Driving the 1919 Grafton Cyclecar

Join me as I go on a New Year's Day drive in my 1919 Grafton Cyclecar.
The car was built by Tim Gunn: www.gunnandco.co.uk/
Watch a short film about the car with Tim here: • 1919 Grafton cyclecar ...
An article about the car: www.prewarcar.com/the-grafton....
Please feel free to like and subscribe to my channel, I will be uploading many more videos.

[@joeamar2519]

Thanks for bringing us along, Eddie. Glad to see the Grafton went to an enthusiastic new owner who will continue to share his experiences with it as Tim did. Looking forward to future adventures.

[@officialmysteriousrider130]

Needs a Suzuki Hyabusa engine fitted 😂

[@damedavidfrith55]

Nice to see it being driven rather than a museum piece

[@FlyingForFunTrecanair]

It’s not a museum piece because it’s not old. It’s a modern creation, made from old plans.

[@shaneellasdaicastrestorati3675]

@@FlyingForFunTrecanair plans ?

[@FlyingForFunTrecanair]

@@shaneellasdaicastrestorati3675 if you google ‘how to build a cyclecar’ then you’ll find a reprint of an old book first published in 1920. It’s available for purchase from the chap who built this Grafton Cyclecar.

[@RustyJunkAustralia-mt7tr]

@@FlyingForFunTrecanair really thanks for the info I'll have a look at it, thank you

[@captainchaos3053]

Not sure but it looks like a well restored original.

[@kokopelli314]

It looks perfectly at home in that lovely little town.

[@RobMacKendrick]

Having grown up in the era of kick-starts and pull-cords, when you said, "The starting procedure is pretty simple; you just turn the petrol on and kick it," I instinctively added, "...about 92 times." That's still the coolest thing on earth.

[@CynthiaSelf-eh6ul]

Dude, you need one of those aviator hats with the goggles. What a piece of history you own! Lovely 😊

[@jayeblagburn2056]

What a marvellous old machine that is. The car appeared quite spritely, but I guess that the engine doesn't exactly struggle hauling along something [that seems to be] pretty light. Right there, in that gloriously crafted little old gem, is everything a car needs for today's typical commuter. Surely even the orange vest brigade couldn't fail to be captivated by such elegance. I'm very much in favour of driving such automotive treasures and enjoying them, well done for letting the car live and do its work. I love a motoring museum as much as the next car girl but, in spite of the fact that permanent display pieces won't need to cause concern about the risk of using an historic vehicle in moder traffic, this wee darling is alive and has lots of character, I'm sure the car would sulk if it were to be mothballed and live out its days without having an occasional spot of exercise. Needless to say; I need to own such a vehicle. "Dear Santa Claus, please bring to me one of these, I know it's early to be asking, but my chimney will need to be opened up somewhat if you're to get something of this size into my home. Kind Regards, Jaye, 59 years old but still a little girl when I'm around special, rare cars, especially devices so cute.

[@eduardopupucon]

Thats one of the cutest comments ive read

[@peglegjim57]

She starts like I do on a cold morning! Slowly, and a little bit of back talk. 😂😎👍

[@potrzebieneuman4702]

I hear ya on that one.

[@user-jd9hw4in6l]

LOL same here

[@ludditeneaderthal]

What a gorgeous little gem! Here in the states we have a group that races repro cyclecars (or modern interpretations of them, lol). There are a few towns in our midwest that close down their streets to host roadraces for them. Awesome to see an actual original wandering the roadways she grew up in!

[@peteloomis8456]

Check out a place called Wheels through time in Maggie valley NC because they have some old miniature cars similar that one was built by Chrysler for his son that uses a Harley Davidson engine I think from the 20s if I remember. They specialize in old antique motorcycles mostly American made brands but they got some very unique things at the museum and every thing does run and gets either started or started and driven on the property or near by streets . Each year they completely rebuild a antique motorcycle to original specs using original rare parts and then they sell raffle tickets for someone to win the bike . A year or so ago they built a early HD knuckle head with a low number from the assembly line and raffled the bike off but Matt Wexler who runs the museum now after his father passed away was saying that there was another bike like it that was built either before or after his he built in the assembly line and this bike had sold at auction for 150,000 smackers . They completely rebuild the engine to like new specs but do upgrades internally to make them more reliable and to make more power so check the channel out here in KZbin if you haven't heard about this museum because they have some very rare bikes some that were factory race bike some hill climb bikes some old board track racers and others that were used for the international cross country races from one end of the country to the other which is still held each year to this day on old antique motorcycles plus they have some old cars trucks and even a old airplane that's powered by a very old HD motorcycle engine .

[@kevrussell5972]

That looks the perfect vehicle for driving round that village on , somehow it just fits

[@bigbasil1908]

Resident of the area : 'What the hell is that god awful noise?' Residents wife : 'Oh don't worry dear, it's Eddie. He's pre ambulating again'

[@Mercmad]

More like" it's him from it manorhouse again?" " aye"...

[@tariqelageli6552]

My goodness does it bounce like cars in cartoons when being started!! I understand the animations now 😂 Thank you for sharing the experience!! A lot of people are interested in these cool cyclecars..

[@Mcbunaen]

I enjoyed your film immensely! I read auto books back when I was a kid in the early 1960's and was always fascinated my the cyclecars. A film like yours makes it so real in a way that, of course, all those books could not. Thank you!

[@LuiWallentinGttler]

What a wonderful little machine. Perfect for some country side vintage motoring.

[@randykaminski6214]

Thank you! I wish there were more of these around. It definitely looks like an exhilarating driving experience!

[@franciscouderq1100]

20cm longer and 15 wider would do you good 😎

[@crashbox7130]

Great film. I love proper, vintage, motoring, especially cyclecars and light cars. I own a 1932 Morris Minor two-seater that I've managed to cover 11,000 miles in over the past 3 years. I took it up to the Scottish Highlands in June (2023) on a 1200 mile tour over 8 days in 28 degree heat... No issues. Hoping to take it over the France this year (it's closer than Scotland!). Looking forward to more grafton content.

[@robertmiedel4104]

The roads seem so narrow, that little cycle car seems right at home.

[@duncanseath745]

Wonderful pioneering engineering. Love the manual hand shove reverse action.

[@stevecoward3543]

Awesome entertainment, love how KZbin finds me stuff like this -Watching this on a ferry home in HongKong!

[@robleary3353]

Love seeing old bits of kit like this out and about, not in a museum gathering dust. Like most bits of kit of this age it has 'personality and attitude'... 🤣 Nice one, nuff said.. 🙂

[@andrewmacgregor8717]

I'm impressed with how smooth and quiet the motor is. Nice little unit. The chassis and body seem to be pretty robust too. The kick start procedure would have destroyed a lesser car 😊.

[@scootergeorge7089]

It would be difficult to build a "lesser car" than a cycle-car. But I am amazed Eddie didn't warm the thing up ahead of time so he wouldn't spend half the video in a fruitless attempt to start it. This thing makes an Austin 7 look like a luxury car.

[@joerosen5464]

I think it was best that he didn't do that to sugar-coat the reality of owning & driving a 100 year old piece of post-Great War​ poverty transport for the English masses...🧐@@scootergeorge7089

[@cRistinel54]

Wooden box on bicycle wheels and you call it a car ??? Bet for the British an electric skateboard will qualify as a car and require driving license 😅

[@Syngekhoomei]

Nothing between you and the machine. Looks like a blast

[@robinwells8879]

Delightful. Scary steering but delightful.

[@davidaustin2172]

You’re a lucky guy to have such a great car. How many new cars of today in 104 years time!

[@waterboy8999]

Not my bloody Volvo that's for sure!

[@joerosen5464]

​@@waterboy8999Should've gotten yourself a 122S, or an 1800 like The Saint drove. Good for a million miles, go watch those videos!

[@Cuddeldutt]

What a simple,cute and funktional car ❤

[@brettadams4153]

Awesome old vehicle. My grandfather had a 1915 Woods Mobilette Cycle Car (Illinois, US) but it wasn’t this small. Thanks for sharing!

[@edrowley1]

Thank you for sharing your experience! I agree with you, should be more interest in cycle cars. Best wishes.

[@pirateradioFPV]

About 900 times better than anything from the "aaaand here's a word from todays sponsor" channels.

[@orektez]

actually installed an addon to skip those, but it doesn't always work, since there's just so many people that do that.

[@stemdeckesupreme164]

I imagine if you could afford a machine like this then you dont need to make money off your KZbin career

[@pirateradioFPV]

@@stemdeckesupreme164 Have you tried, you know, having a real job. Not only does it pay your bills but allows you to spend money on things that cost money. It's weird how it works, instead of dreaming of clout and making it big in these platforms, you can have the lifestyle without the negatives. But I do understand the appeal of being a beach bum begging people to give you money, like and subscribe. No wait, I don't.

[@Govind_rana500]

You hate money

[@Brutaga]

Thanks for sharing, what a fabulous wee car. Hope you got over your cold, I’d imagine driving this little beast would be very cathartic and dissolve all your aches and pains 😊

[@Beetrecca]

This machine is beautiful Thankyou for sharing it with us 👍👍

[@Chr.U.Cas2216]

👍👌👏 Oh WOW, simply fantastic! Get well soon, Sir. Thanks a lot for making explaining recording editing uploading and sharing. Best regards luck and health in particular.

[@Vikingcat01]

WOW , Wacky races mobile , You could enter it into the Gumball Rally !

[@stevenaegele5228]

Interesting machine, thanks!

[@piotrs241]

Brawo. Za zachowanie kawałka historii. Mam sentyment do prostoty zabytkowych pojazdów. Pozdrowienia z Polski.

[@bobwalsh172]

Fascinating - the little Grafton looks to be a very good design - and it looks as though it works very well too.

[@roryglobalactivites4054]

What a fabulous bit of kit that is.

[@hartmutwrith3134]

Thank you Eddie for sharing this drive. I admire this little Grafton Cyclecar for a long time allready. It is an automotive gemstone! Greetings from Germany.

[@respektetoutlavi714]

That was uniquely awesome, thank you for sharing & keeping it alive for us all to enjoy!

[@eduardobruckenberger6244]

It is indeed a marvellous and nice piece of art! So glad to see vehicles like these ones on the street

[@doomoo5365]

That was a fantastic video and I love the countryside.

[@joshtaylor485]

This was really awesome to see, listen to and go on a ride together. i would enjoy driving such a vehicle as well

[@katherandefy]

Driving with your ear right next to the engine. And nose right on that lawn mower engine. Now ya know what people are up against out in the boonies. Not much country fresh air and deaf as well as cold. Real life. Adorable antique.

[@donaldhipple4921]

The narrow lanes look perfect for cycle cars. Thanks for the video.

[@qwadratix]

I'll swear that thing was going over the speed limit!. I expected it to chug along like a traction engine.

[@shanehnorman]

This is a beautifully-made video - camera angles, editing, story-telling, even the sound. The Grafton's so tiny it makes even a GN look as big as a Bentley - and almost as rakish (although I can't imagine how those 'flying' mudguards keep spray off the driver!). Transmission brake? I couldn't see any wheel brakes.

[@PRH123]

I think engine braking was the main way to slow down back then. I had an old Honda like that once, with just 1 brake out of 4 working, I got pretty good at it… :)

[@leifhietala8074]

Tiny little cyclecar makes narrow British roads look pretty roomy! The steering looks pretty shaky, no caster in the suspension angles?

[@imstupid880]

Great to see a piece of history like this!

[@peterrenn6341]

An utterly joyous machine! Spreads happiness everywhere it goes.

[@joerosen5464]

And clouds of black noxious smoke, & and an obnoxious amount of racket, too. Seems we've come along rather well with automobile technology in the succeeding 100 years!🤧

[@goosegog]

Nice video, which the KZbin algorithm provided for my enjoyment, which I did. Keep up the good work!

[@tomasrikona4021]

Thanks Eddie. Beautiful piece of mechanized history. Maybe a motor rally and ride through the wonderful English countryside next time would be great. 😃👍

[@guarionex1961]

Wow! Funny grasshopper 😂.

[@ponyexpressrc]

Man that car was made to be driven in those streets, its simplicity just makes me smile. Enjoy it as im sure you do 😆

[@WorivpuqloDMogh]

What a lovely piece of history 😊

[@mothMagnets]

What an absolute BEAST ! ! !

[@marial8235]

That car is just a lovely old thing❤

[@orpheuscreativeco9236]

I would love a kit car of this thing but with an electric drive train 😳👍 Very cool, thanks for sharing! ✌️

[@derb7462]

There are indeed some velomobiles with that vintage style.

[@orpheuscreativeco9236]

@@derb7462 Good point 👍 Maybe I should start there ✌️

[@russbetts1467]

WOW!!! Great little Car and great little engine. I had a 500 cc BSA Gold Star, back in the 1970's and had an inclination to put the engine into something similar, but it seemed like a waste of a good Gold Star engine; plus, the RRT2 racing gearbox would have been a problem. As it is, I never got around to designing the vehicle, so it never happened. I noticed the Chain Drive to the rear wheels. Not even a chain guard over it. I wouldn't want to be driving it when the chain snaps; Wouldn't do your 'wedding tackle' any good. Thanks for letting us share the ride with you. Happy New Year. Russ. Havant, Hants.

[@DexterDagger-wy9vp]

Sounds like several sewing machines arguing with each other! Way to keep it alive Eddie! 💕

[@semiperfekt]

Fantastic! Those bike wheels wobbles really scares me though xD

[@marlinhomrighausen5552]

Beautiful 🙂 Thank You for sharing something so unique.

[@JK-yu7hj]

Always amazed by how a small machine can take someone so far, really cool!

[@mrirurfkjsdo]

What a wonderful machine, Dude !!!!!.... and so cool ride !!! Thx +++

[@PhilipCockram]

I love the way the fenders ....Oscillate ...at different RPMs.

[@batacumba]

That thing is so adorable. I bet people had a lot of fun cruising in those back in the day.

[@theburningman5047]

Adorable little carrito

[@tomtomed1]

Thanks for uploading this!

[@gavinmurrell3415]

I say, splendid show

[@leonardarola]

Simply gorgeous. Thanks for the ride.

[@grahamcrighton8113]

Fascinating, more please!

[@wazquen]

How fantastic, so much better than standing there in a museum.

[@davejobe6282]

Watching this was the highlight of my day ! What a great treasure ! Thank you for sharing 😎👍

[@maniachill3069]

Very interesting, great video. Thank you. I believe that you need some more toe- in on your front wheels to stop the wobble. Hello from Maine, USA

[@nor0845]

Wonderful, just wonderful. Thank you for posting.

[@CarlosMesa-mk1vp]

Yes bueno thank you aca mirando este ciclo carro antiguo pero funciona como muy bien att" the charly"???

[@edradtke287]

What a wonderful piece.

[@jamestregler1584]

Good man go for the plug 😉 thanks from old New Orleans 😎

[@Vince-ml9gw]

Outstanding! Really awesome automobile history. Thanks for sharing

[@pabloiervolino2265]

Hermoso Vehículo !! Una pieza Única ,sin duda!!!!!

[@philipstreechon4523]

Brillant a proper sports car.

[@Shadobanned4life]

What a delightful contraption! Thanks for sharing with us.🌞

[@johnbuck8460]

Great fun.I wonder what it was like in 1919 on rutted unpaved country roads?

[@shanehnorman]

Sounds just like the roads around my place!

[@PRH123]

Probably OK with those large diameter wheels and forgiving suspension

[@joerosen5464]

​@@PRH123What suspension? Perhaps of disbelief?🧐

[@PRH123]

@@joerosen5464 front and rear axles are supported on the ends of leaf springs cantilevered out from the frame...

[@mikenco]

2024 roads in Kent are probably quite similar... You'd lose the Graftan down some of the potholes.

[@mikenco]

Hi Eddie. I love the little Graftan. Looking forward to seeing more about it, Especially interested to see the controls. I ride a 1929 Matchless T4, she sounds very similar!

[@leonardriesen9627]

Thanks for the Footage of this amazing Cyclecar! Is it Road registered? Greetings from Switzerland with a 1916 Cyclecar!

[@chipwright6193]

Your cycle car fits perfectly on those narrow streets! That would be such a joy to drive around in!

[@pdtech4524]

What a fun little car ! 👍

[@velvetvideo]

i love the simplicity of this.

[@ptonpc]

Fantastic to see you are keeping the old girl running. I'm sure others have said but the wicker basket seat would have been familiar to pilots of the time.

[@joerosen5464]

And you can also see how better health & diet have contributed to the size of the average person vs. what it was back in the era of the First Global Pandemic!🤔

[@mike-stpr]

Безумно интересно! Спасибо за замечательный ролик! Жалко, что почти ничего не сказано про ручки управления. Я так понимаю, что педалей там нет, только рычаги? СПАСИБО!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂

[@kastadelcosta2817]

Да и рулевые тяги на тросах. Интересная коробченка

[@user-gw4ij9ds2b]

Hi Eddie, what lovely thing that is. Very enjoyable piece of film. About kickstarting an old single, it might work if you feel for compression with the kick, and just slowly push it over that point (if it has a decompression device that might help), and then give it a kick. The flywheel mass then should help it over the next compression. My 500 Enfield starts that way, and usually just needs one or two tries. And before really starting to kick it just roll it over with the kick a few times to make it inhale fuel. Have fun!

[@opinion71273]

Such a nice vehicle, thank's you for this video!!

[@seatsotoca]

Awesome, Amazing, Gorgeous Pre war car o Cycle Car. Enjoy your ride!! Regards from Europe Barcelona Spain

[@animusfoxx6965]

Ho-ly-jeebus that thing is a death trap! That exposed chain right in the footwell is just exquisite. I love it. Better not wear loose pants!

[@joerosen5464]

And what WAS that bobbin with the rope coiled around it doing sitting mere centimeters off the road surface, that sat just behind & right in between the front wheels? A 1919 poverty-inspired alternative to a steering rack???🤪😬🤣

[@Dr.W.Krueger]

You sound like a boring person.

[@jardajarda7227]

Perfect Gnome machine.

[@MadDogSurvival]

Absolutely brilliant! Love it! Well done you 👍🏻👍🏻👏🏼👏🏼😎

[@thisissoeasy]

Wow! What a wonderful machine! Thank you very much for sharing!

[@unclescipio3136]

This seems like a great model to base an electric build on.

[@user-ut1hs4om8w]

Muito bom uma terapia lindo passeio 😊 moro no sul do Brasil🎉

[@MarcFresko]

Super! And thank goodness the car has such a lovely aerodynamic tail, otherwise it might be a tad slow.

[@joerosen5464]

I was more impressed with the ultra-low rolling resistance tyres on the ultra-low mass rims, myself...😎

[@b43xoit]

How about the pointy fuel tank?

[@MartinAhlman]

This was brilliant!!! Thank you.

[@jr-pl9kj]

that tiny car is definitely made for those narrow roads.

[@GoingtoHecq]

I don't live anywhere that is safe or practical or drive or park anything like this, but it is a wonderful machine. It seems great for where you are for just enjoying it. I love the profile of the fuel tank on the front of it when you are driving. I am shocked by the exposure of the chain to your feet though.

[@joerosen5464]

Hope you liked the exposed valvetrain! I know I did...from a sufficient distance, that is!😉

[@cratecruncher4974]

Thanks for sharing such a charismatic little car.

[@wingsleman5705]

Looks awesome. How fun