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1964 Scootacar MKII


The Scootacar was developed in 1957 by the Hunslet Ergine Works of Leeds, Yorkshire, ÚK, by Henry Brown. This company also manufactured railroad locomotives. The Scootacar was designed to be a weatherproof alternative to the motorcycle. By 1960 popularity of this car demanded a deluxe version referred to as the Mark II. This 3-wheeled micro car features a seat design that allows the driver plus 2 passengers, each of which sits on either side of the engine. The engine is a 197cc, single-cylinder, 2-stroke. This microcar costs 254 British Pounds. The engine is mated to a four-speed manual transmission. It is capable of 49 to 55 mph top speed and costs 255 British pounds new.

The designer, Henry Brown, would sit astride the engine while an assistant drew a chalk outline on the floor.

This three-wheeled microcar is very tall at five feet and features a narrow, fiberglass body with a bulbous front end and a more elongated tail than the MK I. The redesigned seat allows for two passengers - one on each side of the driver.

by lanemotormuseum.org; Ault Park Concours

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 Dan Vaughan