Poirier Motor Tricycle

[Sav]

Was fettling the M23 for its first serious run for yonks and heard a puttering coming down the lane. Rushed out to see what it was and saw  an old motor tricycle, never seen the like before.

Looked it up on DVLA and found it was  a French Poirier motor tricycle like the one below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1TopEM8a-k

Most unusual!

[Greybeard]

I've been hearing about a low powered vehicle in France that unlicensed drivers can use. It seems banned drivers are allowed to use these things. Maybe that trike is an example.

[Swarfcut]

I reckoned it was the curious amalgam of a wheelchair and a Puch Maxi Moped. Sure enough an internet search indicates Poirier have some background in providing personal transport for War Wounded Servicemen, so in fact purveyors of probably some of the most dangerous vehicles ever to take to the road*.

    I found a hand powered version on sale, yours for just under £1000 plus delivery from France.

 Also found an Excelsior Consort on ebay. Time for GB and others to watch and weep..... This one's missing the toolbox for starters and is the basic rigid frame model.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313543442245?hash=item4900a53f45:g:tWAAAOSwDtlgrlx6
 
  We bought bikes like this for literally shillings and had great fun on the fields where Junction 7 of the M6 now roars. They got given away to the scrappy.

 * Fibreglass bodied eggshell on wheels Invacar powered by a nauseous Villiers PunyPower  is another strong contender.

 Swarfy.

[Greybeard]

... found an Excelsior Consort on ebay. Time for GB and others to watch and weep.....

I'll have a look.

[RDfella]

Excelsior consort? Basic doesn't even begin to describe those things. Rather like the James ML. Had three or four of those. Top speed around 35mph but a head wind meant dropping to 2nd gear.... Truly pathetic machines.

[Swarfcut]

 We also thrashed a James'98. Seem to remember it had a cable operated hand gearchange and only two speeds. Rigid frame, girder forks. The Viliers engine went on to power a lawnmower, the frame cut up with a hacksaw and thrown in the dustbin.

  They were both  "maintenance free" and reliable, so cheap fun for all was guaranteed. That's how we learned, not like the expensive and complicated system young 'uns have to go through now.

 Swarfy.

[Greybeard]

My very first motorised bicycle was a James Autocycle with Villiers 98cc engine. I was able to ride around a cinder service road that circled our house estate. When I was 15, I bought the Excelsior Consort with money I earned during school holidays. When I became 16 I was able ride the Consort with 'L' plates. My Consort had teleforks so a later model. Only two gears.

Pictures for reference.