oldcar Posted June 12, 2016 Share Posted June 12, 2016 (edited) Firstly some history of the marque. Starting in 1921 two French financiers, Joseph Lamy and Emil Akar, had realised that there were fortunes to be made in supplying really cheap transport to car-hungry France, especially as there was at that time a typically French law which permitted cycle cars - a cross between a motor cycle and a car - to pay an annual tax of only a few francs, as long as they weighed less than 770 lb. Even then the public were prejudiced against crude belt or chain-driven cyclecars, and it was obvious that if a company could build a real car in miniature, at a popular price, profitability would be assured. Lamy and Akar were Le Zebre shareholders, but they decided to build an entirely new model, which was christened the Amilcar, from a combination of their two names. Accordingly, they lured away two brilliant young pupils of the famous Salmson, Edmond Moyet and Andre Morel. Moyet designed a typical Salmson engine for the new Amilcar which, with the same 55 mm bore as the Zebre and the Citroen and a 95 mm stroke, had a capacity of 903 cc. All three of these engines featured side-valves and two-bearing crankshafts, but the Amilcar featured a combined cast-iron cylinder and crankcase block instead of the separate aluminium crankcase of the Citroen. In this respect, the first Amilcar followed the Model T Ford, and another similarity was to be found in the so-called constant-level splash lubrication. There was no oil pump fitted to this early engine; the flywheel dipped into a sump and lifted the lubricant up to a cup, from which it ran by gravity to the main bearings and big-end troughs. The clutch ran in oil and was of the multi-plate pattern, coupled to a unit gearbox of sliding-pinion type, giving three speeds. In Adelaide South Australia, Drummonds Autos Ltd, also trading as Automobiles Limited, were appointed Distributors for the Amilcar in 1922. They were immeadiately successful and by 1924, the year of my car they claimed to be selling Amilcars at an astonishing rate. First reference in the press archives indicate publicity from 1924, there are registrations for Amilcars in South Australia dated from early 1923, which indicates shipments from France in the year of 1922. Engine numbers from vehicles in South Australia confirm this. The first reference to AUTOMOBILES LIMITED so far found is in The News on 29th July 1924 – abridged as follows –“A NEW CAR IN ADELAIDE” – “Automobiles Limited, which has the agency has fitted one chassis with an Australian sports body, and the whole is a remarkably neat job, with lines that any owner would be proud of. The Amilcar will be sold complete with sports body, enamelled blue or red, and five wire wheels and tyres.” It is possible that the actual car referred to above is a Grand Sport, but could also have been a CC roadster the car below – DRUMMOND’S AUTOS LIMITED is the better known Amilcar agency of South Australia and were based from premises in the north-western corner of Light Square, a location which had previously been used by H.M. Drummond for used car auctions. Drummond’s were particularly active in the mid 1920’s and at one point in 1926, Drummond’s boasted a delivery of cars to customers at the rate of one per day. How long this lasted is not known but there may have been a lack of supply from ships with stock arriving in Australia. By October 1925, sales of Amilcars had been sufficient for Drummond’s to call the first meeting of the Amilcar Owners Club at 7.45pm on 21st October, which was well attended. Regrettably, the depression years caused such a downturn in demand for all luxury items, such as cars, that Drummond’s closed their doors forever. The exact date of the closure of the business is not known but there is an Amilcar C4 tourer with Richards coach work which dates 1927 and advertising was continuing in newspapers in 1928. H.M. Drummond actively promoted sales of the French Amilcars, which enjoyed extensive sales success, Drummonds had also used racing and all forms of automotive competition such as city-to-city record-breaking, night trials and reliability trials to promote these feisty little voiturettes. The main worry about driving an Amilcar in Australia, is that you have enough petrol to make it to the next pub… Edited June 12, 2016 by oldcar (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted June 12, 2016 Share Posted June 12, 2016 Looking forward to this one, Bernie. Looking forward. Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldcar Posted June 12, 2016 Author Share Posted June 12, 2016 (edited) Thank you Ben That makes two of us. I still have not found the photographs of the Amilcar CC I had 40 something years ago. It is something that I have wanted to do for a long time now. A comparitively unspoilt French light car. The timing just had to be right and this one ticked all the boxes. I have until 2019 to get it ready for our next European adventure. I had previously, briefly, owned this little two tone blue Amilcar CC Roadster it had been given a more up to date roadster body in the 1930s. It is being driven here by a good friend Roger DuPont in a VSCC event in the early 1980s. Amicalement Bernie j Edited June 13, 2016 by oldcar (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unimogjohn Posted June 12, 2016 Share Posted June 12, 2016 Bernie, great history. Really interesting. What is the local history of your new car. I know that there must be a story. Can hardly wait to see it on your driveway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1lark Posted June 12, 2016 Share Posted June 12, 2016 Looks like a really great project Bernie! As always, I will be looking forward to your updates . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldcar Posted June 14, 2016 Author Share Posted June 14, 2016 (edited) This morning I have paid for the Amilcar and arranged for it to be transported from Adelaide In South Australia to my home in East Doncaster (Melbourne) Victoria (Australia) a 12 to 14 hour trip. I have just had an email from Mel who will be delivering it by the weekend. I should have lots more to show/tell you then. Bj. Edited June 14, 2016 by oldcar (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldcar Posted June 18, 2016 Author Share Posted June 18, 2016 (edited) After a 12 hour over-night drive the Amilcar arrived yesterday (Friday) morning at about 8.30 am. It is now safely tucked up in my garage and I can start working what is there and what is missing. I think that the inscription on the front axle beam, unseen in previous photographs, it may actually tell it all. One thing dismantling it should be a breeze, it has only just enough nuts and bolts to hold it together! It is amazing that it made the long interstate journey without completely falling to pieces. One day I will learn not to judge others by my own standards. A long time ago some wise person said "Blessed is he who expects the worst for he is never dissapointed". Back to work...... Bj Edited June 18, 2016 by oldcar (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldcar Posted June 18, 2016 Author Share Posted June 18, 2016 I decided that having had a good Saturday lunch and a mug of strong black coffee (no sugar) it was time to stop looking and start working. Being a quick lash up it soon became obvoius that the previous owner hated wasting nuts and bolts and subscribed to a policy of if one will do why use two. i.e. The cylinder head is held down by just one nut. With the bonnet (hood) & radiator removed I could see that he had used a novel approach to making up for the missing or broken front engine mount ( See above photograph). The headlamps and front mudguards (fenders) came off easily to reveal how much rust there is in the valances The rear mudguards offered very little resistance being held on by "hardware store" 1/4 inch roofing bolts. With the rear open to the daylight I can see that the torque tube is just hanging off the front of the rear axle supported by the drive shaft. Thankfully the jig he had constructed to lift the body was included with car, carefully packed into the interior. It too will be pressed into service in the next day or so. Like it or not this has suddenly become a TOTAL rebuild/restoration..... Stand back! Bj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unimogjohn Posted June 18, 2016 Share Posted June 18, 2016 Bernie, how come you never pick something easy? It looks like another challenge for sure. Hope that you have most of the pieces and parts. I think that your coffee can of old bolts/nuts/screws are going to come in real handy. Look forward to future posts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1lark Posted June 18, 2016 Share Posted June 18, 2016 The quarter-elliptical springing on the front end is interesting. Are the springs the only locating devices, or are there some additional locating bars (radius rods) that can't be seen? The styling of the car is nice. But in the pictures, it seems larger that I expected for a cycle car. Is it roughly the size of a MG TA, or smaller? As I mentioned before, I'll be looking forward to your updates on this one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldcar Posted June 18, 2016 Author Share Posted June 18, 2016 (edited) What you see is what you get. The two bolts at the front go through the main leaf and through the flange on the axle beam there is a U bolt that spans the second leaf and clamps the main leaf onto the rear of the flange. The Citroen 5CV uses a similar set-up. There are quarter elepic springs at the rear using a similar arrangement. I will take some close up photographs for you later today. (after I have breakfast) Bj Edited June 18, 2016 by oldcar (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldcar Posted June 19, 2016 Author Share Posted June 19, 2016 (edited) Having spent the afternoon in the garage emptying out all the loose bits from inside the body I was amazed to find that the "one bolt will do" policy was even extended to the body, with again just ONE bolt securing it to the chassis. As the French are know to say in sinilar circumstances "MERDE". Bj Sorry r1lark I was not intentionally ignoring your question. In 1924 the Amilcar sold in direct competition with the Citroen 5CV and the Austin Seven. It was/is quite a small car and while laterday restorers delight in putting pointed tail "racing" bodies on them the early cars such as mine were flat out to reach 45/50 mph. They had a 900 cc side valve engine with just two main bearings and rear wheel only brakes. That they had Centre-lock (knock-on) wire spoke wheels gave them something approaching a sporting reputation, mainly from people who had never driven one. Bj Edited June 19, 2016 by oldcar (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldcar Posted June 21, 2016 Author Share Posted June 21, 2016 This mornings task is to load the four mud guards and five wheels into the trusty Peugeot and take them to the sand blaster. On my return journey I will stop off to buy a large can of paint stripper and some rust killer. Bj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldcar Posted June 22, 2016 Author Share Posted June 22, 2016 (edited) Those wheels and mudguards are now safely with the sand blaster and should be ready for collection finished in a coat of black primer by this time next week. We are entertaining John Needham, Australia's leading specialist in Vintage & Classic gearboxes this evening so he can take the gearbox with him as he leaves. John has a "Close Ratio" conversion for Amilcar gearboxes which I will be discussing with him. True to form, hopefully there will not be too much grass growing under the Amilcar. Bernie J. Edited June 26, 2016 by oldcar (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldcar Posted June 26, 2016 Author Share Posted June 26, 2016 (edited) With the aid of a flap-wheel on my angle grinder the dozen or so layers of paint are disappearing. This is slow and dusty work but while slow is not a bad as trying to tackle the job using a solvent paint remover. Once I am down to bare metal I can look at the problem rusted sections. Fortunately this is not as bad as it may have been in a 92 year old car. So far the timber frame seems to be remarkably good, the previous owner had strengthened it in places screw and glueing corner blocks in to strengthen it in a number of places. There are a few places where I will have to re-attach the panels where the the tacks have disappeared. Bj Edited June 26, 2016 by oldcar (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldcar Posted June 27, 2016 Author Share Posted June 27, 2016 (edited) I think that the Amilcar is trying to tell me something, as I go down through the various layers of paint I keep finding this lovely deep burgundy wine colour right at the bottom. It looks as though that was the original colour so I may have to rethink about possible finished colours. I will try and borrow some colour chips so I can match it. Probably the first things to be painted will be the wheels. They come back from the sand-blaster next week. Let's face it anything would be better than the horrible fire engine red that was all over it. Bj. Edited June 27, 2016 by oldcar (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldcar Posted July 2, 2016 Author Share Posted July 2, 2016 (edited) While I am concentrating my efforts on the body. See below. I am also spending a little time sorting out the mechanical side of the Amilcar. There is just one problem everything I look at presents a new conundrum. For instance this one is a beauty, Look at the little collection of timing gears and tell me what is wrong apart that is there is one missing. There should be an extra gear that drives the generator. Edited July 2, 2016 by oldcar (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JV Puleo Posted July 3, 2016 Share Posted July 3, 2016 Hi Bernie... Do you mean aside from the one in the middle which appears to be worn to a shread? It shouldn't be a difficult gear to replicate and it may well be one that is readily available through whatever sort of industrial supply companies you have. I've often found that supposedly "impossible to find" parts in the car world were common in the industrial world but you need to be able to describe them... in a case like this "timing gear for an Amilcar" won't work! Cheers, Joe P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldcar Posted July 3, 2016 Author Share Posted July 3, 2016 (edited) Hello Joe Nice to hear from you. You missed the broken tooth on the other small gear. In fact this one has two broken teeth directly opposite each other. This because they were fitted runing on the cam gear which has a totally different pitch. Amilcar used two different sets of timing gears one lot with 20 teeth on the small gears and 40 on the large camshaft gear giving a two to one ratio the alternative set used 24 and 48 teeth again giving two to one. However if you try to mix the sets not only is it impossible to run the engine but the most likely out come is with something broken. The Amilcar came from a professional restorer (wrecker) who I have discovered was very good at taking things apart but when re-assembling, worked on the well known policy "Why use two bolts if one will do". One of my friends on the VSCC UK Forum thinks that he may have a useable set of gears. Right now I have decided to concentrate on the cosmetics. Panel, paint and upholstery. That gives me some time away from the depressing mechanical state of the car. I have found some very nicely patinated black leather upholstery ( lounge chairs) thrown away by some house proud individual. I have enough to complete the interior trim (two seats and side panels). Bernie j. * Patinated:- read, nicely worn or only slightly shabby. Edited July 3, 2016 by oldcar (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldcar Posted July 6, 2016 Author Share Posted July 6, 2016 I must be getting old and perhaps a little senile but I have decided that I have no wish to get involved with the exclusive brethren who seem to want to control who can and who cannot restore Amilcars in Australia. Bj. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted July 6, 2016 Share Posted July 6, 2016 If I understand you correctly, I agree with you. Your car. Make a coffee table from it if you want. No one should have any say in what you do or who does what. My opinion and I am sticking to it!!! But, Bernie , you have whetted my appetite. What is going on?? Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconriley Posted July 6, 2016 Share Posted July 6, 2016 You surprise me, as I know a couple of Amilcar owners and at least one former owner and they are not like that. Like Ben you know have aroused my curiosity. Matthew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldcar Posted July 6, 2016 Author Share Posted July 6, 2016 (edited) Unfortunately libel laws in Australia prevent me from explaining in detail. I am sure that there a lot of very fine people who own Amilcars it is just that I have been spoilt by the (Lagonda) Rapier Register and that I am now too old to start jumping through hoops. Bj Edited July 6, 2016 by oldcar (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldcar Posted July 6, 2016 Author Share Posted July 6, 2016 (edited) OK everyone, you can relax, I have sold the Amilcar and it is going back to Adelaide in South Australia where it started and spent most of its life. The new owner is part of the Amilcar scene there and should have no problems. I think that this is a very satisfactory outcome all round. Maybe I will take a little time out before starting another project. Thank you for all your interest. Bernie j. Edited July 6, 2016 by oldcar (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldcar Posted July 10, 2016 Author Share Posted July 10, 2016 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted July 10, 2016 Share Posted July 10, 2016 LMAO!!! But it is a good club , Bernie. Millions belong. Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldcar Posted July 10, 2016 Author Share Posted July 10, 2016 (edited) Right on Ben. I would much sooner spend my money and time playing with old motor cars than spend even one morning a month on a clinical psychologists couch. I guess that given a little time there will be another project. It just has to find me. Bj Edited July 10, 2016 by oldcar (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldcar Posted July 13, 2016 Author Share Posted July 13, 2016 (edited) Not the Renault. Not the Amilcar. What will it be? French, Italian, British? We may have to wait until next month to be sure. One thing is almost certain, whatever it is, it will be my last big restoration. Bj. Edited July 13, 2016 by oldcar (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unimogjohn Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 Another adventure begins! Cannot wait for it to begin. I pray that it is not "boxes of parts" this time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldcar Posted July 13, 2016 Author Share Posted July 13, 2016 Not the Renault. Not the Amilcar. What will it be? We may have to wait until next month to be sure. One thing is almost certain, whatever it is will be my last big restoration. Bj. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldcar Posted July 19, 2016 Author Share Posted July 19, 2016 (edited) Please don't go away but you will have to be patient. I will not be absolutely certain until after the 6th August. Only then will I know what pain I am about to inflict on myself. I should have lots of photos to share with you. If everything goes to plan it will be British and Pre WW1. Bj. Edited July 19, 2016 by oldcar (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldcar Posted July 22, 2016 Author Share Posted July 22, 2016 Unimog John If I go ahead with my proposed purchase which I will not be seeing until 5thAugust at the earliest, I have never contemplated a more thoroughly dismantled car before EVER. Not just a few boxes of bits but a whole truck-load. It will also be, at 1912, the earliest car I have ever looked at with a view to purchase. Brass radiator and crank start.......... Bj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldcar Posted July 24, 2016 Author Share Posted July 24, 2016 (edited) The Amilcar has now left and should be well on its way back to South Australia. To keep Unimog John happy Here are a few photographs of what may well be my next project. A peek into the future perhaps..or should that be the past?... images 7-2016 - 1.pdf Edited July 24, 2016 by oldcar (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnSafari Posted July 24, 2016 Share Posted July 24, 2016 Is this the 1912 Humber advertised on Prewarcar? Looks like a nice project and a quality vehicle. Is this near Tamworth? Best of luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1lark Posted July 24, 2016 Share Posted July 24, 2016 Wow Bernie, that looks like a 10,000 piece puzzle! Looking forward to seeing more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unimogjohn Posted July 24, 2016 Share Posted July 24, 2016 Bernie, love the pictures. But hardly a challenge for you, our resident master craftsman. I did not see a body. Are you going to have to make one? Lots of rusty pieces there too, lots of blasting to do to get back to bare metal. Good luck. We are hopeful of your purchase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldcar Posted July 25, 2016 Author Share Posted July 25, 2016 (edited) Hello On Safari The Humber is the one on PreWarCar it is in South Australia. Thank you John I hope I can live up to your expectations. We go to look at the Humber for the first time in ten Days. Until then it is still on the market if anyone wants to Guzumpt* me. All the photographs are the ones the vendor has sent to me, unfortunately the file is too big to transfer here. I have tried to move individual photographs but it seems as though this is just not possible. Guzumpt is an old English expression meaning for a third party to outbid the buyer after a sale has been agreed. Edited July 25, 2016 by oldcar (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldcar Posted July 27, 2016 Author Share Posted July 27, 2016 Hello On Safari The humber is the one on PreWarCar it is in South Australia. Thank you John I hope I can live up to your expectations. We go to look at the Humber for the first time in ten Days. Until then it is still on the market if anyone wants to Guzumpt* me. All the photographs are the one the vendor has sent to me. Including today's lot. Guzumpt is an old English expression meaning to outbid after a sale has been agreed images 7-2016 - 2.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldcar Posted July 27, 2016 Author Share Posted July 27, 2016 (edited) Slowly slowly we are progressing two assist the patient people watching this thread I have just received from my friends in the UK 'umber Register a copy of the 1913 sales brochure but as it runs to 34 pages I will not copy it here. Instead here is a couple of photographs of the 1912 Two seater which I will be attempting to replicate. Because of the wonders of modern science you will have to "click" on the text at the bottom of the page to open the pdf of the second photograph. Bj 11 hp 2 seater 1912.pdf Edited July 29, 2016 by oldcar (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unimogjohn Posted July 28, 2016 Share Posted July 28, 2016 Bernie, a very interesting body style. Do you have any of the original body parts or will you have to make them all? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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