Mystery engine

[Henry Harris]

This Austin Motor Company image is from 'Austin Racing History' by Harrison, 1949.

It is wrongly captioned as ' "Ulster" power unit showing the Cozette supercharger'.

It's an off-set single seater engine but with a crank starting handle.

Interesting details include Zoller supercharger, C35 dynamo but no starter motor, coil ignition and 3 speed type gearbox with 'crash' type lid (possibly with 4 forward gears , no reverse) 

I guess it's 1932 but what was it fitted to?

   

[Hedd_Jones]

Is it not the German Rubber Duck engine, you posted pictures of the crankcase of the sand racer elsewhere this week? Which would be the same?

[Chris.Dallas]

Definitely looks like a ‘Duck’ crankcase, possibly an earlier experimental set up when fitted to an ulster for testing, hence the handle?

[Robert Foreman]

Henry, 
      It doesn't look like a C35 dynamo to me more akin to a bigger Austin.

[Ruairidh Dunford]

It is very similar to the one fitted to our 12/4.

[Howard Wright]

Hi All

The pic bears non of Tony’s photoshop skills so I guess it can’t be an April fool posting?

Cheers

Howard

[Henry Harris]

Robert and Ruairidh,

I think you're right about the dynamo. It appears to be a larger diameter than a C35.

Which would make it the next size up. C45 with a 25 amp output. But why, and without a starter motor?

[Mike Costigan]

Large dynamo and no starter, but coil ignition - built for long-distance records, perhaps?

[Stuart Joseph]

How does the clutch operate - no obvious pedal or have I missed something ?

[Rick F]

Good question, Stuart. The shaft is there, with what might be a spring, but that strange casting would appear to prevent any lever movement. Unless the clutch lever is at the opposite side, of course - left-hand drive?