Rytecraft
c.1930 A number of British firms, including Orton and Spooner, R. J. Lakin and Co, Lang Wheels and Rytecraft, had introduced Dodgem rides which made this ride more acceptable to British fairgrounds.
1934 The Rytecraft Scootacar was a British microcar built by the British Motor Boat Manufacturing Co in London between 1934 and 1940. It is possible that some might have been assembled after 1945. This very small car originated as a fairground Dodgem and was electrically powered. The first road version was powered by a 98cc Villiers engine with a maximum speed of 15 mph. They were single-seaters, with one speed, no springs and an automatic centrifugal clutch. [1]
1934 the designer Jack Shillan changed the engine to a 98 cc Villiers Midget single cylinder engine and sold it for road use. The transmission was single speed and operated by a single pedal which opened the throttle on being pressed down and applied the brake and when released. The clutch was automatic. There were no springs. Drive was to one of the rear wheels and the single brake operated on the other. It was said to be capable of reaching 15 mph (25 km/h). The body was open and had a single seat.
1934 'A new baby car designed by J. W. Shillan, and known as the Rytecraft Scootacar, which will be on the market at the end of next week at £70. It is 1 h.p., will do 15 m.p.h. and has one-pedal control'[2]
Later cars, from about 1939, had a larger 250 cc Villiers engine, a three speed gearbox plus reverse and normal pedal controls. Top speed was 40 mph (65 km/h). Two seats were fitted along with electric lights. A commercial version, the Scootatruck, was also made and for publicity some were styled to look like Vauxhall and Chrysler models for promotional purposes. The 1934 models cost £70 and the later cars sold for £80.[3]
1940 Rytecraft Special was a car made by B. M. B. Engineering Co - see image
1940 The Rytecraft Safeti-Line Road Marker was introduced.
About 1,000 Scootacars were made. In the 1960s Jim Parkinson drove a 98 cc model one for 15,000 miles around the world. Several survive and one is on display at the Brooklands museum.