Ner-a-Car
A Brief History of the Marque: Ner-A-Car
Designed by American Carl Neracher during the First World War, these
unusual machines were built first in England and then later also in Syracuse,
New York. They featured a low-slung steel chassis with hub-centre steering
and transmission by friction drive to the rear wheel on early designs.
The steel chassis, which was more like that of a car, housed two-stroke
engines of 221cc and four-strokes of up to 347cc in sv and ohv configuration.
The design met some resistance in the United States and in 1919 backing
was found in Shefield, England where the Simplex company agreed to build
the machine for Britain and its colonies, excepting Canada. Simplex began
production in 1921, and the following year backing was also found in the
USA where the first machines left the Ner-a-Car Corporation's Syracuse,
New York factory.
In 1922 the strange little contraptions were soon the talk of the town
after Cannonball Baker rode one coast to coast, NY to Los Angeles, in 8
days. He spent 172 hours in the saddle, and averaged 30mph. He stayed off
the freeway.
Text and logo courtesy Sheldon's
EMU
Ner-a-Car 1921
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| Ner-a-Car 1921 |
Norton
The first Nortons were produced in England by James Lansdowne Norton
in 1902-1903 marketed as Energette motorcycles and powered by French Clement
engines. By 1908 the Norton concern was producing its own 633cc sidevalve
engine which propelled the very successful Big Four.
During the 1930's Norton dominated road racing, winning almost all the
major TT races from 1931 to 1938. After the war their success on the track
continued until the late fifties when Italian multis heralded the end of
an era for Norton.
Their commercial success continued unabated, however, until the Asian
onslaught of the late 60's put the writing on the wall for the antiquated
English manufacturing techniques.
Text and logo courtesy Sheldon's
EMU
