Category:Meccano Motor Car Constructor: Difference between revisions

Full-page spot colour advert, August 1932 [image info]

Meccano Garage [image info]

Special parts for the Motor Car Constructor outfits (1935) [image info]

The Meccano Motor Car Constructor sets started to appear in 1932, as a followup to the successful Meccano Aeroplane Constructor outfits the previous year.

Meccano Ltd understood that although Meccano was successful, it wasn't for everyone. Some people wanted to build model cars, but didn't didn't necessarily want the results to look like Meccano models. While Meccano tried to be logically faithful to the original objects, the results were always primarily Meccano models, and there was also an argument that although Meccano was perfect for building scaffolded structures such as cranes, and nuts and bolts items like mechanisms and machines, that perhaps it wasn't so faithful in an engineering sense for building model motorcars, where the originals invested much of their character in smooth streamlined body panels.

Like the "Aeroplane" sets, the Motor Car sets consisted mostly of custom parts (that allowed a range of car variations), and again, like the aeroplane sets, the smaller outfits weren't compatible with the larger ones. There wasn't always a huge variation between some of the smaller models, and sometimes the biggest visible difference was whether a spare wheel was attached to the rear of the side.

Outfit No.1 and Outfit No.2 were not compatible - No.2 produced larger cars (and cost around twice as much).

1932 promotional text:

Building Your Own Motor Cars!

The New Meccano Constructional Outfit

THE motor car is one of the most fascinating examples of modern mechanical development. The thrill of high-speed travel on road or track is rivalled only by the aeroplane, and the actual design and construction of a motor car provide an almost unlimited store of interest and education. Nowadays there are very few people who are not interested in some way in motor vehicles, and even those who do not actually own cars have a good idea of the principles on which they operate, and are able to pick out the best-known makes by noting their distinctive external features.

It is natural that cars should make a particularly strong appeal to Sleccano enthusiasts, and their great popularity among model-builders is shown by the large numbers of cars that are submitted in every possible "M.M." building contest. Meccano is splendidly adapted for building the chassis of a model motor vehicle, and the Meccano Chassis, Super Model No. 1, is a good example of the accuracy with which the mechanical features can be reproduced. The chassis does not by any means form a complete vehicle, however, for the bodywork and external features play an important part in the general scheme. Standard Meccano parts have certain limitations when employed for this purpose in model car construction, and for that reason there have been produced the Meccano Motor Car Constructor Outfits. These Outfits enable strikingly realistic models of sports and speed cars to be built – each one a masterpiece of design and workmanship.

In the Motor Car Constructor Outfits the interchangeability of standard Meccano parts has been retained, with the result that the builder can vary his designs according to his own ideas. The individuality of the models thus made possible is further increased by the introduction of three distinctive colour schemes for the bodywork of the models, so that the model motor builder may obtain an Outfit with which to build cars in the colours that attract him most.

In the first of these colour schemes the bodywork of the car is in green enamel, the mudguards and running boards are in cream enamel, and the seat is in bright red "crackle" lacquer that gives it a very leather-like appearance. The second colour combination has the bodywork of the car in brilliant red, the wings cream, and the seat section in blue ; and in the third scheme the body is enamelled blue, the wings are cream, and the seat section has red finish. To add to the smart effect of these colour schemes, the radiator, bumper bar, lamp rings and brake lever are all chromium-plated, and the realistic disc wheels and the honeycomb portions of the radiators are coloured red. The appearance of a Meccano car built in any of these colour schemes is extremely smart and the completed model is remarkably like the real thing

We must now leave the external appearance of the cars to deal with some of the outstanding mechanical details. Ackermann-type steering gear is provided for the front wheels, with worm and nut actuating mechanism, and there is a strongly built clockwork motor drive for the rear wheels. The steering gear has been carefully designed to enable an extremely delicate adjustment of the front wheels to be made by rotating the steering wheel placed in the dash. The front wheels are mounted on stub axles pivoted to the sides of the chassis frame of the model. The stub axles are provided with extension arms connected together by means of a track rod, which in turn is coupled to a bell crank with a nut block attached to this crank. The end of the steering column is threaded so that it may work inside the threaded hole in the nut block, and thus there is obtained in the Meccano car a very close copy of the worm and nut gear that is used on many actual cars.

When the steering wheel is rotated the threaded end of the steering column draws the nut block up or down, and consequently the bell . crank to which the nut block is attached is actuated. The bell crank carries a pin that engages with a slot in the centre portion of the track rod, and movement of this pin causes the track rod to be moved to one side or the other. As the track rod is coupled to the stub axles on which the front wheels are mounted, any movement of it will cause the road wheels to be swivelled, so that the model can be made to travel in either a right-hand or a left-hand direction. The accuracy with which this ingenious gear operates will be found particularly useful when it is required to set the model travelling on a curved course. By rotating the steering wheel it is possible to direct the car so that it will pass round various obstacles.

A specially designed clockwork power unit is provided for the Meccano car models, the clockwork mechanism being produced on similar lines to the famous mechanisms that have contributed so largely to the world-wide success of Hornby Trains. This motor, however, has been designed with special regard to the particular requirements of a model racing car, and it incorporates a spring that gives a remarkably powerful drive at high speed, together with an exceptionally long run. When fully wound the motor drives the car for a distance of 150 ft. at a scale speed of approximately 100 mph. !

Another interesting mechanical feature is the brake mechanism. This is of the internal expanding type, and is controlled by means of a brake lever mounted on the outside of the body at the right-hand side of the dash. The mechanism of the brake is particularly ingenious, and it provides an effective braking action on the clockwork motor while the latter is being wound up, and when the car is required to be kept at rest on the ground.

The brake gear consists of a drum having a split rim and a special tapered cam that is pivotally connected to the brake lever, which in turn is mounted pivotally against the side of the body. The rear road wheel, which is die-cast from special metal, is provided with a circular recess, and into this the rim of the brake drum fits. The tapered actuating cam is pushed into position between the split rim of the drum, and the control lever is arranged so that when in the forward position the brake is "off." To apply the brake the lever is drawn back, and the tapered cam then comes into action and forces the split rim of the brake drum outward. The rim then makes contact with the circular recess in the rear wheel and the friction results in a powerful braking action.

The addition of correct-type steering and braking mechanisms enables a series of interesting operations to be carried out when preparing the model "for the road." The brake lever is first of all drawn back so that the brake is applied fully. The clockwork motor is now wound up by means of the key provided, and the complete car is placed on the ground. If the car is desired to travel forward in a straight line, the steering wheel is rotated so that the front wheels are exactly in line with the rear pair; while movement of the wheel to either the right or the left will result in the car describing a curved path in its run. After the steering has been adjusted the brake lever is moved into the forward position, thus releasing the rear wheels, and the car will then move off gradually, gathering speed until it is "flat out"! The car will travel at speed for the full 150 ft. The best results as regards speed and length of run are obtained when the model is run on a concrete, tar macadam, or other surface that is both smooth and hard.

Turning once again to the external fittings and features of the cars, it will be noticed that two distinct types of radiators are included. These are interchangeable, so that either may be fitted to the model as required. The radiator fitted to the car shown in Fig. 1 is of graceful modern design. It has curved sides, and a " centre line," which is an outstanding feature in the design of actual modern radiators. The radiator incorporated in the car shown in Fig. 2, on the other hand, has parallel sides, and the general sturdy lines of the powerful British speed car that the model represents. Two types of rear body section are also supplied, one being of the rounded pattern as shown in Fig. 2, and the other of graceful streamline tapered type, Fig. 3. The wheelbase and overall length of the car can be altered as required. The car shown-in Fig. 1 is a short wheelbase type, while the models illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 have long wheel-bases.

Another very interesting variation in the arrangement of the Constructor parts is in building a light six-cylinder speed machine. Modern racing cars are classified in accordance with the total cubic centimetre capacity of the cylinders of the engine. The "baby" M.G. Midget thus comes in the 750 cc. class, which means that its engine has a total cylinder capacity of 750 cubic centimetres. Many light racing machines, however, have engines with capacities between 1,000 and 1,500 c.c.

Popular British cars in the "light racer" class are the Riley, Fraser-Nash and the Aston-Martin. Among the famous French cars of this type are the Amilcar, Salmson, and Bugatti, while numerous light racing cars are manufactured by Italian, German, and other Continental concerns.

It is possible to build a very realistic model of this kind with the Meccano Motor Car Constructor Outfit. Unfortunately it has not been possible to include an illustration of this model here, but it may be said that the model incorporates many of the features of a real light racing machine and is of the short wheelbase type.

Full constructional details for building each of the fine models mentioned in this article are contained in a new Instruction Manual included in each Motor Car Constructor Outfit. The constructional details are made clear by means of numerous illustrations, so that no difficulty should be experienced in reproducing any of the models described.

— , -, , "Building Your Own Motor Cars!", , Meccano Magazine, , October 1932

Prebuilt versions

The "MCC" models could also be ordered from the factory, pre-built. For the No.1 kit, the prebuilt variations on offer were:

• 1/1 Sports Tourer with Hood
• 1/2 Salon Coupe
• 1/3 Road Racer
• 1/4 Sports Tourer

The Meccano Two-seater Sports Car

In 1933, Meccano went a stage further, and produced a dedicated "non-constructor" model car, the Meccano Two-Seater Sports Car. This was similar in size but did away with the home-construction element, and was a conventional metal clockwork model with no assembly required. However, it was often advertised alongside the "constructor" outfits.

Full-page advertising

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  September 1933

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  October 1933

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  June 1935

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  August 1935

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  October 1936

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  April 1939

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  December 1939

Accessories

Motor Car Lighting Set

A wiring kit with tiny headlight bulbs that could be fitted inside an MCC car, and powered by a 3 Volt battery.

Motor Car Garage

" The Meccano Motor Car Garage provides accomodation for any Meccano model motor car or any other car of suitable size. It is strongly built, with imitation rough-cast finish, and adds the final touch of realism.

Inside dimensions: Height 5 in. Length 13 in. Width 7 3/4 in. Price 5/6

Example Models

No.1 Outfit models

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  #1: Sports Tourer with Hood

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  #2: Saloon Coupe

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  #3: Road Racer

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  #4: Sports Tourer

No.2 Outfit models

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  Grand Prix Special

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  Light Six Speed Car

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  Light Sports Two-Seater

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  Sports Tourer

See also:

• Car Construction Sets (Märklin)

External links

• Now that's a REAL Christmas present: 1930s Meccano set that's still in its original packaging is set to sell for £15,000 (dailymail.co.uk)
• May 2011 The Meccano Motor Car Constructor Outfits, by Tony Press (mmci.com.au)
• Meccano Motor Car Construction Set (famoustoys.nl)