Scootacar
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Scootacar | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Manufacturer | Scootacars Ltd |
| Parent company | Hunslet Engine Company |
| Production | 1957-65 130 produced[1] |
| Class | Microcar |
| Body style(s) | 1-door 2-seater |
| Engine(s) | Villiers 9E 197 cc single cylinder 2-stroke (Mark I, Mark II; 55 mph (89 km/h) top speed) 250 cc twin (Mark III; 68 mph (109 km/h) top speed) |
| Transmission(s) | 4 speed manual[1] |
Scootacar was a British three wheeled microcar built in Leeds by Scootacars Ltd a division of the railway locomotive builder, the Hunslet Engine Company between 1957 and 1964.
It was allegedly built because the wife of one of the directors wanted something easier to park than her Jaguar. The shape of the car was designed by Henry Brown who did it by sitting on a Villiers engine and then having an assistant draw an outline around him. The body was built in glass fibre and was very tall for its size being 60 in (1524 mm) high, 87 in (2210 mm) long and only 52 in (1321 mm) wide. It was nicknamed "the telephone booth". Two people could be carried with a passenger behind the driver or alternatively just squeezed in alongside. Power came from a Villiers 9E 197 cc single cylinder 2 stroke engine coupled to a four speed motorcycle type gearbox and chain drive to the single rear wheel. Steering was by handlebars. The top speed was 50 miles per hour (80 km/h).
In 1960 came the De Luxe or Mark 2, with a totally redesigned body with more room and seating for three, but it appeared too late to sell in any great numbers. It had a top speed of 55 mph (89 km/h) and sold for 275 British Pounds.[1]
In 1961 the De Luxe Twin Mark 3 cars appeared fitted with a 250 cc twin giving a top speed of 68 mph (109 km/h).
Production stopped in 1964 after a total of about 1000 Scootacars were made, but only about 20-30 had the larger engine.
[edit] External references
- ^ a b c 1964 SCOOTACAR MK II DE LUXE. Lane Motor Museum.
