American Cyclecar Manufacturers

The American Cyclecar can perhaps be considered a first cousin of the American motorcycle or American bicycle. About 125 different makes of Cyclecars were manufactured in the United States. Most of them appearing between 1910 and 1916. This was the popular era of the extreme light weight automobile, and many were equipped with motorcycle tires and wheels. Two cylinder air cooled engines and four cylinder water cooled engines were used by many of the cyclecar makers, and in some cases belts were used for final drive instead of chains or drive shafts. Perhaps the most unique Cyclecar of all was the Imp manufactured in Auburn, Indiana. These light cars were considered exceptionally maneuverable and the better models traveled from 40 to 50 miles or better on a gallon of gas.