Warne (car)

The Warne was a British 4-wheeled cyclecar made from 1912 to 1915 by Pearsall Warne Ltd at the Icknield Works in Letchworth, Hertfordshire.

Warne 8
1914 Warne
Overview
Manufacturer	Pearsall Warne Ltd
Production	1912-1915
Body and chassis
Class	cyclecar
Body style	two seat open
Powertrain
Engine	JAP V twin cylinder 964 or 1070 cc[1] also Precision V-twin of 964cc in air-cooled or water-cooled form
Dimensions
Wheelbase	78 in (1,981 mm) or 84 in (2,134 mm)[1]
Length	114 in (2,896 mm)[1]
Width	50 in (1,270 mm)[1]

The car had a lightweight two-seat open body with full weather equipment. The car was launched in 1912 fitted with a JAP, V twin air-cooled engine of 964 cc with an RAC horsepower rating of 8 hp.^[2] but by the 1913 Olympia show the company had swapped to using F. E. Baker Ltd Precision 50 degree V-twin engines of 964cc.^[3] One model had the air cooled version of the engine, and the other used the water-cooled version.

In the original car the drive was to the rear wheels by belts, but the water-cooled version for 1913 had a 3-speed with reverse gearbox, the air-cooled version retaining the belt system. The suspension used half elliptic leaf springs all round.

The engine size increased to 1070 cc in 1915.

It originally cost £99.^[4] The 1914 models with Precision engines were £120 for the air-cooled version and £130 for the water-cooled version. The air-cooled version was given a conventional appearance by fitting a dummy radiator.

In mid 1913 six cars a week were being made.^[4]

See also

• List of car manufacturers of the United Kingdom