| BSA Scout | |
| Manufacturer: | BSA Cycles Limited[1] |
| Production: | early 1935 |
| Assembly: | Birmingham[2] |
| Class: | sports car |
| Body Style: | open 2-seater, open 4-seater, coupé |
| Layout: | FMF |
| Engine: | 1,075 cc 4-cylinder in-line sv |
| Transmission: | three-speed manual gearbox, multi-plate clutch with a worm final drive. From the differential assembly a short universally jointed propeller shaft runs out transversely to each front wheel |
| Wheelbase: | 2-seater 90inches 4-seater 93inches) coupé 93inches |
| Length: | 2-seater 135inches 4-seater 146inches) coupé 140inches |
| Width: | 52inches |
| Height: | 2-seater NaNinches 4-seater 57inches) coupé NaNinches |
| Weight: | 2-seater 4-seater coupé |
| Sp: | uk |
| Nine engine | |
| Manufacturer: | BSA Cycles Limited |
| Production: | 1933? to 1936 |
| Configuration: | 4-cylinder in-line |
| Displacement: | 1075cc |
| Bore: | 60mm |
| Stroke: | 95mm |
| Block: | cast iron, in one piece with crankcase |
| Head: | cast iron, detachable |
| Valvetrain: | side-valve |
| Fuelsystem: | Solex carburettor, mechanical pump from 10 gallon tank at rear |
| Oilsystem: | gear type pump by skew gears from crankshaft |
| Coolingsystem: | water |
| Power: | not reported Tax rating 8.9 h.p. |
thumb|left|Suspension, transmission brake and differential
| Ten engine | |
| Manufacturer: | BSA Cycles Limited |
| Production: | 1936 to 1939 |
| Configuration: | 4-cylinder in-line[3] |
| Displacement: | 1203cc |
| Bore: | 63.5mm |
| Stroke: | 95mm |
| Block: | cast iron, in one piece with crankcase |
| Head: | cast iron, detachable |
| Valvetrain: | side-valve, camshaft driven by duplex chain |
| Fuelsystem: | Solex carburettor, (optional twin an extra five guineas), mechanical pump from 10 gallon tank at rear (6 gallons on four-seater and coupé)[4] |
| Fueltype: | petol (tank has a quick-action filler cap) |
| Oilsystem: | gear type pump by skew gears from crankshaft, de luxe tourer and coupé cars have an oil-pressure-warning green light on the dashboard, other cars have a pressure gauge |
| Coolingsystem: | water |
| Power: | not reported Tax rating 9.8 h.p. |
The BSA Scout is a small open two-seater front-wheel drive car, manufactured and sold by subsidiaries of The Birmingham Small Arms Company Limited, launched at the beginning of April 1935. On account of its front-wheel drive and low centre of gravity it was said to be remarkably stable taking corners in safety which would be impossible with a normal design.[1] This new addition to the range of small open cars for young motorists was intended to further embellish BSA's reputation for sound design, robust construction and complete reliability.[5]
At the front of the car was the engine, clutch, gearbox and a short stiff propeller shaft to the worm and spur driven differential and front wheel brake. All these mechanicals were (flexibly[6]) mounted as one unit positioned in a reverse to the usual order, the differential at the very front of the car.
The car's four-cylinder, 9 (RAC) horsepower 1075cc engine and transmission had powered thousands of BSA three-wheelers over the previous five years.[1]
The gearbox was centrally controlled by a lever in the facia providing three forward speeds and reverse[1] The propeller shafts from the differential to each wheel had flexible fabric joints and enclosed universal joints. The multi-plate clutch had two light alloy discs with cork inserts and ran in oil.[4]
The conventionally designed chassis was made of channel section side members suitably braced by cross members.[4] Suspension was by eight quarter-elliptic springs in front—four to each wheel giving independent front springing.[1]
Rear suspension was by ordinary half-elliptical springs to a beam axle.
The single brake for the front wheels was a part of the differential unit. The rear brakes were on each wheel.[3]
Electrical equipment was six-volt and a five lamp set supplied with dip and switch control to the head lights was included.[4] The tyre size is NaNx.
The pneumatic cushioned upholstery was leather and the frame of the body of ash panelled in aluminium.[4] An open two-seater it had attractive and sporting lines yet with enough leg and elbow room.[1]
During 1936 an open four-seater sports tourer body also became available at £169.10.0.[3] [6] and a two-seater coupé complete with recessed traffic indicators, sunshine roof and other closed car fittings: £185.[6] These bodies became known as series 3.
A new two-seater drophead coupé was announced in August 1939 (similar to the car which won the coachwork award in the Welsh Rally. The price was to be £195[7]
Initially (open two-seater) £149.10.0[1]
The car was built for speeds approaching 70mph. Petrol consumption was expected to be an average of 35to.[1]
For the October 1936 Earls Court Motor Show the engine capacity was increased to 1203cc.[3]
Also for the October 1936 Motor Show—either a two-seater coupé by Mulliners or a 4-seater open tourer on the same chassis as the 2-seater named series 2.[3] [6]
Shock absorbers were fitted all round. Front braking was now by brakes on the front wheels.[4]
The motoring correspondent of The Times described the two-seater as "a rakish looking body with two wide cut-away doors with cord-operated locks and pockets. The floor is flat and unobstructed, there is luggage space in the tonneau behind the squab with a cover, and the hood folds down completely when it is concealed. There is a single panel safety glass folding screen with a curved top line and the detachable side screens are stored behind the squab. The instruments are in front of the driver with a good-sized cupboard and grabrail on the left."[4]
"The coupé two-seater is of airline type and there is a bench type of seat with adjustment to the back and good luggage space behind. A sliding roof, safety glass windows, a windscreen which can be wound out, a rear blind, ventilators in the side of the scuttle, large headlamps with stone guards, a spare wheel, door locks, a sports spring steering wheel, flush fitting traffic indicators, a roof light and an inside reflecting mirror are included."[4]
A switch to a more powerful 12-volt electrical system and to Bendix cable brakes.[8]
Easy-clean (pressed steel) wheels are now fitted in place of the wire wheels. The coupé is now a 4-seater. The 9.8 engine has been redesigned, water-jacketing has been increased and a three-bearing crankshaft incorporating improved lubrication is now provided. Induction improvements include larger valves and a downdraught carburettor. The front and rear tracks are now the same—4inchesft0inchesin (ftin) and the wheelbase of all cars is now 7inchesftNaNinchesin (ftin).[9]
A new drophead coupé 2-seater was announced on 1 August 1939[10] but war broke out on 3 September and very few of these cars were made.