RUMCars Forum
General Category => Unusual Microcar Discussion => Topic started by: richard on December 21, 2014, 07:38:19 PM
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some time ago we touched on this prototype built by the Stevenage motorcycle factory of Vincent , that Rob had been aware of at an East Sussex museum , I dont think we ever saw any pics did we ? Anyway here is one - fine looking car .Actually on reflection perhaps we did ? anyway worth another look - imaginative reversal of headlamp bowls , how illuminating
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I love it! Quite comparable to Berkeley. Did it have a Vincent engine and what size?
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well i only associate Vincent with their big powerful 500cc singles and 1000cc V twins , or possible the licenced 50cc cyclemotor Vincent Firefly but I think we may rule that out on this occasion ;) , I dont think we ever came up with any details did we ?
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Aluminium body initially powered by the 998cc Rapide V twin and later by the Black lighning.It had no electric starter, no reverse gear or weather protection. It was over before it started. 117mph!!!
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Here's a few more details - road test from Motor Cycling December 13th 1956
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With no reverse, weather protection or electric starter it is clearly not a very practical machine, but it sounds like a really nice small sports car. A bit over accepted engine size for RUM, but 3 wheels and rare and unusual see it included in my opinion! A real shame they never developed it and put it into production. Did this prototype survive?
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Hi Marcus , the last time we mentioned this car Rob Dobie said that in the 70's it was in a motor museum in Polegate where he lived . If you use the search function for Vincent you will see Rob posted the address - of course it may no longer be there but ...
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Cheers Richard! I've been so busy that i have not called in here much and have missed plenty. Hope to be around more next year!
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So going back to Powerdrives. This is more like what it could have been, though the engine might now be a bit large. Better looking body on the Powerdrive. Its the old trike prob of reverse gear availability on a ex motorcycle engine, and the preference for electric start. What engine options were there at the time. Not many.
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Well the obvious choice was to go the Albion reverse gearbox as Berkeley used as they did the Royal Enfield 750 engine . If serious Vincent would have used their still potent 500 single with separate Albion box , but this doesn't get around the kick start - I doubt they were ever very serious about it really
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A hand start would have breached the need to not be seated. But I think it would have not been acceptable to potential buyers. So your right.
Albion seems happy to take the power from the Enfield in tuned state, so while its not the most sophisticated gear change, it certainly cuts the mustard.
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Vincent special , sorry straying off topic , WOW
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Hey, there's even a kit for one of these on Ebay at the moment.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221637512356?ru=http%3A%2F%2F (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221637512356?ru=http%3A%2F%2F)
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Strewth mate! Tiger prices. Where was that Powerdrive again?
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I hadn't expected to see this in a 1950s motorcycling publication:
Did we drift? Beautiful! And absolutely no suggestion of wheel lift or desire to turn turtle; just glorious tyre scream.
Which shows that the current small boys' (and young men's) obsession that a high performance vehicle is one that can overcome its traction limits isn't a new idea.
But then I think limiting tyre grip in a fast vehicle that could turn over is a fairly safe idea.
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That is true. By having crossplys the grip is never really to much on most of the Microcars, Most do not offer sporty handling either, not part of the original idea. But a Schmitt will three wheel drift if you have gained the feel of it. Rather than braking you can loose the speed by some drift. Perhaps not a game to play if you have a £15k plus car representing a major investment, but there we are. Put the same cars in radials with added grip and this form of fun is lost as the tyres outperform the car in many cases. which will suit those who do not want to drive like a loony. Nutters have other diversions like lawn mower racing, karting and even cabbage fields to entertain themselves. Time was.
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Nutters have other diversions like lawn mower racing, karting and even cabbage fields to entertain themselves.
My work takes me out into the wilds of Northumberland where gritters are unknown, so I have winter tyres on my car. They offer unbelievably good straight line wet grip but poor wet cornering grip. So driving fast-ish on winter tyres in the wet is another thing that us nutters can do. Surprisingly, it doesn't seem to cause much wear - not for the lack of trying....