Cyclecars

From Cyclecar to Grand Sport

From 7 July to 3 September 2023, the Louwman Museum was dedicated to Cyclecars and Grand Sports. No fewer than 30 vehicles offered a magnificent overview of mobility in the period from 1914 to 1930, an era in which minimalist, fragile vehicles could grow into thoroughbred racers that even competed in Grand Prix events.

After the First World War there was a shortage of almost everything in Europe. To promote mobility, several European countries introduced favorable taxes on cars weighing a maximum of 350 kilos and with an engine capacity of 1100 cc. These so called cyclecars offered space for no more than 3 people. Small factories, workshops, garages and sheds sprang up everywhere, where an enormous variety of small vehicles was produced. In Paris and the surrounding area alone there were already more than 100 large and small car manufacturers.

The small vehicles that complied with the cyclecar legislation often had very sporty characteristics thanks to their low weight and relatively powerful engines. Every cyclecar brand therefore had its own special racing version.

Not all cars in the 1920s left the factory with a body already fitted. Independent coachbuilders also created handmade bodies for them. Naturally, these followed the latest fashion. One example was the wooden skiff: a very luxurious and sporty body style that was extremely popular in the exuberant 1920s – the era of the Charleston. A skiff mainly appealed to (wealthy) young people. It was a little voiturette for the happy few!

The exhibition showed the evolution from a very simple cyclecar to a full fledged racing car fitted with all kinds of sometimes unusual bodywork.

Tamplin, 1921
Self supporting body made of fiberboard

D'Yrsan race, 1928
Sabotaged in the Spa GP 1932

Bedelia BD2, 1913
The mother of all cyclecars

Bedelia BD2 MG, 1913
First French cyclecar

Lombard AL3 Grand Prix, 1927
Built for racing

Amilcar CC skiff, 1923
Very chic and very sporty

Salmson VAL 3, 1926 / Salmson VAL series 3, 1926
Luxury and comfort

Villard Cyclecar Type 27, 1924
Minimalist, yet highly advanced

Bignan AL22, 1922
A Salmson in disguise

Salmson GS8-GSS GP, 1928
Unique example with double overhead camshafts

Sandford GS, 1927
290 kilos and 140 km/h!

Amilcar CC, 1921
Still in its first paint

Amilcar CGSs, 1927
Agile, yet also (relatively) comfortable and reliable.

Amilcar CGS Duval Coupe, 1926
Unique model designed by Charles Duval

Peugeot Bebe, 1913
A real Bugatti

Mauser single-track car, 1923
A two-wheeled 'car'

Morgan Runabout Deluxe, 1922
Original with electric lighting and starter

Amilcar Torpedo C4C, 1922
Original four-seat version

Salmson AL3, 1923
Completely original but fully restored

Senechal cyclecar 7 HP, 1924
Top speed of 90 km/h with only 7 hp

Salmson San Sebastian Grand Prix, 1926
Still original and never fully restored

BNC 529 SPA, 1929
Participant in the 1936 Bol dOr endurance race

Austin 7 Sports Ulster TT, 1930 / Austin ES Sport, 1930
The first British car to succeed in the Mille Miglia

Amilcar C6 Course Cliente, 1931
First in its class at Mont Ventoux in 1932

Amilcar CGS Grandsport, 1925
Has had an active life in England

Benjamin Torpedo Type C, 1921
One of the few American cyclecars

Tricycle car Gillet, 1937
From motorcycle to lightweight cyclecar

Amilcar CGS3, 1926
Remarkable Dutch history

Sima Violet
A remarkable cyclecar

Bedelia
Great adaptability