In the early 1900s the automobile was still in its infancy. Which – like any industry in its early phase – meant lots of small companies and even individuals giving it a go. Cue the ‘cyclecar’, an ultra-light, simple, cheap motor vehicle constructed from motorcycle and bicycle components. Such machines were magnificently basic yet surprisingly capable, with some taking part in races over hundreds of kilometres.
Such was the pace of automobile development however, that very few cyclecars survive today, with the class being killed off by mass-produced vehicles such as the Austin 7 and Ford Model-T.
Which leads us neatly on to today’s model, which in true cyclecar tradition is constructed only from the parts of something else, in this case the official LEGO Icons 11376 Ford Model T set. It’s also recreation of a recreation, replicating a real cyclecar that was built in 1995 by vintage specialist Tim Gunn who used the directions contained within the 1913 book ‘How to Build a Cyclecar’. Named the ‘Grafton’, it’s powered by a vintage 300cc JAP motorcycle racing engine, has an ash wood frame, and has regularly appeared at events such as Goodwood, recapturing what many men-in-sheds were building nearly a century before.
The lovely brick-built replica of Tim’s cyclecar recreation we have here is the work of SIM CAMAT of Flickr, who has repurposed the pieces from the 11376 donor set beautifully. Working steering, a life-like engine, and impeccable presentation all feature, with more of the model to see at SIM’s photostream where instructions are available too, so just like Tim you can build your very own cyclecar at home.
