# BSA Scout

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. 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.

## Mechanicals

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) mounted as one unit positioned in a reverse to the usual order, the differential at the very front of the car.

### Engine

The car's four-cylinder, 9 (RAC) horsepower 1,075 cc (65.6 cu in) engine and transmission had powered thousands of BSA three-wheelers over the previous five years.

### Transmission

The gearbox was centrally controlled by a lever in the facia providing three forward speeds and reverse 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.

### Chassis

The conventionally designed chassis was made of channel section side members suitably braced by cross members. Suspension was by eight quarter-elliptic springs in front—four to each wheel giving independent front springing.
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.
Electrical equipment was six-volt and a five lamp set supplied with dip and switch control to the head lights was included. The tyre size is 4+1⁄2 by 18 inches (110 mm × 460 mm).

## Bodies

The pneumatic cushioned upholstery was leather and the frame of the body of ash panelled in aluminium. An open two-seater it had attractive and sporting lines yet with enough leg and elbow room.
During 1936 an open four-seater sports tourer body also became available at £169.10.0. and a two-seater coupé complete with recessed traffic indicators, sunshine roof and other closed car fittings: £185. 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

## Price

Initially (open two-seater) £149.10.0

## Performance

The car was built for speeds approaching 70 mph (110 km/h). Petrol consumption was expected to be an average of 35 to 40 miles per imperial gallon (8.1 to 7.1 L/100 km; 29 to 33 mpg$_{‑US}$).

## Series 2 – Engine upgrade

For the October 1936 Earls Court Motor Show the engine capacity was increased to 1,203 cc (73.4 cu in).

## Series 3 – variants of 2

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.

## Series 4 – August 1937

Shock absorbers were fitted all round. Front braking was now by brakes on the front wheels.
* The price of the two-seater and the two-seater de luxe had been reduced to £149.10.0 and £156.10.0 respectively.
* Four-seater £159.10.0
* Four-seater de luxe £166.10.0
* Coupé de luxe £179. The coupé was now only available with the de luxe equipment.
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."
"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."

## Series 5

A switch to a more powerful 12-volt electrical system and to Bendix cable brakes.

## Series 6 – October 1938

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—4 ft 0 in (1.22 m) and the wheelbase of all cars is now 7 ft 11+1⁄4 in (2.419 m).
A new drophead coupé 2-seater was announced on 1 August 1939 but war broke out on 3 September and very few of these cars were made.
* series 2 open 2-seater standard, 1936 example
* series 4 open 2-seater 1936 example
* series 4 4-seater de luxe 1938 example
* series 6 2-seater de luxe 1939 example
* series 6 2-seater de luxe 1939 example
* series 6 2-seater de luxe interior 1939 example