Tamplin

Tamplin
Manufacturer Tamplin Motors
Production 1919-1924
Class Cyclecar
Body style 2-seat open
Engine 980 cc
Wheelbase 84 inches (2134 mm)[1]
Width 34 inches (860 mm)[1]
Designer Sir John Carden
Tamplin Light Car
Production 1924-1925
Class Cyclecar
Body style 2-seat
Engine 964 cc
Wheelbase 84 inches (2134 mm)[1]
Length 114 inches (2896 mm)[1]
Width 42 inches (1067 mm)[1]

The Tamplin was an English automobile manufactured by Tamplin Motors from 1919 to 1923 in Kingston Road, Staines, Middlesex [2]and from 1924 to 1925 in Malden Road, Cheam, Surrey. [3]

Edward A Tamplin, a member of the Sussex brewing family but with no direct involvement in the business, ran the Railway Garage in Staines and was an agent for the Carden cyclecar and in 1919, after contracting to take the entire output, purchased the rights to manufacture it. The car was powered by a 980 cc JAP V-twin, air-cooled engine mounted on the side of the body and coupled by chain drive to a Sturmey Archer three-speed-and-reverse gearbox and then by an exposed belt to the rear wheels. To avoid the need for a differential drive was to the left side rear wheel. The engine was started by a kick starter from the driver's seat. The clutch pedal, when fully depressed operated the brakes. The wheels were close together giving the car a very narrow track. Front suspension was independent by coil springs and the rear had quarter elliptical leaf springs. Some cars were fitted with Blackburne engines.

The open body was made of fibreboard made waterproof by soaking it in linseed oil and seated two people one behind the other. The body tub also acted as the chassis.

In 1924 a new, more conventional, version was announced with the engine front mounted and the car much wider allowing side by side seating. A chain mounted centrally replaced the belt drive to the rear axle. The car now also had a separate chassis

Total production of Tamplins is uncertain with Tamplin himself claiming 1896 were made.[2] but this is not supported by known chassis numbers.[4] At the busiest times up to 14 cars a week may have been made.

By 1925 the market for cyclecars was effectively over and Tamplin returned to the garage business becoming a truck dealer.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Culshaw; Horrobin (1974). Complete Catalogue of British Cars. London: Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-16689-2. 
  2. ^ a b c Georgano, N. (2000). Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile. London: HMSO. ISBN 1-57958-293-1. 
  3. ^ Worthington-Williams, M. (March 2001). The Automobile (magazine) - "The Tale of the Tamplin". UK: Enthusiast Publishing. ISSN 0955-1328. 
  4. ^ Baldwin, N. (1994). A-Z of Cars of the 1920s. Devon, UK: Bay View Books. ISBN 1-870979-53-2.