Among the spate of sporting chariots produced in the 1919-20 era the little Barnard looked every inch a super- sports car. It had the unique distinction of possessing a four-inline air-cooled power unit, which was an adaptation of the well-known American Henderson motor-cycle engine of 10 h.p. (70 x 76-mm.). The clutch and three-speed gearbox were in unit construction with the engine crankcase, the former being of the multi-plate pattern, whilst the latter had ratios of 4.5, 7.75, and 10.5 to 1. No reverse gear was provided.
Additional cooling was supplied by a centrifugal suction fan mounted behind the facia panel. Starting was by means of a pedal working on the rack and pinion principle. One stroke was sufficient to turn the engine over three complete revolutions. Final drive was by single chain from the gearbox to a countershaft, and thence by another chain to a center sprocket on the rear axle. Steering utilized a duplicate wire and bobbin arrangement. Bodywork was of sheet aluminum, and disc wheels were used, two spares being mounted on the tail. A straight-through outside exhaust system was adopted, which certainly made the car's presence felt in no uncertain way.
Probably the difficulty of obtaining Henderson power units hastened its early demise, as there is no record of its being marketed after 1921. |
