1927 Vulcan LFS 14Hp 6 'Twin Cam' Tourer

Description

Brothers Thomas and Joseph Hampson built an experimental car in Bolton (UK) in 1899 and three years later moved to Southport, to begin operations as Vulcan Motor Manufacturing and Trading. The first Vulcan car was a 4hp single-cylinder belt-driven type driving the rear wheels through a two speed gearbox. In 1903, this grew to 6.5hp with a shaft drive and the chassis was now "armored ash". Twin-cylinder 1.5 litre models followed in 1904, now with a steel chassis, and in 1905, two and then three litre four-cylinder variants appeared. Things kept growing and a van version came in 1906 along with large 4.8 litre six-cylinder models, a move to larger premises at Crossens, Southport, and a change of company name to Vulcan Motor and Engineering. In 1919, Harper Bean acquired 75 per cent of the company and added it to the group which included the Swift Motor Company and a number of components manufacturers. Post World War I saw the launch of the 16 model with a 2.6 litre Dorman engine. The Vulcans now featured a flat radiator replacing the pre-war "bullnose" type. The 12 model became its main product from 1920 to 1927, available with a range of engines from Dorman (1.8 litre), Meadows (1.5 litre), and British Anzani (1.5 litre). From 1922, Vulcan formed a business relationship with Lea-Francis, sharing manufacturing and dealers. Vulcan supplied bodies to Lea-Francis and in return got gearboxes and steering gear. Two Vulcan-designed and manufactured cars were marketed as Lea-Francis, the 14/40 of 1927 and the 16/60 of 1928. Both the Vulcan and Lea-Francis used the very advanced for its time Vulcan six cylinder engine, which was a twin-cam design of 1.7 or 2.2 litre capacity. Interestingly, while just five Vulcan 14/40s are said to have been made, 340 or 350 (sources differ) of the Lea-Francis 14/40 were produced. The association with Lea-Francis ended in 1928 when Vulcan stopped making cars. The Vulcan 14/40 was made until 1928, at which time it was replaced by the final Vulcan model, the 16/60, which only lasted until 1929.