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Briggs & Stratton medicine delivery. (UPDATE IV: more about Prince Bira)

Hans 'Hisso' Veenenbos is always digging for old Hispano-Suiza photo materials. His most recent find is this medicine delivery boy motorised with a fifth wheel aid by Briggs & Stratton (correct?). Hans can tell us very little about the picture. Except that the photo was taken in Siam (Thailand/Burma), probably no relative of another Siam pilot, Prince Bira. Click for a close up of mother & child of the 'hystrix cristata' in the back of the Auto red Bug. Whatever a 'histrix' in English is, it is still not close to the 'Hisso' photos Hans is looking for. Do you have some in your archive, then please let us know. [email protected]
UPDATE IV by John Robins:"You refer to the first wife of the prince as "Cyril". In fact her name was Ceril, Cyril being a rather out of date English male name. Anyone interested in the racing record of Prince Bira and the White Mouse Stable should try and find books written pre-war by Prince Chula, such as "Road Racing 1936" "Blue and Yellow" "Road Star Hat Trick" and "Wheels at Speed". As well as covering the racing and the array of cars used, the books are a fascinating insight into the lives of the well off amateur sportsmen of the time."
UPDATE III: Jeff Lee adds to our knowledge:"The rear 5th wheel is a drive by a reduction gear from the engine crankshaft mounted in the support arm. The rear wheel is lowered and DOES touch the ground to push the 4 wheel car. The wheel is raised to stop, lowered to go. The Smith Flyer and Brigg's & Stratton Red Bug were advertised as both the cheapest and smallest street legal licensable car in the United States when new. This Briggs & Stratton design was purchased from the original Smith Motor Wheel and Smith Flyer, which itself was a derivative of the Wall Auto Wheel from England."
UPDATE II by Paul Linster who does not agree at all that the Briggs & Stratton engine is not a fifth wheel like Dick Trenk just has learned us. Paul also delivers the visual proof of the fifht wheel with this link to Microcar.org. Here you can also see the handle with which you can lift the fifth wheel when necessary; or is this contraption meant to be 'the clutch'...?
Update I by Dick Trenk:"The so called "5th wheel" you think is at the rear is not actually a wheel but is the engine housing complete with fuel tank on top and belt driven fan . Although it is large in diameter it does NOT touch the ground. The power comes off the engine crankshaft via a belt to a suitable size pully integral with the rear axle shaft, giving one speed ratio forward only.. There is no differential action and the engine has a centrifugal clutch to gradually engage the live axle when revs come up enough. This is similar to scooters and other simple vehicles. There is no reverse gearing used or needed with such light vehicles. Prince Bira would say this is no ERA Hanuman !"

Publiziert:
Sonntag Oktober 15th, 2006

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