Topic: TEI #013 Solved - 1924 Seal 3-wheeler

[Tom_I]

What do you make of this device? The name and approximate date will earn you a point.

[magnette]

It's a Seal, and the fact it's steered by wheel, rather than tiller means its  after 1914 - they made them (in Manchester) until the mid 20's..

[Tom_I]

Yes - well done.

The source gives it as a 1924 "Family" model, powered by a 980 cc JAP engine. An unusual machine - it's like a motorcycle combination, but the driver sits in the sidecar. They were made from 1912 to 1924. I wonder if any survive. I've certainly never seen one.

[magnette]

Georgarno - Beaulieu Encyclopaedia shows a picture of one identical to this, with registration MB 9768, which appears to be at a modern event - the car behind it is a Mini... So at least one survives.

[Tom_I]

Interesting. I suspect it's the same car as in the puzzle picture - you can't see the whole registration plate, but what you can see fits with the number you quoted. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to be on the DVLA database any more, so I don't know what has happened to it.