- Xtra (automobile)
Infobox Automobile
name = Xtra
manufacturer = Xtra Cars
production = 1922-1924
class =Cyclecar
body_style = single or two seat open
engine = V-twin JAP or single cylinder Villiers
transmission = 2-speed manual
length = 106 inches (2692 mm)cite book |last=Baldwin |first=N. |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=A-Z of Cars of the 1920s|year=1994 |publisher=Bay View Books |location=Devon, UK |id=ISBN 1-870979-53-2]
width = 54 inches (1371 mm)
height =
weight = 378 pounds
wheelbase =
designer = Cuthbert ClarkeThe Xtra was an English three wheelcyclecar built from 1922 to 1924 by Xtra Cars, Ltd., ofChertsey , Surrey.A very basic machine, it was designed by Cuthbert Clarke and resembled a three-wheeled
sidecar in most respects. The car was powered by a 3.75hpsingle-cylinder , two stroke, 270 cc Villiers enginecite book |last=Georgano |first=N. |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile |year=2000 |publisher=HMSO |location=London |id=ISBN 1-57958-293-1] and had a friction drive two-speed transmission, using two cork covered wheels of different sizes, chain driven by the engine. These wheels ran within a drum which was mounted on the single rear wheel and one would make contact to provide drive at the appropriate ratio. They were controlled by a lever which could be pushed or pulled to engage drive and had a central neutral position. There was no reverse gear.cite book |last=Worthington-Willimas |first=Mike |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Xtra, Xtra. |year= |publisher=The Automobile (magazine) January 1999 |location= |id=ISSN 0955-1328] Rear suspension was by a coil spring on the engine frame. There was no front axle, the wheels were controlled by two transverse leaf springs. Steering was by rack and pinion. Braking was on the rear wheel only and used shoes operating on the outside of the transmission drum.The first Xtra was a single seater (monocar) with a light
plywood on ash frame body with an occasional seat behind the driver on top of the engine . It featuredacetylene lighting. A top speed of above 30 mph (48 km/h) was claimed .The monocar was joined in November 1922 by a "Sociable" two seater with side by side seats and an option of having an 8 hp, V-twin JAP engine in place of the Villiers.
Xtra went into voluntary liquidation in May 1924 and was finally wound up in July 1926. It is not known how many cars were made.
External links
* http://3wheelers.com/xtra.html
References
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