Russon
Encyclopedia
The Russon was a British microcar
with a sporting appearance and built by Russon Cars Ltd in Eaton Bray, Stanbridge, Bedfordshire between 1951 and 1952.
Brain-child of D.A. Russell, the editor of the Aeromodeller magazine and designed by Derek Currie the Russon was at first powered by a rear mounted 197 cc JAP
engine but production cars used a larger 250 cc twin from Excelsior
. Drive was to the rear wheels through a motor cycle type 3 speed gearbox. The suspension was independent all round by coil springs and the body was mounted on a tubular chassis frame. 50 mph (80 km/h) and 65 mpg were claimed.
The alloy panelled body was built on an ash frame in a traditional coachbuilders manner and was styled to look like a bit like a miniature Jaguar XK120
. There was said to be room for 3 people to sit side by side. The car was killed by its high price of £491, for which a "normal" family saloon could be had and less than 10 were made.
The assets of this company were acquired by Air Vice Marshal D.C.T. Bennett in preparation for his project, the Fairthorpe Cars
.
Microcar
A microcar is the smallest automobile classification usually applied to standard small car . Such small cars were generally referred to as cyclecars until the 1940s. More recent models are also called bubblecars due to their egg-shaped appearance.-Definition:The definition of a microcar has varied...
with a sporting appearance and built by Russon Cars Ltd in Eaton Bray, Stanbridge, Bedfordshire between 1951 and 1952.
Brain-child of D.A. Russell, the editor of the Aeromodeller magazine and designed by Derek Currie the Russon was at first powered by a rear mounted 197 cc JAP
JA Prestwich Industries Ltd
JA Prestwich Industries, was an English engineering company named after founder John Alfred Prestwich, which produced cinematographic equipment, internal combustion engines , and other examples of precision engineering.-History:J. A...
engine but production cars used a larger 250 cc twin from Excelsior
Excelsior Motor Company
Excelsior, based in Coventry, was a British bicycle, motorcycle and car maker. They were Britain’s first motorcycle manufacturer, starting production of their own ‘motor-bicycle’ in 1896...
. Drive was to the rear wheels through a motor cycle type 3 speed gearbox. The suspension was independent all round by coil springs and the body was mounted on a tubular chassis frame. 50 mph (80 km/h) and 65 mpg were claimed.
The alloy panelled body was built on an ash frame in a traditional coachbuilders manner and was styled to look like a bit like a miniature Jaguar XK120
Jaguar XK120
The Jaguar XK120 is a sports car which was manufactured by Jaguar between 1948 and 1954. It was Jaguar's first sports car since the SS 100, which ceased production in 1940.-History:...
. There was said to be room for 3 people to sit side by side. The car was killed by its high price of £491, for which a "normal" family saloon could be had and less than 10 were made.
The assets of this company were acquired by Air Vice Marshal D.C.T. Bennett in preparation for his project, the Fairthorpe Cars
Fairthorpe Cars
Fairthorpe cars were made in Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire, England between 1954 and 1976.Fairthorpe Ltd was founded by Air Vice Marshall Donald Bennett. The first cars were lightweight models powered by motor cycle engines and with glass fibre bodies called the Atom and Atomota. In 1956 a...
.