Smyk (car)

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Smyk
Smyk at Muzeum inzynierii Miejskiej in Krakow (5).JPG
Overview
ManufacturerBiuro Konstrukcji Przemysłu Motoryzacyjnego
Production1957–1959
Body and chassis
Class Microcar
Layout Rear-wheel drive
Related Mikrus MR-300
Powertrain
Engine S03 (from Junak motorcycle), 1 cylinder, four-stroke, 11kW/5500rpm, 349ccm, compression 6.8:1
Transmission 4(+4 reverse) speed
Dimensions
Wheelbase 1,700 mm (66.9 in)
Length2,950 mm (116.1 in)
Width1,300 mm (51.2 in)
Height1,370 mm (53.9 in)
Curb weight 470 kg (1,036 lb)

The Smyk was a Polish microcar prototype designed in 1957. [1] Its unique characteristic was that the door was located in the front of the car. [2]

Contents

Concept

Smyk rear view Smyk at Muzeum inzynierii Miejskiej in Krakow.JPG
Smyk rear view

The objectives were to create the cheapest possible microcar accommodating four people in the 2+2 system, i.e. two adults and two children. Access to the rear seat was possible only after folding the front passenger seat. The door was a tilting (downwards) front cover, so that the sides of the body could carry loads, and the shape of the body itself did not require deeper extrusion. The car did not have a trunk, and on the dashboard there was only a speedometer, a battery charging indicator and a turn signal switch with an indicator light.

As a drive for prototype vehicles served the engine from the Junak M07 motorcycle with a dynamostarter and a blower installed. Independent suspension was used for all four twelve-inch wheels: transversely arranged torsion bars. The wheels were assembled from two parts, of which the inner, light metal served at the same time as the wheel hub, and the outer, steel one as the right wheel. Smyk was also built with a body made of three-layer laminates.

Smyk was to be manufactured at Szczecińska Fabryka Motocykli (SFM) plant in Szczecin. However, plans for its production were shelved, as another microcar, Mikrus MR-300, was approved for serial production. Only a trial series of 17 (or 20, according to other sources) Smyks were produced by SFM.[ citation needed ]

The designers of the vehicle were:

The project was the result of cooperation between Kończykowski, Ossowski, Sawicki, Zaręba, Sitnicki and others.

Specifications

Top speed: 70 km/h (43 mph)

Fuel consumption: 5 L/100 km

Existing examples

There are about 10 Smyks still in existence. These are located as follows:

References

  1. "Historia polskiej motoryzacji – Polskie Prototypy" (in Polish). www.mimk.com.pl. Archived from the original on 2007-08-27. Retrieved 2007-10-01.
  2. "PKF - Prototyp samochodu "Smyk"" (in Polish). www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2013-08-31.
  3. "Sense of Industry by Janusz Zygadlewicz". Culture.pl (Adam Mickiewicz Institute). Retrieved 20 September 2024.