The company was based in Hammersmith, London and was formed my Mr James and Colnel Browne (I think....) in 1901, and shut down in 1910.
Here are the 2 cars.......
I can't say much more about the other car (Y182) other than it has the same engine....
Anyway on to the car in my pic (AW 38 )....
This car is owned by City and Guild College Union (The engineering part of Imperial College London). Before this car there was a 1908 rover, but when this was no longer elligable for the London to Brighton veteran car run it was sold, and Bo' (strictly Boanerges 2) was brought in 1934 for £40.
I am assuming the car was laid up in the 1st world war and was re commisioned in the early 30's. Between the sometime between 1930 and 1934 the car was caught speeding on the London to Brighton run (Quite an achievement as it can only do 30mph).
Anyway, since the college has had the car it has been looked after by students (like me
) and has taken part in every London to Brighton. Im not sure about much of the history since the car came to college, apart from the more recent events. Im about to steal stuff of the Bo' website now....
There was the time calcium carbide was added to the fuel, resulting in excessive backfires outside Buckingham Palace. The next day it was announced Prince Charles was born! Bo' has competed in most of the Brighton Rallies and has a remarkably good record for completing them, on several occasions being disqualified for arriving over the finish line to early!
(stopped stealing now!!)
In the last few years, Bo' has broken down on the Mall just before the queen was due to come through, and was towed by a bomb disposal vehicle, and we have "broken down" a few times outside Bckingham Place for RAG to collect for charity.
Each year a student is elected to be Bo' Driver, meaning he is ultimately responsable for the running of the car, its not me this year or next year, but hopefully the year after.....
The engine is a 2.5 litre 2 cylinder, with an aluminium block, with a 4:1 compression ratio. The pistons go back and forward at the same time leading to a bump ride (they fire alternatly). The spark used to be provided by a magneto... but that was lost in the depths of time, so it is now provided using a car battery and trembler coils. This produces 9 RAC horsepower (not sure what that is in modern power..)
The gearbox is in 2 sections (one provides 1st, 3rd and reverse the other 2nd and 4th) and this is not sepererate from the engine!!
Drive is by 2 chains attached to the rear wheels, where the only brakes are (bands) There is also a transmission brake, but if you use that something else will probably break!
The way the car oils is like a steam train, its a total loss system, basically each bearing gets a drip of oil every so often, and it is then dumped on the road.
Hopefully Bo' will be around for some time yet!!!]
(Is this what you meant Dan??? it might be a bit long..........)
Oh and Bo' was in Classic and Sports car magazine about 2 years back as a feature!
)
I doubt i will be able to get to that show because i live in the UK 