Canadian Motors Scenic

## Canadian Scenic

1959 Canadian Scenic 1200

The **Canadian Motors Scenic** was a limited-production four-wheeled bubble car produced by Canadian between 1956 and 1959. Production was transferred under license to Invacar in the United Kingdom in 1959; however the license was withdrawn shortly afterwards due to manufacturing difficulties and poor quality control. Production has not since continued, leaving this car in a niche spot within Canadian Motors' model range.

However, Canadian Motors has since teased about a possible revival of the car's name but there has been no words on if such a revival would happen.

## **History & Design**

The Scenic originated with the UK design lead of Canadian Motors, Anthony Campbell. In the late 1950s, the European division of Canadian Motors was designing small economical cars like this - but had difficulty putting this into actuality due to tight post-war funds. Anthony had wanted and decided to do a small cheap car for mass distribution. By 1956, he and the UK division of Canadian Motors has designed the car and named it the Scenic.

When the Scenic was released to the UK public, it caused a rippling sensation as it was unlike anything the company has pumped out previously. Small (only 2470mm (107 in) long by 1470mm (57.8 in) wide) and trapezoid-shaped, with plexiglass windows, the entire front end of the car hinged outwards to allow entry. In the event of an accident, the driver and passenger were to exit through the sliding plexiglass windows. The steering wheel and instrument panel swung out with the single door in the front, simplifying access to the single bench seat with a similar door providing entry to the storage area in the back of the car. The seats provided reasonable comfort for two occupants, and perhaps a small child. Behind the seat was a large parcel shelf with a spare wheel located below. A heater was optional. Ventilation was provided by simply opening the sliding plexiglass windows on either side of the car.

Power for the Scenic came from the consumer's choice of either a 1207cc (1.2L) or 1424cc (1.4L) inline 4 engines in both 45 and 50 horsepower variants. The engine was started by a combination generator-starter known as *OmniStart*. An automatic transmission provided two forward speeds and one reverse gear. A chain drive connected the gearbox to a independent rear axle. The first prototypes had one wheel at the rear, but having a single rear wheel made the car prone to roll-overs, so the rear wheel layout was changed a conventional setup.

The Scenic took either 30 seconds or 22 seconds to reach 100 km/h (62 mph) from rest depending on the engines. Top speed was either 123 km/h (77 mph) or 84 mph (135 km/h). The fuel tank held only 13 litres (3.4 US gal; 2.9 imp gal); the Scenic would get anywhere from 8.4L/100 km (28 mpg) to 7.8L/100 km (30 mpg).

After constructing some 7,000 units, production of the Scenic ceased in 1959. However, Invacar picked up production of the car until the license was revoked in 1960 due to difficulties adapting the car for use with people with disabilities and poor build quality.

## **Invacar 1200**

The **Invacar 1200** was intended as an adapted and enlarged Scenic for use with people with disabilities that would otherwise prevent them from being able to drive conventional cars.

The front end and rear end of the Invacar was virtually unchanged from the Scenic, but the Invacar's chassis was extended to accommodate 4 people in wheelchairs. Invacar would ditch the independent rear suspension with chain-driven transmission for a more conventional driveshaft and solid axle, which would be used on all subsequent Invacars produced in the next 4 decades. Because of the increased size and weight, the 1200 had a more powerful engine than the Scenic. Top speed was 103 km/h (64 mph).

In one year, only 1,500 units of the 1200 were produced, largely due to difficulty building the car and subsequently poor build quality, and due to consumers wanting cars that looked like cars, and lost interest in consumer models.

On 31 March 2003, all Invacars owned by the government were recalled and scrapped because of safety concerns. The vehicle did not meet modern-day government regulations, which required approval under the Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval scheme as part of a standard set by the European Union. There were still around 200 Invacars in the UK before the 2003 recall and scrapping program. Hundreds of stockpiled Invacars in government warehouses were scrapped, along with all their spare parts. A few examples survive with private owners and museums. Invacars can still be used on UK roads; only vehicles owned by the government were scrapped. As of 2022, there were 6 examples registered in the UK.