Solved - NEH 5383: 1934 MEB Royal Ruby evocation

[Carnut]

What's this, by whom and powered by what - for 1 point?:

Remember - solving puzzles using 'Google Search by Image' is BANNED on AutoPuzzles!

[vasilis1200101]

1934 Ruyal Ruby (uk)

[Carnut]

1934 Ruyal Ruby (uk)

Christ Almighty!
How on earth did you know that?!
More detail required however, as you haven't answered all the questions yet.

[vasilis1200101]

It came across my eyes in a Uk classified ads site for classic cars, which I enjoy surfing. I don't know the car only the ad the sales it saying 1934 MEB Royal Ruby 3 wheeler boat evocation.
I don't know all the answers so let's give it to someone else! 

[Lavrakas]

This one is a replica of a 1927 MEB/Royal Ruby built (also in Bolton) in the early 2000s with according, to the auction house, a Citroen 2CV engine somehow connected by chain to a BSA rear axle; the front wheels and axle are Austin 7. It was commissioned by the local MP who had found the original pland in the Bolton town library - an interesting story.
I think Vasilis deserves the point.

[Carnut]

All right, I've given you both a point.
vasilis1200101 was correct with the name as it is registered as a Royal Ruby, but it is in fact an evocation built recently as none of the 12 or so (I believe) original cars have survived.
Its full name is the MEB Royal Ruby, MEB standing for, I believe, Maurice Edwards Bolton.  Maurice Edwards was the original designer of the car in 1927 and it is the only car ever to have been built in Bolton.  And this evocation does have a Citroen 2CV engine.
I note that it doesn't carry the registration number of any donor car however,  its number JKH 969 being issued in Hull in early 1948.  They must have simply purchased that number to make the car look old, but to my eyes (being somewhat anal about registration numbers!) it just looks wrong..
Well done both of you.

[vasilis1200101]

Thank you very much sir for the point and the additional info provided!
As posting links is not allowed I only have to add that I have seen two of them for sale.

[Allan L]

The sales description does refer to BSA and Austin parts but gives us no information on the rear drive arrangements. BSA trikes were front-drive so their rear wheel wouldn't help, but of course it could be a BSA motorcycle rear. It seems not to have a front axle as such, but that may well be an Austin 7 front spring that we can see. (Best view of the front suspension is on the dealer's own website)

[Lavrakas]

I guess the original had a Douglas bike engine or similar placed longitudinally (one cylinder to the front, the other back) with twin belt drive to the rear wheel, like an early Morgan, and the replica has a chain drive from a 2cv engine to a bike gearbox and BSA  bike rear end, a neat solution given the usual budgetary constraints.

[Carnut]

I believe all the original Royal Ruby cars had JAP engines.