Amilcar CC

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The French car industry was a thriving place in the years after the First world War, with garagistes on every street corner turning out cycle-cars and light cars in response to booming consumer demand.

One of the more successful companies was founded in 1921 by Joseph Lamy and Emile Akar, whose surnames were Gallicly anagramised (Is that really a word? - Ed) to form the company name: Amilcar.

Early Amilcars were spindly little devices weighing less than 350Kg (770lbs) in order to conform to government tax breaks for the cycle-car class. Their engines – four cylinder side-valves not exceeding 1,100cc - were surprisingly robust and Amilcar enjoyed numerous competition successes in long distance events as well as hill-climbs and circuit racing.

This 1924 Amilcar epitomises these early models, although the body is a recent creation by the current owner using an ash framework with ‘doped’ muslin over plywood panels. The engine has recently been rebuilt and the gearbox and back axle have also been overhauled. The car also has newly-rebuilt wheels, new tyres and new upholstery.

The 902cc engine has the benefit of an electric starter motor in addition to the starting handle and although it has electric lighting it is currently without a dynamo. However this did not prevent it participating in the recent VSCC Light Car and Edwardian Section weekend at Llandrindod Wells. A dynamo will be supplied with the car and the new owner will have to decide whether the convenience of a generator will off-set the imposition of all the additional weight and complexity!