samedi 18 juin 2016

Briggs & Stratton Flyer

Puisque je suis dans les voiturettes à roues-rayon, en voici une repérée depuis longtemps, un must en la matière : une Briggs & Stratton Flyer !

depuis le temps, elle est malheureusement vendue !












Je vous le fais dans le texte anglais :

The early days of the Motorcar have brought about some very interesting solutions to self-propelled transportation. It was a time of grand experimentation. Car builders were producing a vast array of machines that ranged from the bizarre and silly to the brilliantly simple. Some went on to greatness, while others became mere footnotes in the vast history of the automobile. One such footnote comes courtesy of A.O. Smith and his little Smith Flyer minicar. What looks like a cross between a Radio-Flyer toboggan, a bicycle and a Go-Kart, the Smith Flyer was a tiny thing at just 70 inches long that featured two bucket seats, a steering wheel, some floor boards and, well, little else. The only thing that differentiated the Smith Flyer from a gravity racer was the tiny two-horsepower engine that hung off the back. The engine powered a unique motor-wheel that was hinged to contact the ground and provide forward momentum. Although only capable of two horsepower, it weighed in at just 135 pounds, and – providing the passengers aren’t too heavy – could return at least a moderate bit of speed. 

In 1919, Smith sold the rights for his buggy to Briggs & Stratton, who renamed it the “Auto Red Bug”, and later “Briggs & Stratton Flyer”, who continued to produce it until about 1920. The Flyer was mainly seen as a novelty item for the wealthy or as a fun source of transport around amusement parks. Today, a small group of loyal collectors now covet these little buggies, more than just a novelty; these are highly sought after collector pieces.


This fully restored example is surely one of the very best Briggs & Stratton Flyers in existence. It hails from 1919-1920, and was most recently part of the highly regarded Sterling Walsh collection. While certainly a minimalist machine, it has been beautifully restored and remains in outstanding condition. Careful attention has been paid to every detail, from the signature red paint on the fenders and wheels to the Briggs & Stratton engine which beautifully detailed with correct plating and finishes and decals. The wooden floors/chassis are excellently presented and the paint quality is outstanding – well above what one would normally expect on a vehicle of this sort.


This Briggs & Stratton Flyer is a charming and fabulously presented little vehicle that would make a wonderful addition to any collection of early motorcars, automobilia or Voiturette. For discerning collectors of automobilia and early motoring history, we are confident this would be a delightful addition to any collection, and would certainly make for great fun from behind the wheel.