Editing Cyclecar (section)

== Characteristics ==
[[File:Violet violette gaillon 1911.jpg|thumb|right|1911 Violette]]
{{multiple image 
 | width             = 220
 | align             = right
 | direction         = vertical
 | image1            = LaVigneCyclecar1914.jpg
 | caption1          = Advertisement for 1914 [[JPL (cyclecar)|La Vigne]]
 | image2            = Premier Cyclecar ad (1912).jpg
 | caption2          = Advertisement for 1912 Premier
}}
{{more citations needed section|date=December 2018}}

Cyclecars were  propelled by engines with a [[Single-cylinder engine|single cylinder]] or [[V-twin engine|V-twin]] configuration (or occasionally a [[inline-three engine|three]] or [[inline-four engine|four cylinder]] engine), which were often air-cooled.<ref name="american-automobiles.com">{{cite web |title=American Cyclecar Manufacturers |url=https://www.american-automobiles.com/Cyclecar-Manufacturers.html |website=www.american-automobiles.com |access-date=25 December 2018 |archive-date=18 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618161553/https://www.american-automobiles.com/Cyclecar-Manufacturers.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Sometimes [[motorcycle]] engines were used, in which case the motorcycle gearbox was also used.

All cyclecars were required to have clutches and variable gears.{{citation needed|date=December 2018}} This requirement could be fulfilled by even the simplest devices such as provision for slipping the belt on the pulley to act as a clutch, and varying of the pulley diameter to change the gear ratio. Methods such as [[Belt (mechanical)|belt drive]] or [[chain drive]] were used to transmit power to the drive wheel(s),<ref name="autos.ca">{{cite web |title=Motoring memories - Cyclecars |url=http://autos.ca/articles/bv/cyclecars.htm |website=www.autos.ca |access-date=25 December 2018}}</ref> often to one wheel only, so that no [[differential (mechanical device)|differential]] was required.{{citation needed|date=December 2018}}

The bodies were lightweight and sometimes offered minimal weather protection or comfort features.

The rise of cyclecars was a direct result of reduced taxation both for registration and annual licences of lightweight small-engined cars. On 14 December 1912, at a meeting of the Federation Internationale des Clubs Moto Cycliste, it was formally decided that there should be an international classification of cyclecars to be accepted by the United Kingdom, Canada, United States, France, The Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Austria and Germany. As a result of this meeting, the following classes of cyclecars were defined:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Class !! Max. weight !! Max. [[displacement (engine)|displacement]] !! Min. tyre section
|-
| Large || {{convert|350|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} || {{convert|1100|cc|abbr=on}} || {{convert|60|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
|-
| Small || {{convert|150|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} || {{convert|750|cc|abbr=on}} || {{convert|55|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
|}