Daniel Vinay presents this small sporting vehicle: the Sandford No. 67 prototype cyclecar of 1924. After the First World War, the "Le Trocquer" law brought to France a greatly reduced tax for vehicles with three or four wheels called "cyclecars." Cyclecars could transport a maximum of two people, have an engine no larger than 1100cc and weigh no more than 350 kg (770 pounds). Malcolm Stuart Sandford, trying to copy the example of Morgan in England and to compete with Darmont in France, began building cyclecars in Paris in 1919. In 1924, prototype No. 67, with a body built of laminated wood, made its debut at the inauguration of the Montlhéry race track. Its poor performance, combined with its simplistic aesthetics, earned the car the nickname of "The Iron.” The vehicle disappeared very quickly from the circuits and remained the only specimen. The model is a completely scratchbuilt creation.

Posted November 12, 2004