This wonderful vintage `home brew' was built from scratch in 1919 by J A Mills of Mansfield. Having served an apprenticeship in the cycle industry he had progressed to working in the motorcycle business before running his own garage. He began constructing `The Busy Bee' single-seater immediately after WWI and completed it one year later for a total expenditure of £120. He then proceeded to use it as his daily transport for the rest of his driving life, covering over 100,000 miles. A three-wheeler in the Morgan style, its tubular frame was originally powered by a 4.5hp Stag engine but this was replaced by the current 6hp AJS V-twin in 1928. Drive is transmitted by chain to a mid-mounted Sturmey-Archer clutch and three-speed gearbox, from where a further chain drives the single rear wheel. Just 10 bolts retain the three-piece plywood body.
It spent some time with Pioneer Automobiles.
The current owners are true vintage enthusiasts and fought off fierce bidding to win this unique car at auction in 2013.
Vol. 4 No. 9 November 1986
By Mike Worthington-Williams in 'Finds and Discoveries'
