Ford Quadricycle

Work is still progressing on my Burrell-Boydell road locomotive and the end is in sight so I've been casting around for a follow up.

I was originally going to remake the Fowell-Box engine that I made many years ago in 3", but this time in 1 1/2", but this will take some time and I fancy something quicker.

Years ago I was going to build a full sized replica of Henry Fords first automobile which he built in 1896, but then I got into Austin Sevens so the idea was dropped.

I've now resurrected the idea but in 1/4 scale to give a model about 2 feet long with a 2 cylinder petrol engine meaning I'll be able to run the engine without waiting for steam.

I joined The Early Ford Register to gain access to a set of full sized drgs and have ordered the chassis metal.

I'll let you know how I get on.

Brian

Hi Brian,

I'd love to know how you get on. We had a full sized Quadricycle at the Ford Trade School in Harold Hill. It was a fascinating piece of engineering for the time. The V12 Merlin Engine we had, was also something to behold close up.

Thanks Bo'sun, one of the companies I worked for had just started making stainless steel kitchen equipment before war broke out and, as they there were only a few miles from Derby they were asked to start making Merlin exhausts, and that started a long relationship with R-R.

I'll keep posting progress on the Ford but will also be working on the Burrell-Boydell.

Brian

You too eh? When were you there?

1972 - 1974.

I still remember some of the instructors - Ernie Pearson, John Magllenan (AKA Plug), Dave Rutland, Wally Goodman, Micky Walsh and many others........... Not forgetting Mary in the canteen.

Halcyon days, when apprenticeships were real apprenticeships and you learnt a useful trade.

I was in and out of there as a a student-apprentice from 1961. Our group (five of us, I think) did the design & drawings for that Quadricycle reproduction, whilst the toolroom apprentices built the parts under the ... er .... able ... direction of one 'arry Buckle.

Fun days!

It was the best training I ever had. I still use many of the skills I learnt, especially "bench fitting", although it was never one of my favourite sections at the time. Sawing, filing, checking, more filing, more checking..................Oh bugger, filled off too much!

Never knew 'arry Buckle, although I suspect he was just like the instructors I knew.

Wouldn't have missed it for the world. A pity there are so few (if any?) similar opportunities available to young lads today.

Here is a picture of the Ford Quadricycle chassis and battery box. There is no front chassis cross member so I had to make the battery box to hold the front together.

The scale is 1/4 and there is a 12" Inch rule with the chassis.

Also a picture of the real thing complete with Henry Ford.

Brian

• 

  IMG_0274.JPG

  2.7MB

• 

  Henry Ford on Quadricycle.jpg

  25.9kB

Edited By Brian H on 08/06/2020 17:47:54

Hi Brian,

Your image links come up with an error for me.

Adrian

Sorry about that Adrian, I should have started an album instead of just pasting in the pictures.

Here are the pictures from my album.

Brian

Good old Henry, built his own quadbike. Then had to grow up so started a small automobile company.

I suppose you could say that it is 'mid-engined'

Brian