Trojan (automobile)

thumb|A 1924 Trojan automobile

Trojan was a British automobile manufacturer producing light cars between 1914 and 1965, and light commercial vehicles for a short time.

Early history

The company was founded by Leslie Hayward Hounsfield (1877–1957) who went into business as a general engineer in a small workshop called the Polygon Engineering Works in Clapham, South London. He got the idea to make a simple, economical car that would be easy to drive and started design work in 1910. Hounsfield was a Whitworth Exhibitioner in 1898 and President of the Whitworth Society in 1946.

In 1913 a prototype was completed. It had a two-stroke engine with four cylinders arranged in pairs, and each pair shared a common combustion chamber – a doubled-up version of what would later be called the "split-single" engine. The pistons in each pair drove the crankshaft together as they were coupled to it by a V-shaped connecting rod. The claim was that each engine had only seven moving parts, four pistons, two connecting rods and a crankshaft. This was connected to a two-speed epicyclic gearbox, to simplify gear changing, and a chain to the rear wheels. Solid tyres were used, (even though these were antiquated for car use), to prevent punctures and very long springs used to give some comfort.

War broke out before production could start, and from 1914 to 1918, Trojan Ltd, as the company had become in 1914, made production tools and gauges. In 1920 the first series of six cars was made from a works in Croydon and the final production version was shown at the 1922 London Motor Show. An agreement was reached with Leyland Motors to produce the cars at their Kingston upon Thames factory , where work on reconditioning former Royal Air Force wartime trucks was running down. This arrangement continued until 1928, when Leyland wanted factory space for truck production. During the nearly seven years of the agreement 11,000 cars and 6700 vans were made. entered the market at £230, which was reduced to £125 in 1925, the same as a Model T Ford. Nothing was conventional. Rather than a chassis the car had a punt shaped tray which housed the engine and transmission below the seats. The transmission used a chain to drive the solid tyre shod wheels. The 1527 cc engine to the ingenious Hounsfield design was started by pulling a lever on the right of the driver. To prove how economical the car was to run, the company ran the slogan "Can you afford to walk?" and calculated that over it would cost more in shoes and socks than to cover the distance by Trojan car. not causing too much worry over speeding drivers.

RE Trojan and the 1930s

thumb|1950s diesel van, with Perkins engine and operated by Perkins themselves

thumb|left|1953 Trojan 15 in a [[New Zealand museum]]

With the ending of the Leyland partnership, Leslie Hounsfield took production back to Croydon, although at new premises, with Leyland continuing to supply some parts until the early 1930s. Still without an electric starter and with only rear-wheel braking, it was beginning to look very old fashioned and, although more modern bodies were fitted, only about 250 were sold. producing 210 cars between 1962 and 1965 when production switched from road cars to the McLaren-Elva racing car.

The company existed as Trojan Limited (Company No 134254 having been incorporated on 27/02/1914) until 19/03/2013, but no longer operating from the Croydon factory, which had been sold, on which latter date it was dissolved via "Voluntary Strike-off".

Trojan Trobike

Trobike was a type of mini-bike. Although preceded by the Second World War military Welbike and later Corgi for the civilian market, it was one of the earliest to be sold in kit form, thus avoiding purchase tax.

The Trojan Lambretta group was founded in 1959 when Lambretta Concessionaires Ltd took over Trojan Ltd, one of the oldest firms in the British motor industry. At about the time the group owned the Clinton Engine Corporation of Maquoketa, Iowa, USA.

thumb|right|1961 Trojan Trobike

thumb|right|Trobike front mudguard decal

Clinton were world famous for their engines used in lawnmowers and chainsaws. At this time many were supplied for use in portable generators, paint sprayers etc.

During the late 1950s the British public was becoming aware of the craze sweeping teenage America – karting (or go-karting). The sport arrived in Britain with US servicemen bringing outfits over and even making their own.

At first, the most popular engine was the 2.5 hp 95 cc Clinton engine – being both readily available and cheap. By 1959 Trojan began making the Trokart using this engine. It was sold both in built-up form and as a kit to avoid purchase tax, selling for just £25. By 1963 it was estimated that 250,000 engines in the US and 10,000 in Britain had been sold, all for karting.

The first printed mention of the Trobike is June 1960 and the first road test published on Thursday 22 December 1960 in Motor Cycling with Scooter Weekly. The price then quoted was £35 in kit form, although two adverts in 1962 quoted £29. This may account for the fact that it was made for road use with front and rear brakes, and also for off-road use with a rear brake only.

By November 1961, the factory, also producing the Lambretta scooters, had tooled up to produce the Heinkel three-wheeled bubble car, then known as the Trojan Cabin Cruiser. It seems that the Trobike was a limited success, with perhaps only 500–600 being sold over the two-year period – the last confirmed despatch being 6 March 1962. Known frame numbers range from TB501 to TB1148.

The very last machines were sold to a farmer and known as the Sussex Miniscooter. Later still, a variant known as the Lowline Chimp appeared, using a very similar frame and again a Clinton engine.

Originally, machines had black handlebar rubbers but some later models were fitted with buff-coloured rubbers. The twist grip on early machines (as appear on factory literature) was manufactured by Amal with the cable entering parallel to the handlebars. Later bikes had the more typical Amal twist grip with the cable entering from below.

Later models were fitted with a bashplate between the lower frame downtubes (by frame number TB879). The bashplate was dual purpose: to stop dirt entering the air filter, and also to protect the carburettor from damage. Even later models (by frame number TB1029) were fitted with a further small light steel plate shielding the carburettor float bowl and fitted under the heads of the front two engine mounting bolts.

Specification

Manufacturer: Trojan Ltd, Purley Way, Croydon, Surrey
Model: Trobike
Wheels: Trojan pressed steel split rim with tapered roller bearings
Tyres: Front 3.00 x 5 Dunlop, Rear 3.50 x 5 Dunlop
Tyre pressures: 20 pounds per square inch
Accelerator and Brake linkage: Enclosed cable
Brakes: two drums
Chassis: tubular steel, duplex
Colour: White frame, red mudguards, black seat, yellow engine
Chain: pitch x wide. 105 links
Engine sprocket: 12 tooth
Rear sprocket: 64 tooth
Starter: Recoil
Cut-out switch: Push button
Engine: Clinton A490 Panther 2-stroke (de-governed for Trobike application)
Lubrication: Petroil, 16:1 ratio
Cylinder size: Bore , Stroke
Capacity: 95 cc
Fuel tank: All-welded tank mounted on engine
Transmission: Single speed via Clinton centrifugal clutch
Electrical: Flywheel magneto
Suspension: None

Dimensions and weight

Overall length:
Width over handlebars:
Wheelbase:
Height over top of handlebars:
Seat height:
Weight:

Performance

Power: 2.5 bhp at 3800 R.P.M.
Max speed:
0–30 mph: 21 seconds
Braking distance: @

Frame

The frame is manufactured from steel tube which is electrically welded to resist shock and impact. The steering head is mounted on ball bearings. The front mudguard and the integral rear chain and mudguard are built of resin reinforced glass fibre and finished in red to contrast with the white enamel finish of the frame assembly.

Engine

The Clinton A490 Panther 2-stroke engine is centrally mounted. The engine position is adjustable to suit chain tension. The starting is by recoil starter, power being delivered to the rear wheel through an automatic centrifugal clutch which comes into effect upon opening of the throttle.

Models

Two models – the Garden Model and Road Model – are basically similar, with the difference that the Garden Model does not include number plates, front wheel brake and brake lever, hooter or tax disc. Trobikes have an eye-catching colour scheme – white frames, forks, handlebars, and wheels – yellow engines – red chain/mudguards. A foam rubber saddle covered with black plastic leather cloth is fitted to each machine.

Wheels

Wheels are made from pressed steel and are of the split rim type for easy tyre removal. Both front and rear wheels run on opposed high-grade taper roller bearings on an alloy steel spindle, which is designed for easy wheel removal. Car-type internal expanding brakes are used.

References

Citations

Bibliography

External links

Trojan Museum and Trust
Trojan Vehicle atop Eston Hills Nab, Middlesbrough circa 1925
Trojan Vehicle at Upsall Ironstone Mine, Eston Hills, Eston, Middlesbrough circa 1925