Velocar cyclecar semi-replica.
- Thread starter Intrepid Wheelwoman
- Start date
This is cool: I managed to find a full-on side view of the little Quadrilette. I think it has nice lines. It has an interesting stance, higher in the back, but I imagine the second somebody sits in it the car would be level. They really aren't very big, are they?
Attachments
Annie,
From many decades ago, when we were watching on TV old wonderful film "Les Vacances de M. Hulot" (or "Mister Ilo's Holiday" ) - that cute automobile become our favorite (for my father, my brother and me), even we didn't know too much about old-timers, and nothing about cycle-cars... Unfortunately, my father never realised his dream to have something similar... There were similar veterans in Belgrade in early sixties, at back-yards and old grages, or we could build it using some original components and some modern. Probably that I wouldn’t either succeed in that... But, some people make replica of it: my old but now gone forever friend Peter Stevenson, known better by his Cycle-Karts! Just to make you more creative pains, I will attach a few photos of his magnificent automobile!
--- ---
However, I will support you in further work on project of making replica in a style of that cute Colombe/Villard replica. Just kidding, but you can always make “real” automobile: constructing four-wheel cycle-car from scratch, or reconstructing this unorthodox three-wheeler.
Ciao,
Zoran
From many decades ago, when we were watching on TV old wonderful film "Les Vacances de M. Hulot" (or "Mister Ilo's Holiday" ) - that cute automobile become our favorite (for my father, my brother and me), even we didn't know too much about old-timers, and nothing about cycle-cars... Unfortunately, my father never realised his dream to have something similar... There were similar veterans in Belgrade in early sixties, at back-yards and old grages, or we could build it using some original components and some modern. Probably that I wouldn’t either succeed in that... But, some people make replica of it: my old but now gone forever friend Peter Stevenson, known better by his Cycle-Karts! Just to make you more creative pains, I will attach a few photos of his magnificent automobile!
--- ---
However, I will support you in further work on project of making replica in a style of that cute Colombe/Villard replica. Just kidding, but you can always make “real” automobile: constructing four-wheel cycle-car from scratch, or reconstructing this unorthodox three-wheeler.
Ciao,
Zoran
Attachments
-----------------
[FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive]Curt, Well noticed! [/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive]Beside for smaller boats, some light (and not so small) air-planes were built in the same manner. Once, that construction was known as "[/FONT][FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive]De-Havillend[/FONT][FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive]" type of "[/FONT][FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive]monocoque fuselages[/FONT][FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive]" (plywood- box body). It was light, strong and relatively cheap, build-able at home. If has good wooden frame, with diagonal wooden sticks, plywood doesn't need to be thick. The best is if it is bended and twisted, much stronger that it is quite flat... Mentioned Stevensons made a lot of their Cycle-Karts using such method. In spite that some people think that such boxes should amplified all vibrations and sounds (as musical instruments), Stevensons were satisfied: cars were more silent and with less vibrations than other - metal constructed. They used to drive their cars in some kind of races over bad roads and up to speeds of 40 mph...[/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive]Some pictures are attached as illustration.[/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive]Ciao,[/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive]Zoran[/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive]Zoran[/FONT]
Attachments
Last edited:
More photos and more food for thought, Zoran. Some forty years ago I was seriously planning to build a cedar strip canoe. I love how they look and appreciate how the strips can be made to conform to just about any shape. And when finish sanded they are so beautiful. If I were to build a cyclecar that's how I would want to do it. Light weight, beautiful and strong. In my part of the world white cedar is part of the forest mix. But that is a daydream of an old man. Still, it is a nice daydream.
SB
SB
[FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive]Hello SB,[/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive][/FONT][FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive]Not only you (and me, too), dreamed about such body for for boat or auto – many people liked that and some of them built that! Beside mentioned qualities – it is one of the most beautiful bodies – from early days of motorisation. People like to build autos that look as boats or airplanes, and opposite.[/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive]Unfortunately, for me such project ask for too much patience, precision, dedication and time – that I never had enough, and now not at all! Results are magnificent, but... (always that BUT). For cycle-car, it could be made in some more modest way and still to look good (but not gorgeous).[/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive][/FONT][FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive]Not only you (and me, too), dreamed about such body for for boat or auto – many people liked that and some of them built that! Beside mentioned qualities – it is one of the most beautiful bodies – from early days of motorisation. People like to build autos that look as boats or airplanes, and opposite.[/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive]Unfortunately, for me such project ask for too much patience, precision, dedication and time – that I never had enough, and now not at all! Results are magnificent, but... (always that BUT). For cycle-car, it could be made in some more modest way and still to look good (but not gorgeous).[/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive]Ciao, Zoran[/FONT]
Attachments
[FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive]Hello Curt,[/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive]For the fist two decades of motorisation, entire bodies of luxurious automobiles were made of wood, in horse-drawn carriages style. But, they do not last too long on flexible chassis driven over bad roads. Soon, they started to disintegrate, but the first they started to squeak quite annoying. When wood panels were replaced by steel or aluminium, situation was better but frames still made problems, until was invented “[/FONT][FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive]Weymann[/FONT][FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive]” construction. With it, wooden parts are not in direct contact, but are connected by metal joints. So, frames become stronger but still elastic. They could be covered by leather (luxurious models) or fabric (something more modest) – and later impregnated and painted. Wooden frames were used trough entire period between World wars and even later, by German Loyd factory – and now, still for Morgan bodies...[/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive]You are right – Ford used metal plates over wooden frames, but later made complete metal bodies. [/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive]For us – everything is possible, if isn't too expensive, but the best is just to have chassis without much body at all (discussed double-bicycle’s style). Maybe later to add something that we like...[/FONT][FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive]Ciao, Zoran[/FONT]
Attachments
YEP! What was Kool about old Henery Ford was the fact that all his supplys were shiped in specialy made create's and pallets made to his specks. They had to be just the right wood. So when taken apart they were the wood for the body's.
Kool pictures the first look a lot like model A Ford. Kool with the fold down roof part............Curt
Kool pictures the first look a lot like model A Ford. Kool with the fold down roof part............Curt
Ciao Annie,
I will abuse your hospitality and announced here opening of new thread that could be interesting to us all...
As many of us are interested in stronger wheels, cheap as possible, I opened special thread for that under name "WHEELS for velocars, velomobiles and other multi-wheelers" in our sub-forum "Motorized Tandems, Trikes and Recumbent Bicycles". Maybe we could gathered there interesting ideas, without strangling too much this one...
Ciao,
Zoran
I will abuse your hospitality and announced here opening of new thread that could be interesting to us all...
As many of us are interested in stronger wheels, cheap as possible, I opened special thread for that under name "WHEELS for velocars, velomobiles and other multi-wheelers" in our sub-forum "Motorized Tandems, Trikes and Recumbent Bicycles". Maybe we could gathered there interesting ideas, without strangling too much this one...
Ciao,
Zoran
Thanks for the Scott pictures Zoran 
I was busy this morning cleaning up cardboard for recycling when the thought suddenly struck me that I could build a velocar bodyshell from cardboard! Yes I know it sounds strange, but bear with me. Among my old French 'System D' magazines there is one that contains an article on how to build a velocar/cyclecar bodyshell from heavyweight brown wrapping paper. (System D is what the French call DIY)
Something that I seem to be constantly bundling up is empty cereal boxes and the cardboard they are made from is very nice indeed. I've used this cardboard for modelmaking before now with excellent results and really a velocar is just like a model only it's bigger.
Here's a modern take on the idea..... http://designtaxi.com/news/357678/A-Concept-For-A-Lightweight-Disposable-Cardboard-Car/?interstital_shown=1
But of course I will be aiming for something that looks more like it's from the 1920's. My test subject will be my delta trike by the way.
I was busy this morning cleaning up cardboard for recycling when the thought suddenly struck me that I could build a velocar bodyshell from cardboard! Yes I know it sounds strange, but bear with me. Among my old French 'System D' magazines there is one that contains an article on how to build a velocar/cyclecar bodyshell from heavyweight brown wrapping paper. (System D is what the French call DIY)
Something that I seem to be constantly bundling up is empty cereal boxes and the cardboard they are made from is very nice indeed. I've used this cardboard for modelmaking before now with excellent results and really a velocar is just like a model only it's bigger.
Here's a modern take on the idea..... http://designtaxi.com/news/357678/A-Concept-For-A-Lightweight-Disposable-Cardboard-Car/?interstital_shown=1
But of course I will be aiming for something that looks more like it's from the 1920's. My test subject will be my delta trike by the way.
I don't want to rain on your parade, but my friend JC, as a packaging engineer, investigated building a racing sidecar outfit from cardboard, and came to the conclusion it had no long term practicality, due to the fibres separating, and turning a rigid structure into a large brown paper bag.
Any body that you build will need stabilising against vibration and stretching
if you use it.
Any body that you build will need stabilising against vibration and stretching
if you use it.
I'm going to use what is called 'rabbit cage mesh' as an underlying support structure (10mm square galvanized mesh). The main ribs will be plywood. Fortunately the Frenchman who wrote the original article seemed to be well aware of the 'brown paper bag effect'
------------------------------------------I'm going to use what is called 'rabbit cage mesh' as an underlying support structure (10mm square galvanized mesh). The main ribs will be plywood. Fortunately the Frenchman who wrote the original article seemed to be well aware of the 'brown paper bag effect'
[FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive]Hello Annie, [/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive]It seems to me that they used cardboard composite not just for body but for everything – entire monocoque shell, seats – and wheels! (this I would make of plywood if want some DIY cheap wheels)... Beside, that looks to me just as computer show-off – not real thing. There was one more serious project, making monocoque shall for three-wheeler (better than quadricycle – no torsional forces on shell) – but with a lot of epoxy, filling and wax. Sorry, couldn't find it now... Not looked to me as some good way to save of money: epoxy and everything over it is the most expensive part of any fiberglass construction...[/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive]But, if you consider something as we discussed before: so-called “paper-mache”, or “cashe” as we call that – it would be cheap. Only, labour wasting – but most of us have time and it is free? I would use simple water-resistant glue for wood and over surface some good house-paint. [/FONT][FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive]Of course – only for shell – not for structural components.[/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive]If it didn't last long – you could replace it with anything you want (vinil fabric, pollytarp, tent-fabric?).
[/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive]Ciao,[/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS, cursive]Zoran
http://microship.com/resources/cardboard-core-composites.html
http://www.autospeed.com/cms/article.html?&A=112917 [/FONT]
Thanks Zoran Definitely no epoxy or any other expensive magic potion stuff will be used on this project as I want to try to get back to the methods that were used in wartime and post war Europe to create simple but effective modes of transport. The solemn promises I made when I became a third order Franciscan (third orders do 'promises' not vows) included simplicity and with petrol and car running costs being so high here in New Zealand I want to explore real alternatives that anyone of slender means could build in their own backyard.
Paper-mache? - Yes that's definitely on the list for me to experiment with Zoran. I want to try paper and thin cardboard layering methods too. The Colombe/Intrepid cyclecar is going to be built with a plywood body, so I thought it would be interesting to build up the lighter delta trike with a paper/cardboard bodyshell
Money I don't have, time I do and I've always liked handcraft type projects.
An example of wot I mean (not mine).
Definitely no epoxy or any other expensive magic potion stuff will be used on this project as I want to try to get back to the methods that were used in wartime and post war Europe to create simple but effective modes of transport. The solemn promises I made when I became a third order Franciscan (third orders do 'promises' not vows) included simplicity and with petrol and car running costs being so high here in New Zealand I want to explore real alternatives that anyone of slender means could build in their own backyard.Paper-mache? - Yes that's definitely on the list for me to experiment with Zoran. I want to try paper and thin cardboard layering methods too. The Colombe/Intrepid cyclecar is going to be built with a plywood body, so I thought it would be interesting to build up the lighter delta trike with a paper/cardboard bodyshell
Money I don't have, time I do and I've always liked handcraft type projects.
An example of wot I mean (not mine).
Hello Annie,
You are now in 2015th year and we have to wait 4 hours for that!
Enjoy in celebrations and in life!
Zoran
The weather here has been unpleasantly humid and just to top if off I've been laid low with a very upset digestive system for the past few days which means I haven't been able to do very much at all.
One bright spot in amongst feeling awful and having to make sudden dashes down the hall has been the arrival of a copy of 'The Restoration of Vintage & Thoroughbred Cars' by Richard Morgan and Brian Wheatly. A nice tidy and lightly handled first edition from 1957.
Back when I was a young teenager our local library had a copy of this book and I spent many a joyous hour pouring over it's pages. I could quite honestly say that it was a significant influence on me and paved the way for a life spent with grubby fingernails and spanners in hand. What I loved about this book was that it was written in a time when old cars were just that and they hadn't yet become expensive collectors items. According to Mr Morgan and Mr Wheatly wonderful cars were to be found parked under hedges everywhere and for little money they could be yours. To my delight I discovered this was true and as a result I had the great good fortune to own and work on some delightful motorcars at a time when it actually was possible to fully repair a car with ordinary handtools
What I really like about this book is how it is written in the quite charming English of the 1950s by two gentlemen who enjoy having a jolly good spot of fun with old motorcars. The other reason I like this book so much is that it explains with the aid of beautifully clear line drawings how to set up and repair things in the correct and proper fashion.
Later editions of this wonderful book can still be found on-line. Amazon listed some 1963 editions last time I checked.
One bright spot in amongst feeling awful and having to make sudden dashes down the hall has been the arrival of a copy of 'The Restoration of Vintage & Thoroughbred Cars' by Richard Morgan and Brian Wheatly. A nice tidy and lightly handled first edition from 1957.
Back when I was a young teenager our local library had a copy of this book and I spent many a joyous hour pouring over it's pages. I could quite honestly say that it was a significant influence on me and paved the way for a life spent with grubby fingernails and spanners in hand. What I loved about this book was that it was written in a time when old cars were just that and they hadn't yet become expensive collectors items. According to Mr Morgan and Mr Wheatly wonderful cars were to be found parked under hedges everywhere and for little money they could be yours. To my delight I discovered this was true and as a result I had the great good fortune to own and work on some delightful motorcars at a time when it actually was possible to fully repair a car with ordinary handtools
What I really like about this book is how it is written in the quite charming English of the 1950s by two gentlemen who enjoy having a jolly good spot of fun with old motorcars. The other reason I like this book so much is that it explains with the aid of beautifully clear line drawings how to set up and repair things in the correct and proper fashion.
Later editions of this wonderful book can still be found on-line. Amazon listed some 1963 editions last time I checked.