any case, Grannie appears to be prewar. Does anyone have a copy of John Bateman's book: The Enthusiast's Guide to Vintage Specials? There is supposed to be a section on Grannie in it. (I want a copy, but the cheapest one I could find was $245!)
    Looking at 500Race.org (and I recommend it, there are lots of interesting motorcycle-engined cars in the Marques section), I saw three methods of handling the rear axle when using the A7 chassis. The sprocket replacing the ring gear; attaching the MC engine to the A7 trans (only w/ front engine AFAIK); and using the GN axle. One car, the K.N. Special, used a GN axle, but adapted to A7 wheels. The claimed advantage to doing this was the ability to use the three sizes of A7 wheel to quickly (and cheaply) change final drive ratio.
     
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  27. The37Kid
    Joined: Apr 30, 2004
    Posts: 30,627

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    That mini Packard still exists, think there were photos posted 5-6 years ago. Bob

    [​IMG]
     
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  28. Rolfzoller
    Joined: Apr 30, 2014
    Posts: 395

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  29. chrisp
    Joined: Jan 27, 2007
    Posts: 1,048

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    A Tracta type E frame and radiator for sale on Leboncoin
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
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  30. Rolfzoller
    Joined: Apr 30, 2014
    Posts: 395

    Rolfzoller
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    2B172D4B-16E3-4A33-BA4F-F1EA9DFEE749.jpeg 36DDBBE5-3E69-4D53-A769-DE9D29FDED74.jpeg
     
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