Did this Phoenix Rise?

Miniature Cars & Scooters
A Series of 25
No. 12

Phoenix, Britain

This four-wheeler mini-car is of unusual shape. It is semi-panoramic, and entrance is gained by the centre section opening from the left side. Powered by a 197 cc Villiers engine has a speed of 45 m.p.h.

Issued by
Ewbanks Ltd.
Eagle Works - Pontefract

Avolette

Miniature Cars & Scooters
A Series of 25
No. 1

Avolette, France

A Plastic bodied three-wheeler, manufactured in France. Is available with two alternative power units, both of Lambretta. The 125 cc develops approximately 45 m.p.h., the 150 cc develops almost 55 m.p.h.

Issued by
Ewbanks Ltd.
Eagle Works - Pontefract

Lambretta Scooter

We know...this is a scooter, not a car. But we decided to include it because it is No. 14 in the series of 25 "Miniature Cars & Scooters", published by Ewbanks Ltd.

An extremely popular Italian scooter made in Milan in one of the most modern and up-to-date works. It is also made under licence in Britain, France and Germany. This machine usually has a 150 cc two-stroke engine, though a 175 cc model will appear in England shortly.

Coronet (Miniature Cars & Scooters - No. 15)

This relative newcomer to the mini-car market is styled after the predominant prewar manner, i.e., two front and one rear wheel. It has sleek lines and powered by a 328 cc Excelsior Unit and gives speeds up to 65 m.p.h.

Card issued by Ewbanks Ltd., Eagle Works, Pontefract

Heinkel (Kabine)

Another Ewbanks Ltd. card.

The "Heinkel", the young child of a famous aircraft firm, began life with three wheels but has now grown a fourth. Its 4-stroke, 204 cc O.H.V. engine gives a maximum speed of 55 m.p.h. and it cruises at 40 m.p.h. with consumption 70/80 m.p.g.

Getting a Little Frisky?

Yes...I said Frisky.

The "Frisky" made its debut in March, 1957. According to Ewbanks (the issuers of the cards, "Miniature Cars & Scooters"), the Frisky is a fixed-head couple, with gullswing pattern doors. Powered by a 325 cc Mercedes Benz 2 cyl two-stroke unit, it has a top speed of over 55 m.p.h. and seats two adults and three children.

Do-it-yourself Microcar

Cycle cars were all the rage back in the teens and twenties. And they continued their popularity well into the the thirties -- in France. (Why is it the French are always a little different?)

But the concept of making your own car (or boat, or plane) is something that still grabs people's attention.

This is a "How-to" article from the January 1932 issue of How to Built It magazine. It kind of makes you wish you had a "junked outboard motor" tucked away in the back of your garage.