Crescent (cyclecar)

Crescent Motors Ltd manufactured a cyclecar in Walsall and Birmingham between 1911 and 1915.^[1]

The firm, based on Pleck Road, was founded by James Bailey and became a limited company in October 1911 but had been issuing advertising material from at least March.^[2]

Two models were produced both powered by J.A.P air-cooled V-twin engines with friction disc transmission and belt drive.^[1] The friction drive consisted of a vertical driven disc and a smaller wheel that could be moved across the face of the driven disc so the distance from the drive axis would give variable gearing. A clutch action was made by lifting the driven wheel off the drive disc. Moving the driven wheel past the centre gave a reverse gear. The smaller car with an engine rated for taxation at 5/6 hp had tandem seating with the driver sitting behind the passenger. The larger model had a 7/9 hp engine.^[2]

By 1913 the tandem seating was replaced by more conventional side by side coachwork and windscreen. The engine had grown to 964 cc with a RAC horsepower rating of 8 hp. The belt drive was replaced by a shaft to the friction disc and chain to the back axle. The price was quoted as £115.^[2]

When Crescent Motors moved to Britannia Works, Rolfe Street, Smethwick, Birmingham, the J.A.P engine was replaced by a water-cooled Precision or a Blumfield V-twin engine.^[1] The final drive by chain was to only one of the rear wheels with the other driven by a friction plate so a differential was not needed. The only body style offered was a 2-seater open model, which sold for £127.^[3]

The Crescent was popular with female motorists, with several registered in the West Midlands.^[1]

Production ended in 1915, and only one Crescent is known to survive.^[3] The number made is not known.^[2]