Date |
Chassis Number |
Details
of modifications and changes in specification |
APR.
1951 |
C/6/1974 |
 The Mark B 2/3 seater Tourer was introduced.
Although production commenced during week ending 28th
April, chassis numbers started with C/6/ - probably
because the first cars were not completed and tested
until 25th June. The new model retained the Villiers
6E 197 cc engine, 3 speed direct change gearbox, 6 volt
rectified electrical system and curved glass windscreen,
but now featured a coil spring rear suspension with
sliding block and guide bars, a hydraulic front shock
absorber, a larger luggage boot and a reshaped hood.
There was also a new type of foot brake pedal/cables
and a new starter cable. A locknut was even fitted to
the steering wheel! Front lighting was still by two
external head and side lamps of 12 watt / 3 watt capacity
mounted on either side of the body. Rear lighting retained
the single, centrally mounted tail lamp with the 3 /
3 watt double filament bulb. No rear brake light was
fitted.
Vehicle length 9' 1", width 5' 0",
height 3' 9" and weight 420 lb.
Colours available:
Pale Green, Light Blue or Pearl Grey Polychromatic cellulose,
Maroon, Ivory and Honey. (Red was introduced later and
Honey was discontinued.) Hood and seat colours were
the same as the Mark A. The first Tourer produced was
Pearl Grey Polychromatic. Price was £215 0s 0d
plus £120 18s 10d purchase tax making a hefty
£335 18s 10d (£335.90p)
|
APR.
1951 |
C/6/1974
to C/6/2138 |
A
modification to the lighting circuit was made. The Rectifier
case that had previously been earthed was now insulated. |
MAY
1951 |
C/6/2000 |
 Recorded as an experimental vehicle, body
colour Ivory. It is quite likely this Tourer was the
vehicle known as the E.S.C. (England’s Smallest Car)
and became the first prototype of the new Mark C. From
the bulkhead rearwards the E.S.C. shared identical body
styling and mechanical parts to the Mark B but had a
completely new front end and a door fitted on the left
hand side. The E.S.C’s registration number - ECK 67 - was
also issued at around the same date as this vehicle
to back-up the likelihood.
|
JUNE 1951 |
C/6/2019 |
The first Mark B recorded with left hand steering.
Body colour Pearl Grey Polychromatic. |
JUNE 1951 |
C/6/2139 |
A new lighting switch incorporating an ignition
lock was introduced. |
SEPT. 1951 |
C/9/2246 |
Recorded as a “Show” car, body colour Pearl
Grey Polychromatic. Registration believed to be BEG 458 |
NOV. 1951 |
C/11/2354 |
A new, larger sprocket was fitted on the front
hub. |
NOV. 1951 |
C/11/2396 |
The first Tourer recorded with a factory fitted
door. Over the next 11 months doors were fitted to another
93 vehicles. Body colour Pearl Grey Polychromatic. |
NOV. 1951 |
C/11/2404 |
New type rear springs were fitted. |
DEC. 1951 |
C/12/2428 |
Rubber buffers fitted inside the rear suspension
springs, replacing the rebound spring used earlier. |
DEC. 1951 |
C/12/2432 |
A rubber sheath was fitted to the rear suspension
guide bar. |
DEC. 1951 |
D/1/2475 |
The first Tourer to have the chassis prefix
“D” for 1952 was started during w/e 22nd December. Body
colour Light Blue Polychromatic. |
JAN. 1952 |
D/1/2480 |
This left hand steering Ivory Tourer is believed
to have been exhibited in New York during 1952. It was
owned for many years by American Showman Vic. Hyde and
after his death in the early 1990’s, it passed into
the hands of Canadian Microcar collector Bruce Weiner.
His collection went under the auctioneer’s hammer at
Christie’s in London on 6th March 1997 and the Mark
B was sold for £10,134.38p. Although very few
other details are known about it, the car is still rumoured
to have covered only 5000 miles from new. |
JAN. 1952 |
D/1/2507 |
A new braking system with a cross-shaft was
adopted. |
MAR. 1952 |
D/3/2703 |
The “Easistart” decompressor replaced the
cam-operated type and a new top bolt and shackle plate
now supported the engine cradle on either side. |
APR. 1952 |
D/4/2864 |
The first Tourer recorded with a factory fitted
electric starter. Body colour Pearl Grey Polychromatic. |
MAY 1952 |
D/5/2977 |
 The Sharp’s Minitruck was introduced. (Initially,
they were referred to as “Utility” in the Production
records.) A larger, upright rear body gave a carrying
capacity of 24 cubic feet or a payload of 3 cwt. and
the hood had a roll-up flap at the rear to facilitate
loading. A single seat for the driver only was fitted.
Body colour Cherry and the registration is believed
to be ERN 545*. Price was £265 8s 4d including purchase
tax. (£265.42p)
|
MAY 1952 |
D/5/2978 |
 The Sharp’s Minivan was introduced. This had
the same carrying capacity and payload as the Minitruck,
but the Minivan had a built-in compartment (with a door)
at the rear, hood/sidescreens and a bench type front
seat for the driver and a passenger. This particular
vehicle is recorded as having Flexitor rear suspension
units and an electric starter fitted. Body colour Ivory
and the registration is believed to be ERN
546*. Price, including purchase
tax, was £289 8s 4d (£289.42p)
|
MAY 1952 |
D/5/2992 |
This Minitruck (Utility) was the only one
recorded as having extra rubbers fitted to the rear
suspension. It is assumed these were to assist with
the load carrying capabilities. Body colour Red.
|
JULY 1952 |
D/7/3182 |
This Minitruck was the only Mark B recorded
with having a door fitted to the right hand side. Body
colour Ivory and registration number YMM
990. |
AUG. 1952 |
D/8/3153 |
 Glass’s Motorcycle Check Book listed this
as the introduction of the Family “Safety Saloon” but
the production records show it to be the third van produced.
The “Safety Saloon” used the same enclosed Minivan body
and rear door, but also had side windows and inward-facing
rear seats fitted. This gave enough room for two adults,
with two small children seated in the rear. (A “Safety
Saloon” was shown at the 1952 Earls Court Motorcycle
Show and research indicates at least another two were
made but unfortunately the records do not differentiate
between the Minivans and Safety Saloons.) This Van /
Safety Saloon is recorded as having “Rubber suspension”
which has been taken to mean it had Flexitor rear suspension
units fitted. Another vehicle, 3154 is also recorded
with “Rubber suspension” and along with 2978 they are
the only Vans / Safety Saloons recorded as such. Body
colour Ivory with the hood and rear compartment in Red.
|
SEPT. 1952 |
D/9/3072 |
The first of a batch of vans recorded as having
“small triangles”. It is presumed that these were the
pairs of reflective red warning triangles usually fitted
to the rear bodies of commercial vehicles. Also fitted
to 3126, 3128, 3129, 3250, 3274 and 3302. All had Ivory
body colour. |
SEPT. 1952 |
D/9/3214 |
This Minitruck was recorded as “Exp.” and
had “Rubber suspension”. It is assumed to have been
an experimental vehicle fitted with “Flexitors”. No
further details are known and no other Minitrucks are
recorded as having “rubber suspension”. Body colour
Ivory. |
SEPT. 1952 |
E/7/3297 |
This Family “Safety Saloon” was also recorded
as a van and appears in the production records during
w/e 13th September 1952. However, the test date is entered
as 3rd August 1953! Perhaps this goes a little way to
explaining why the vehicle carries a 1953 “E” chassis
coding and ended up being built with Mark C style rear
wings and Flexitor suspension units - although this
is not mentioned in the Production Records*. Body colour
Ivory with a Maroon hood and rear body. Registration
number NYP 960.
* During w/e 13th September 1952, 10
more vans and 2 unknown vehicles (possibly Tourers?)
were again recorded but not tested until July / August
1953. Why this should happen is not known and it might
be assumed they would also have had E/7 or E/8 chassis
number prefixes. The numbers are: 3127, 3273, 3281,3,5
3290,1,2,4,9 3304 and 3307. 
The photographs on the left show the vehicle
in its current "as found" and unrestored condition
in 2001 and in the top right is a picture taken during
the 1950's. |
OCT. 1952 |
D/10/3041 |
The first Mark B to be fitted with, a Villiers
8E 197 cc engine. (Also 3045 & 3081) These three
vehicles all had a passenger door and were recorded
during October 1952, but were not finally tested until
September and July 1953. Body colours were Maroon, Pale
Green Polychromatic and Maroon respectively. |
OCT. 1952 |
D/10/3326 |
An Ivory Minivan - “Show” model |
OCT. 1952 |
D/10/3377 |
An Ivory Minitruck with a Red interior - “Show”
model. |
OCT. 1952 |
D/10/3391 |
The Mark B was officially discontinued. The
last vehicle produced was an Ivory colour Minitruck
with Red trim. Although it was listed with an October
’52 chassis code, the Production Records show it was
not finally tested until 3rd August 1953. |
