Believed to be the only road-registered ATCO Trainer in the world
One of approximately 350 sold before production was halted by the outbreak of WWII
Original seat material and original wheels with tyres retained
UK V5C held in the seller's name
The Appeal
Children pick up new skills much more readily than adults, so there's probably a great deal we can learn from ATCO Junior Safety-First Trainer. Launched on 16th June 1939 by Charles H Pugh Ltd of Whitworth Works, Birmingham, better known as manufacturers of ATCO lawn mowers, it was designed to teach children as young as seven to drive, using full-sized car controls in a miniature body powered by a rear-mounted 98cc Villiers two-stroke engine. With the outbreak of World War Two cutting production short after just three months, only around 350 were built, with unsold examples broken up for the war effort. Survivors are very rare.
This example is believed to be unique among surviving Trainers in holding a UK road registration, granted by the DVLA in 2010 after the owner investigated MOT rules, had the vehicle tested, and successfully applied, inspired by a 1939 photograph of a road-registered ATCO Trainer being driven through a city. It retains its original seat material, which the vendor describes as rare and delightful to see, and comes with both a set of replica wheels fitted with alternative tyres, the correct-size originals having become unobtainable, and the original wheels with their original Dunlop tyres. The original pedal extender blocks, as supplied new with the Trainers, are also included.
Previously restored at some point, with a repair panel added along the bottom of the bodywork
Original seat material retained
Replica wheels and tyres acquired from Vintage Tyres in Beaulieu in 2010, commissioned to accept an alternative, similarly sized tyre after the correct Dunlop 16×2½ size became unobtainable
Original wheels with original tyres also retained and included in the sale
Original pedal extender blocks, as supplied new with the Trainers, included
Powered by a 1hp 98cc 2-stroke ATCO-Villiers rear-mounted engine
Full-sized car controls, including accelerator, brake, and clutch pedals in the normal positions
Single forward and reverse gears driven through a cone clutch by chain transmission
Started by a pull-handle located between the two seats
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