Meadows Frisky Prototype

Manufacturer:	Meadows
Years of production:	1957
Built:	2
Class:	Prototype
Engine:	250 c.c.
Wheelbase:	5 ft.
length:	9ft. 8in
width:	4ft. 8in
Dry weight:	6 1/4 cwt

The Meadows Frisky "Everyman's Car" Prototype was first seen in 1957.

History

The car made its world début at the 1957 Geneva Motor Show. The revolutionary concept The" Everyman's Car Frisky " in engineering concepts and styling Meadows Frisky to accommodate two adults and three children .Built by the internationally known engineering firm of Henry Meadows Ltd.of Wolverhampton, a subsidiary of Associatcd British Engineering Ltd, of which the chairman is Mr. Lawrence W. Robson, production is backed by 40 years of expericnce in the automotive field.

It competes in low initial cost with any car in the world but at the same time it certainly has the most advanced and imaginative design and styling. The bodywork was designed by the well-known Italian designer, Giovanni Michelotti, in conjunction with the internationally famous firm of Vignale Of Turin, who built the prototype bodies. This small, four-wheeled, two-seater, utilized a moulded fibreglass shell with gull-wing doors The Villiers 250 air cooled twin-cylinder two- stroke engine which powers the " Frisky,"

The attractive lines of the Italian designed body incorporates the latest type gull-wing doors, which are hinged close to the centre line of the roof, allowing the maximum ease of
entrance. The windscreen is a complete wrap-round, giving perfect vision forward and this, combined with the large rear window, ensures the highest standard of visibility.
The chassis is of welded tubular steel, com. bining great rigidity with lightness in weight. The front suspension is independent, on the Dubonnet principle, using rubber in torsion. The rear suspension consists of two hydraulically damped coiled spring units attached to two radius arms which carry the live rear axle. The pivot bearings are heavy duty rubber bushes.

The car is powered with the Villiers Mk.2T, 249 c.c. twin'cylinder 2-stroke engine.incorporating the " Siba Dynastarter." This engine develops 15 b.h.p, at 5,500 rpm Fitted integrally with the engine is a 4-speed gearbox. It is of the constant-mesh pattern, with a positive stop gear-change mechanism. Internal ratios are 1.0, 1.32, 1.9 and 3.06 to one. The engine, reverses through the starter-generator which incorporates a special selector switch
The Villiers Type S,22 carburetter incorporates a cable operated strangler,The flywheel type starter generator is built on to the extremely robust crankshaft assembly and is linked with a 12-volt battery, which receives a regulated charging current when the enginc exceeds a speed of1,200 r,p.m. The engine reverses, through the starter. Transmission final drive is by roller chain direct to the solid rear axle, and the chain is housed in a scaled oil bath chain case on a brazed ladder-type chassis.

The brakes, with a braking power of some 230 sq. in. per ton,are effective. They are hydraulically operated, and require only very light pedalpressure, The handbrake operates direct on the two rear wheels.
Instrumentation includes speedometer, light controls, ignition warning. etc. Lights can be dipped dim or full ahead. All electrical services are from a 12-volt battery.The bench-type front seat is capable of seating two adults, plus a child. There are two seats at the rear for children or equivalent space for luggage. All seats are Dunlopillo unholstered, the front seat being adjustable in three positions. Normal maintenance has been cut to a minimum, there being only four grease nipples on the entire vehicle.
The overall dimensions of the body are 9ft. 8in. long, 4ft. 8in. wide, 4ft. 3in. high.The wheel bage is 5ft., front track 48in., rear track 34in. The weight of the car including 3 1/2 gallons of petrol is approximately 6cwts Fuel capacity is 3 1/2 gallons, including a controllable reserve, giving a range in excess of 220 miles.
The car will cruise at a steady 50 m.p.h. and average consumption, under touring conditions, is at least 75 m.p.g. This will prove an ideal car for the driver who requires economic motoring.
The " Frisky " had undergone a very successful 7-day, 24-hour-a-day, non-stop test, at 'the Oulton Park racing circuit. followed by stringent road tests to ensure
performance In total only two of these bodies were produced by Vignale, this design would be too expensive for mass production.