1964 Scootacar MKII

History

The Microcar became very popular in Post War Europe where a need arose for inexpensive transportation that was rugged, durable, had adequate seating, and could be sold to the masses. Motorcycles and mopeds filled part of the demand, while microcars picked up where they left off, adding a bit more comfort, convenience, and safety, especially during the winter months.

Hunslet Engine Works had built a successful company as a locomotive builder. The legend has it that the wife of the owner wanted a car that was easy to park. Henry Brown was tasked with creating the design. He had expertise in this area, as he had worked on the small Rodley car. The design began with a Villiers engine and a body was created around it.

The first iteration of the car was known as the Mark I. It had three wheels and seating for two. The driver and passenger straddled a bench in a similar fashion to a scooter. The body was formed from fiberglass and had a large door on the left side. It had a very unorthodox shape and a height that measured five feet.

A second version appeared in 1959, this was known as the Mark II. It was a totally redesigned creation with a larger body shell and seating for three. The driver sat in the front with two passengers sitting in the rear, atop an angled bench seat. Under the bench was the two-stroke motor that displaced 1974 cc. The 8.5 horsepower unit was capable of carrying the car to 50 mph. Production of the MKII continued for several years with only 130 examples ever produced.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2008