Trojan 200 Bubblecar 1962
General description :
Model History
The Type 153 was Heinkel's three-wheeled competitor to the BMW Isetta, Messerschmidt KR200 and other bubblecars of the austere late '50s and early '60s. Powered by a rear-mounted single-cylinder, four-stroke engine of 204cc (later reduced to 198cc), it featured a front opening door plus a fabric sunroof that served both as a fair-weather accessory and escape hatch in the event of the door becoming jammed. European production was carried out in Germany from 1956 to 1958, and then under licence in Dundalk, Ireland from 1958 to 1960, and by Trojan Cars in Croydon from 1960 until the cessation of the model in 1966. The latter examples were marketed as Trojan 200s and were the last vehicles to bear the Trojan name, an example of which is featured here.
Equipment
198cc four-stroke engine, 4-Speed transmission with reverse gear, Canvas sunshine-roof, Tartan cloth upholstery with cushion, Footwell carpet, Rear bench seat, Wing mirrors, Petrol tap, Spare wheel, Jack, Owner’s manual, Workshop manual.
Exterior
This eye-catching little car presents beautifully in a gleaming coat of red, arguably one of the most desirable Trojan colours. The current owner (of 10 years) has recently treated her cherished “Bubbly” to a full body repaint along with all new windows and rubbers. The car looks stunning, not overly restored but to an excellent standard throughout. What really sets this example apart is the level of originality with most parts having been either restored, re-commissioned or replaced with period-correct items only.
Interior
The cabin space is particularly charming; open the large front door and take a step back in time. The seats have been re-trimmed in original-style tartan cloth and so present in excellent condition front and rear. Better still, all of the original features still appear in first-rate order, with only some expected light patina in a few commonly worn areas, namely to the gear shift gate and pedals. Carpet has been fitted in the footwells and improved sound deadening has also been installed behind the scenes.
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
The Trojan sports a 10hp single-cylinder four-stroke engine mounted beneath the rear bench, this example being the more desirable and reliable 198cc unit. With a couple of pumps of the accelerator she fires into life quickly and idles up to temperature without fuss. Powered is transferred to the rear wheel via a four-speed manual gearbox, which operates just as it should.
WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES
The car sits on three ten-inch steel wheels, with a spare mounted beneath the front seats. They are shod in a new set of Trelleborg tyres boasting a tread pattern similar to original specification. The brakes perform well on test having been refurbished very few miles ago.
History File
This wonderful little Trojan was built in Croydon and first registered in 1962. It has seen just four previous keepers with the current owner having purchased it from a member of the Heinkel Trojan Club way back in 2009. The car proved to be a good solid example in fine mechanical condition having been regularly serviced throughout its life. But, while the body and floor pan was sound, the original paintwork was a little scruffy and the perspex windows were also showing their age. Some light re-commissioning was then carried out costing around £5k overall. This work included having the interior re-trimmed, replacing the bumpers, replacing the fuel tank, fitting a new exhaust, and refurbishing the brakes, etc.
The current owner has a long history with Trojan three-wheelers and has been involved with them since leaving school. At age 17 her first car was a Trojan, and her father was also an Honorary Engineer for the Heinkel Trojan Club. Restoring “Bubbly” was certainly a labour of love but unfortunately, due to unforeseen personal circumstances, all major work on the car had to be put on hold for a while.
Pleasingly the restoration has now been completed, with the most recent invoice totaling more than £6,150 to include a full repaint in the correct Trojan red colour. Brand new windows were also fitted along with all new rubber seals, as sourced from the HT Club. A further £1,125 was spent on additional parts from the HT Club bringing the total recent expenditure to an eye-watering £7,275.
The finished product is what you see here, a shining example of a rare and unappreciated piece of automotive history. The paperwork is complete with an original Trojan 200 Owner’s Manual, Workshop Manual, and stacks of period documentation and magazines. There is also a raft of past MOT certificates and invoices from the HT Club, along with tax discs dating back to 1996. A hand-written log details the maintenance carried out under current ownership.
http://www.4starclassics.com/for-sale/trojan-200-bubblecar-for-sale/
1962 Trojan 200 Bubblecar is listed sold on ClassicDigest in Kingsley by 4 Star Classics for £20995.
Car Facts
Car type : Car Make : Trojan Model : 200 Model Version : Bubblecar Engine size : 0.2 Model Year : 1962 Sub type : Coupé Location : Hampshire
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Seller Information
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About Trojan
Trojan Limited, a British engineering company with a diverse history, is known for its production of two quite distinct types of vehicles: the bubble car and McLaren race cars.The story of Trojan's involvement in the automotive industry took a unique turn with the introduction of the Trojan 200, often referred to as the Trojan bubble car. This microcar, which was produced in the early 1960s, was a tiny, three-wheeled vehicle with a distinctive bubble-like canopy. It was designed to be a practical and economical solution for urban commuting. The Trojan 200 became a part of the microcar craze of the era and was a symbol of post-war ingenuity in vehicle design.
However, Trojan's journey in the automotive world doesn't end with the bubble car. In the 1960s, Trojan acquired the rights to build McLaren race cars. These racing machines were a far cry from the small, utilitarian bubble cars. McLaren race cars became synonymous with high-performance and success on the track.
The McLaren-Trojan partnership produced several iconic race cars, including the McLaren M6 series and the McLaren M12 series. These cars were known for their powerful engines, aerodynamic designs, and competitive edge on the racing circuit. They earned a reputation as formidable competitors in various racing categories, including Can-Am racing.
Trojan's involvement in the production of McLaren race cars contributed to the racing heritage of the McLaren brand and its eventual success in Formula 1 and other racing disciplines. The McLaren-Trojan partnership showcased the engineering prowess and performance-oriented approach that both companies shared.
In summary, Trojan is a unique automotive company that has left its mark in two distinct segments of the automotive world. On one hand, it is remembered for the quirky and iconic bubble car that symbolized practicality and innovation in urban transportation. On the other hand, Trojan played a significant role in the production of high-performance McLaren race cars, contributing to the racing legacy of the McLaren brand. The combination of these two vastly different contributions showcases the versatility and ingenuity of Trojan Limited. https://www.classicdigest.com/readers-stories/Classic+Digest+Crew/10