RUMCars Forum
General Category => Unusual Microcar Discussion => Topic started by: Chris Thomas on August 05, 2015, 09:43:29 PM
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Dear friends I need your help.
I am writing an article about disc brakes and I am struggling to find what were the first three microcars that used disc brakes for their front wheels.
From your vast knowledge of owning every model of microcar there have ever been, I hope that one of you can steer me in the right direction.
So far I have found only one dating back to 1957, but there must be others in the 1960's and 70's or later.
Thinking caps on guys
Chris Thomas
Rumcar News
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I submit the 1949 Crosley:
citation (http://crosleyautoclub.com/Crosley_Q-A.html#Brakes) 8)
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^ 1950 according to this Wiki article:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disc_brake
I had no idea that Disc brakes originated in 1890, but did know that the 1902 Lanchester was the first to use them.
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Dear Jim
Many thanks for the 1949 Crosley Hot Shot (they don't name cars like that any more). Unfortunately the Crosley engine is 724 cc which under UK microcar definition is not a microcar, but is according to US definition. It is a shame that within 6 months they were all converted back to drum brakes. A good try none the less.
Keep them coming. Remember I am asking for the first 3.
Chris Thomas
Rumcar News
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Marcus , easy to forget on this site but we are talking microcars and generally post war aren't we ?
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That's easy Chris, Alan Evan's Bamby from 1983, a true British microcar in every sense ;D
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Richard, I think the Hot Shot (mentioned in the Wiki article) may be beyond UK's definition because of its engine size, but is still "Rare" and "Unusual" enough to be included!
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The Bambi is a fairly recent microcar, surely there must have been some earlier than that, perhaps a German or Japanese vehicle.
Have no fear the Crosley will be included
Chris Thomas
Rumcar News
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The Norsja will beat the Bamby. Cannot date the use of disc, but by E reg they were on there, all round. I would plump for the change to Sachs engines, but it might have been an original feature going back into the '50's.
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Dear Al
Thanks for that I will do some digging on that one.
Chris Thomas
Rumcar News
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Dear Al
Cable operated disc brakes on all three wheels!!! They look very strange. Did the cable holders both move on a hinge pushing the pad onto the disc? or how did it work?
Chris Thomas
Rumcar news
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I am with the Crosley myself it's micro for me , Marcus it was you that brought up 1950 , 1890 and 1902 not me :)
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All's well, I just thought that the history of Disc Brakes, and how long it took for them to be made reliable enough is fascinating reading! IIRC the Crosley was featured in RCN quite a while ago.
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I like the Norska brakes. They actually lift off the disc when working correctly. No friction. The one here had a slight problem with one wheel and I never got it totally loose and supple. With 50cc you need every thimble full of power. Its really two levers in a frame. The cable working both levers, so the whole thing has to be able to move. Stuarts item should have the date they were refreshed. I think it was around 1965.