Clown Car info needed!

[canucktruck]

A friend has purchased what he thinks is a circus clown car. Sorry no pic but here's what I can tell you.

Its a very short wheelbase, about half the size of an austin. The frame is cast from bronze as are the 4 wheels which weigh about 50 pounds each. the engine is a 4 cylinder that looks to be of British origin and the tranny has WARNER cast into it. The rear is suspended on 2 leaf springs pivotting at the front (not sure if thats called 1/4 elliptical)

The body looks like a vintage 30's sedan.

I just looked at the chassis today and didnt get any pics but will update if I do. Any info appreciated. We are very curious as to who would cast a bronze chassis and if may actually be a prototype vehicle or something similar

[Dave Mellor NJ]

Clown cars I've seen had the rear axle moved as far forward as possible to allow reconnection to the trans output. This would put them right behind the front door or partially under the door on a 30s sedan and they would have little wheels on the back edge of the body. When the driver leaned back in the seat while starting rapidly the front end would rise up in a "wheel stand" to the delight of the spectators. They also had whistles and explosions and sometimes they split the back brakes like a tractor for steering. I don't know if this would be possible on a tiny car like your Austin but maybe it was less elaborate. We'd love to see pictures

[alsancle]

As the saying goes "one picture is worth a thousand words".

[Dave Mellor NJ]

That to me isn't a clown car,it's a rat rod and not a very good one at that

[Dave Mellor NJ]

Here's a 47 Crosley that sold at Russo and Steele. It's not what I was thinking of but perhaps it's closer to what you're looking for

[Lebowski]

Here's another version of a clown car....

[keiser31]

Here's another version of a clown car....

Now THAT is a clown car in the truest sense of the word.

[Dave Mellor NJ]

That's what I was describing. I'm glad Lebowski found a picture.

[Dave Mellor NJ]

This was posted on "The Old Motor" today. Peggy the queen of clown cars; 1939

These photos show us what may have been the one of the nicest “Clown Cars” ever cons-tructed. A Clown Car usually was a Model T Ford that was basically shortened by the length of its drive shaft which was eliminated and the rear axle was connected directly to the transmission. This left a vehicle that with just the right balance that would produce long wheel-stands and antics that would delight viewers. With the two rear brakes set up with separate controls they could also spin around in circles with a skilled operator by locking up only one brake at a time. Also with separate brake controls, the operator could steer the car by using one brake at a time, much like heavy equipment is steered.
This car with was built by the Lawrenceburg, Indiana, American Legion and appears to have been an object of great pride and work by the Legion in the town. The two men on the raised rear seat back provided a perfect counter weight for continued wheel-stands. On top of that they constructed a very realistic Pegasus on the hood that a fifth man rode on top of. This press photo is dated Sept. 26, 1939 and was taken at an American Legion convention parade held in Chicago that year. The Old Motor photo.

[Bob Call]

The Louis Marx toy company made a tin windup of this kind of car called Leapin Lena.

Here is a link with picture of the Leapin Lena and a simular Charlie McCarthy car.

Marx Toy Museum Online