Stafford Mobile Pup Auto scooter

[Roger HulettParticipant @rogerhulett83124]

Just wondered whether anyone on this forum knows anything about these.

[Roger HulettParticipant @rogerhulett83124]

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Hi Roger, interesting machine, can't tell you anything about it, but there seems to be quite a bit of info on Google.

Ian S C

[Roger HulettParticipant @rogerhulett83124]

The reason for my query was to find out if by chance there  were any  more out there. There are examples  in the three major vehicle museums, I have a couple and i recently made contact with another private owner. So I was just hoping.

Edited By Roger Hulett on 28/07/2016 10:14:43

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

I doubt it's any help to you, Roger, but others may be interested in this page:

**LINK**

1871-Michaux-Velocipede-Maison-Michaux-Cie-Parisienne-0

… Jason could probably turn-out some replica engines based on those photos.

MichaelG.

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Bizarre machine. Bet it handled uniquely with small front wheel with engine hanging off one side of it.

It does look like a good basis for a model though. Love those exposed rocker arms.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Hopper on 28/07/2016 10:51:40:

Bet it handled uniquely with small front wheel with engine hanging off one side of it.

.

Be grateful for small mercies …

[if I understood the description correctly] there is a flywheel on the other side.

MichaelG.

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

According to one site I looked at, it said that it tended to be a "bit" unstable due to the motor mounting possision.

Ian S C

[CirclipParticipant @circlip]

Can't see it being anymore unstable than the original "Vespa" scooters.

Regards Ian

[Roger HulettParticipant @rogerhulett83124]

It is quite true. The engine is 140cc single cylinder o.h.v. air cooled. The bulk of the engine is on the right hand side of the front wheel and is counterbalanced by a large cast iron flywheel on the left hand side. The spindle of the front wheel is linked to the engine directly by gear wheels.There is no clutch or gearing. Starting is by raising the valve lifter and pushing.The combined oil/petrol tank is mounted over the front wheel.There is no brake on the front wheel but the rear wheel has the benefit of a band brake.I understand that the early models (1919) did not have a seat for the rider and this refinement was only introduced in 1920. I have most of one Mobile Pup,3/4 of another and 1/2 of a third. I am not an engineer by trade and have had to learn/muddle my way through a great variety of engineering and casting techniques,and as I live in a fairly remote part of Wales,I rely very heavily on You Tube.

If anyone would like to correspond with me on the subject of the renovation of a Mobile Pup,I would be most grateful.

[Mike Robinson 3Participant @mikerobinson3]

Having just joined the forum after a number of years buying MEW, I browsed through the various topics and found this one. I feel I can add some history.

Thomas George John was born in 1880 in Pembroke Dock, won scholarships to the Royal College of Science, was a Whitworth Exhibitioner and worked for various well know companies before buying Holley Brothers in February 1919, mainly for the premises and skills in Coventry.

An early venture was involvement with Stafford Auto Scooters Ltd in the motor scooter, the Stafford Mobile Pup. The frame was supplied by The Birmingham Motor Guild and the engine was built and fitted by T.G.John Ltd.

Apparently Mr Stafford had a shop at the bottom end of the TGJohn works in Hertford St.

TGJ went on to found Alvis Ltd for the manufacture of Alvis motor cars.

The above is a synopsis of the early pages of the book produced by the Alvis Register entitled The Vintage Alvis.

Two members of the Register own Pups and one was part way through restoring his.

[Author]

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