BSA’s efforts in producing a successful four wheel
FWD car culminated in the Scout, introduced in 1935. This was a two seater
with pleasing lines and basically conventional sporting appearance. It used
the Threewheeler/T.9 nine Horse power engine, a single differential brake at
the front as per the three-wheeler, and drum brakes at the rear operated by
rods. Rear suspension was semi-elliptical springs. Chassis arrangements were
similar to the T9.
The Scout sold well, and BSA were encouraged
to produce a 10 h.p. (1204 cc) version which also featured a relocated
handbrake assembly. This appeared as the Series 2 (2 seater) and the Series 3
in both four seat open tourer and 2 seat coupe form.
At the beginning of 1936 the BSA car buying
public were faced with a choice of five basic FWD models plus many more fluid
flywheel RWD four and six cylinder saloons. The situation was rationalised
during 1936 by a reduction in the model range to only an improved version of
the Scout, in 2 seat, 4 seat tourer and 2 seat coupe form. These Series 4
Scouts featured an umbrella dashboard gear change and all round hub brakes,
rod and cable operated at the front.
A
promotional shot of a 4 seater Scout shot in Sutton Park, near Birmingham
Later Scouts were
fitted with a re-designed gearbox. While synchromesh could not be squeezed
in, the straight-cut gears were replaced with offset double helical “Silent
Second” constant mesh sets which gave a dog-clutch type engagement.
Whilst quieter and
easier for gear selection, the gears were not as strong and added a further
limitation on any attempts to increase performance.