BSA Scout. Like today's Morgan cars, the BSA Scout of 1936-39 was the descendant of a three-whee

Although a pretty little car with its smart vee-radiator, folding windscreen and customary 'Le Mans' uniform as popularised by MG — two seater open body with cutaway sides and slab rear tank supporting a spare wheel — the Scout's engine was a side-valve four of touring type with two-bearing crankshaft, the main design novelty being the fact that it drove the front instead of the rear wheels.

Weight was only 580kg unladen, but the engine's 26bhp could manage little more than 100kph (60mph) flat out, although a twin Solex carburettor version managed 108kph (67mph) with screen folded flat, and the 1939 Series 6 had a 32bhp three-bearing engine capable of 115kph (70mph).

The BSA's front-wheel drive, descen-ded from the BSA three-wheeler of 1930-34, was a clever solution for its time, the short four-cylinder engine driving forward througha three-speed gearbox.

Final drive was through an underslung worm gear with differential and open half-shafts, each with two fabric universals and all, unfortunately, proving fine media for wear. The front track was 102mm wider than the rear, giving a pronounced 'crab track'. Front suspension was independent by four quarter-elliptic leaf springs to each side (as on the earlier front-drive Alvis).

Ride was firm but roadholding was excellent, the driven front wheels permitting fast cornering while steering remained light and positive — so long, that is, as the front and rear wheels retained the correct track.

The gearchange was unusual, being of dash-mounted 'pistol-grip' type, working with the 'push, pull and twist' horizontal action later used on the famous Citroen 2CV. A four-seater tourer and a coupe were also available on the same basic BSA chassis with slight wheelbase variations. While the Scout was more sporting in ap-pearance than performance, it was economical, safe and modestly priced.

Specification Engine: straight-four; 63.5 x 95mm, 1203cc; side valves; single carburettor; 26bhp at 4000rpm (32bhp at 4200rpm from 1939). Gearbox: three-speed manual. Chassis: pressed steel side members; front suspension independent by transverse quarter-elliptic springs (four per side); rear suspension by semi-elliptic springs; friction dampers; four-wheel drum brakes. Dimensions: wheelbase 229cm/90in; front track 122cm/48in; rear track 112cm/44in.