![\"\"](\"https:\/\/krissmotors.com\/aero\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Butler-cyclecar.png\")
<\/a>1880s Butler cyclecar<\/p><\/div>\n
The reverse tricycle configuration, a natural progression from the human-powered bicycle, was first conceived by the Englishman Edward Butler in 1884, two years before Karl Benz invented the first automobile. This early cyclecar<\/em> (today often referred to as an autocycle<\/em>) was powered by a remarkable experimental 600cc water-cooled flat twin four stroke engine.<\/p>\n Henry Frederick Stanley Morgan was the first to commercialize the reverse tricycle<\/em> at the November 1910 International Motor Cycle Show held in London. Marketed as the “Morgan Runabout” and powered by a single cylinder four-horsepower engine, the concept caught on quickly.<\/p>\n By 1912, the cyclecar<\/em> movement had achieved enough traction for Morgan to found a company with his father and begin manufacturing in earnest. From its early racing heritage, technological improvements resulted in the 1928 Super Sport Aero<\/em> that Morgan claimed was “the fastest three-wheeler in the world”. <\/p>\n Powered by a V-twin engine and a 2-speed gearbox, the Aero could achieve speeds of 80 MPH, very impressive given that most cars on the road struggled to reach 50 MPH. Between 1928 and 1931, the Super Sport Aero emerged in various formats and design variations, but the one that most reflects early automotive history sported the J.A.P. engine, a distinctive louvered enclosed beetleback<\/em> rear, full circular front mudguards, and straight back side exhaust pipes.<\/p>\n Morgan classic V-twin two-seat 3-wheelers (many variants were built; images are representative only)<\/p><\/div>\n The Super Sport Aero, the first Morgan to have a fully enclosed rear wheel, is now considered the apex of the vintage style with prominent headlights, large front spoke wheels, and its sleek wrap-around body. In 1933, despite the impact of the Great Depression, Morgan introduced a standardized chassis with detachable 18-inch wheels called the Sports model with a 3-speed gearbox and barrelback rear end designed to hold a spare wheel.<\/p>\n 1933 Morgan Super Sport Aero three-wheeler with a V-twin Matchless engine (the “M” isn’t for Morgan)<\/p><\/div>\n Plagued by economic hardship and the limitations of various engine suppliers, Morgan experimented with a new Ford-powered Model F in 1934. A fire destroyed the coach building shop at the Morgan works in 1936, and a few months later Morgan lost his father who had been the company chairman. By 1938, production fell to only 110 three-wheelers before the onset of wartime restrictions quickly brought the original cyclecar era to an end.<\/p>\n A number of vendors have redesigned cyclecars with new technology in the classic style, led by the venerable Morgan Company that is still in business. <\/p>\n Morgan<\/a> relaunched the 3-wheeler in 2011 with an S&S 1998cc V-twin engine coupled to a Mazda 5-speed gearbox (while production has now ceased, a new inline-3 version has been announced for 2022). A recent August 2021 auction of a 2015 Morgan on Bring A Trailer<\/a> went for $42,550. View Jay Leno’s review<\/a> of a 2014 Morgan 3-wheeler. Relaunched Morgan 3-wheeler with the classic Super Sport Aero design<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n In all, Morgan built about 2,550 M3Ws between 2011 and 2021 (about 250 per year, or roughly 25% of Morgan’s total annual vehicle production). <\/p>\n Bottom line<\/strong>: to longer in production.<\/p>\n Pembleton V-Sport with “exposed” engine<\/p><\/div>\n The Pembleton Motor Company<\/a> has manufactured about 500 aluminum body cyclecars — both complete and in kit form — resembling the Morgan Sports and Super Sport Aero since 1999 (about 25 per year). <\/p>\n Based on the 4-speed Citro\u00ebn CV2 transaxle, these front wheel drive cyclecars have in-board front disc brakes supported by a Citro\u00ebn-like front suspension system. As a result, the V-twin engine is “exposed” since the block rests on a bottom ladder chassis design. This minimalist structure results in a very low curb weight — under 660 lbs — enabling the less powerful 50 HP Moto Guzzi engine from the V7 III Stone model to generate a 100 MPH top speed.<\/p>\n Bottom line<\/strong>: a used Citro\u00ebn CV2 transaxle is increasingly difficult to source.<\/p>\n Triking Type 4 “modernized” cyclecar<\/p><\/div>\n The Triking<\/a> “modernizes” the cyclecar concept by streamlining the body and substituting fiberglass for the traditional aluminum. <\/p>\n Powered by post-2010 Moto Guzzi V-twin engines — either the popular 1100 or 1200cc sizes — the Triking adopts the recent mono shock Guzzi swing arm together with a hydraulic clutch and 5-speed gearbox (plus reverse). Available in either fully built or kit configurations, the front of the Type 4 is decidedly futuristic.<\/p>\n The Triking is heavier than the Pembleton — about 860 lbs curb weight — with a considerably wider track than the vintage specification; 1670mm to 1750mm track width options versus about 1300mm found in classic models. <\/p>\n Bottom line<\/strong>: body design and vehicle track departs from the vintage appearance.<\/p>\n JZR cyclecar circa 2000<\/p><\/div>\n Launched in the 1980\u2019s by John Ziemba Restorations in Lancashire, UK, as a Morgan replica kit, this design was powered by various engines including the Honda CX, Moto Guzzi, Honda Pan European, and Harley Davidson. A steel chassis enclosed with a fiberglass bonnet and rear section closely followed the vintage Morgan Aero design. The front suspension and brakes, based on a Chevrolet Chevette, utilized tubular A arms and coil over shocks and were mated to a Ford Escort MK2 rack and pinion steering rack. Approximately 320 JZR kits were produced.<\/p>\n Bottom line<\/strong>: company is apparently no longer operating.<\/p>\n Japster replica (2012-14)<\/p><\/div>\n Built on a Triking chassis, the Japster was powered by a bespoke 85-hp V-twin with a BMW bevel gear and Ford Mark 9 five-speed gearbox. This unique engine, a period correct re-creation of the 1920s J.A.P. JTO, featured a 1300cc block with thicker crankcases, ceramic-coated bores, and specialty castings from the same company that pioneered the original J.A.P. design. Curiously, while the Japster engine may be the closest historical match to original Morgans, Prestwich chose a cockpit and body design that departed significantly from the vintage look. <\/p>\n Bottom line<\/strong>: production ceased in 2014.<\/p>\n Traditionally styled Rayner Aero<\/p><\/div>\n Arthur Rayner’s Aero Merlin<\/a> was closely based on the Morgan Super Sport Aero. Like the Triking, the engine choice is the big block range of Moto Guzzi V-twins.<\/p>\n Rayner’s chassis used a space frame MIG-welded design with a robust front end that supported a twin wishbone suspension and rear wheel drive via the Guzzi swing arm and bevel gear. The body featured louvered aluminum panels with chrome fittings combined with fiberglass front scuttle, rear cover, and mudguards.<\/p>\n Bottom line<\/strong>: activity ceased in 2021.<\/p>\n The key to rejuvenating the vintage cyclecar in the style of the Morgan Super Sport Aero centers around the engine: the distinctive V-twin is a must.<\/p>\n NO V-TWIN: Ford inline-3 in Morgan’s 2022 M3W?<\/p><\/div>\n The Morgan Company has struggled with this signature feature. Their revitalized 2011 model (M3W) retained the classic exposed engine look, but because regulatory approval of the S&S engine terminated in 2021, Morgan had to cease production. <\/p>\n Meanwhile, Morgan’s electric<\/em> 3-wheeler concept (EV3) failed for technical reasons after four years of development presenting Morgan with an uncomfortable engine quandary, a sort of deja vu<\/em> given Morgan’s frequent engine swap experiments in the 1920-38 period. <\/p>\n The new 2023 Morgan 3-wheeler is powered by Ford’s inline 3-cylinder, probably a modified 1.0L EcoBoost Fox turbocharged engine. This choice has huge exterior design implications since the lovely V-twin exposed frame is gone! To enclose the tower-like Fox substitute, the front of the body must be completed covered. <\/p>\n Morgan Super 3 with enclosed engine<\/p><\/div>\n In fact, early Morgan design sketches<\/a> telegraphed this direction as Morgan evolves away from the classic V-twin look, a big risk for the company that has long defined what the 3-wheeler should be.<\/p>\nMorgan three-wheeler<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a>Cyclecar reborn<\/h2>\n
Morgan M3W<\/h3>\n
\n<\/a>Pembleton<\/h3>\n
<\/a>Triking<\/h3>\n
<\/a>JZR<\/h3>\n
<\/a>J. A. Prestwich Japster<\/h3>\n
<\/a>Aero Merlin<\/h3>\n
<\/a>V-twin engine tradition<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/a>