1913 Spacke Cyclecar Cyclecar

Fred W. Spacke was an early motoring pioneer who usually supplied others with vehicles rather than building his own. He founded the Spacke Machine Company which initially built air-cooled one- and two-cylinder engines, first for motorcycles and then for the 'Cyclecars'. His company was later sold, and by 1919, it was building its own cyclecar, one with an air-cooled engine offering 13 horsepower.

It is believed that this example was built in either 1912 or 1913. It is one of three known cars bearing the company's name and is believed to have pre-dated that creation. This car was once in the care of Henry Austin Clark Jr. who dated it as a 1912. A later owner, Mr. John Moir believes it was from 1913. The other two surviving Spackes in existence have full roadster-style bodywork. This example is very minimalistic, with two seats mounted to a single steel chassis, no fenders, and headlights as the only real ornamentation. This example may have been a prototype, or as Mr. Moir believed, 'built for someone's girlfriend.'

Mr. Moir purchased the Spacke from Dana Smith in 1992. At that time, it was painted green and cream, with signs that it had originally been red. It wore a plaque that stated it had been driven on the track at Indianapolis in 1959. Mr. Moir treated the car to a restoration and refinished it in an unusual deep mahogany, black leather upholstery, and subtle brass trim. Since the restoration was completed, it has been used sparingly.

This Spacke is powered by a 70.62 cubic-inch engine offering 13 horsepower. There is a two-speed planetary transmission with reverse, and rear-wheel mechanical brakes.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2014