1913 Imp Cyclecar

Cyclecars are rare and uncommon, but they have been in the automobile since nearly the inception of the automobile. In England, they were a way to avoid taxes, and in the United States, they were a welcomed alternative to the larger cars of the day. The tandem seating allowed for two individuals, and the lightweight design allowed for low-powered engines that rewarded the owners with excellent fuel mileage.

The Imp Cyclecar was produced from 1913 through 1915. These belt-driven vehicles were powered by motorcycle-like engines. The vee-twin 15-horsepower air-cooled engine was mated to a friction transmission. The car had a wheelbase of 100 inches and weighed a mere 600 pounds.

The Imp Cyclecar was William B. Stout's first automotive venture. He would later build the Ford Tri-Motor airplane and the Stout Scarab. The Imp was his first idea, and he sold it to the McIntyre Company. The W.H. Mcintyre Company set up a new division, the Imp Cyclecar Company.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2010