The Air Navigation & Engineering Co., Ltd., was responsible for the lively little Bleriot Whippet in the early 'twenties. This sporting cyclecar was fitted with the 8-h.p. (85 x 88-mm.) side- valve Vee-twin Blackburne engine, and the complete car weighed a mere 5^-cwt., giving it a fairly high road performance. It was typical of the cyclecars of the period, in that final drive was by chain and belt, and infinitely variable gears were fitted. A chain- driven three-speed model was introduced in 1921.
A special racing version was also produced, with specially tuned engine featuring Ricardo pistons, and a streamlined body. This car also had an ingenious belt-tensioning device, which ensured that the belt remained at its constant correct adjustment at speed. Whilst the cyclecar vogue was at its height the Bleriot Whippet was most popular, but with the introduction of the Rover Eight and the Austin Seven the simple cyclecar soon disappeared from the market. |
