What is cyclecars?

Cyclecars were small, lightweight, and affordable vehicles that were popular in Europe during the early 20th century. They were a precursor to modern microcars and were often built by small-scale manufacturers. Cyclecars were designed to be cheap to produce, easy to maintain, and fun to drive.

Most cyclecars had a basic layout, with a single-cylinder engine mounted between the two front wheels, and chain or belt drive to the rear wheels. They were typically powered by a motorcycle engine with a displacement of around 500cc. This made them fast and maneuverable, but also limited their top speed to around 50mph.

Cyclecars were popular in the UK, France, and Germany during the 1920s and 1930s. They appealed to drivers who wanted an economical and exciting alternative to larger, more expensive cars. However, their popularity waned as larger and more powerful cars became more affordable.

Today, cyclecars are mostly forgotten relics of early automotive history. However, they played an important role in the development of small cars and helped to popularize the idea of affordable, practical transportation for the masses.