All over Britain in the pre-WWI era, bicycle makers were morphing into automakers, as if knowing how to make a wheel was qualification enough to tackle the motoring industry. Raleigh Bicycle Company took its first run at producing a passenger vehicle in 1903 when it made the Raleighette, a three-wheel bicycle with a front-mounted basket to carry a passenger (eeek). The product didn’t attract many buyers, but Raleigh was not deterred: it approached the market again in 1930, making a van first, and then a three-wheeled, four-seat convertible – the Safety Seven. Teetering on a single front wheel, powered by enough engine to reach 55 mph, the Safety Seven was made from 1932 through 1936. Around 3000 were sold. Of course, far fewer survive today, but here’s one, listed on facebook Marketplace for $15,000 and located in Piggott, Arkansas. Thanks to Zappenduster for your always-interesting tips!
Raleigh had loaded engines onto bicycles as early as 1899, usually made by Schwann or Fafnir. But leading up to WWI, the company refocused on bicycles. When it re-entered the motorized bike market in 1920, it began making its own engines. Under the Safety Seven’s hood is Raleigh’s own 742 cc V-twin, paired with a three-speed Sturmey Archer manual gearbox driving the rear wheels through a shaft. Taxable output was 7 hp – thus the “Seven” in its model name. The factory claimed a top speed of 55 mph – which must have been terrifying!
The sparse cabin isn’t much more lavish than a go-kart – a smattering of gauges and switches, a sporty three-spoke steering wheel – and remember the seats in the school bus you rode when you were a kid? That’s about what we have here. The tiny pedals embossed with “R”, delicate gearshift, and separator bar to keep the passenger on his own dang side of the car – we could be looking at a kid’s carnival ride! The car comes with its top and side curtains – a minor miracle.
The rear “seats” are barely more than a parcel shelf. The body is aluminum, crafted in the typical British method of the time – fashioning panels around a wooden frame. It weighs about 900 lbs, about 550 lbs less than a Bugeye Sprite! Raleigh couldn’t find many customers for its little car, so for a final time in 1935, the company turned away from the automotive market to concentrate on bicycles. But that wasn’t the end of the three-wheeler born as the Safety Seven. Chief designer T. L. Williams left Raleigh to build three-wheelers in his backyard, founding Reliant Motor Company. Where Raleigh failed, Reliant succeeded, producing hundreds of thousands of vehicles until its demise many decades later in 2002.
Really? No, Raleigh. My 1st 10 speed was a Raleigh. The model escapes me now, a Record maybe, but 1 of the 1st things I bought new. That represented a LOT of grass cutting. Just about everyone had a bike with a Sturmey Archer gearbox, 3 speeds, but I think they made a 2 speed also. I don’t follow the naming this a “Safety” car, good heavens, looks anything but safe. I’m sure the Brits said the same about some of our cars in the 30s too. I still worry about a 3 wheelers single tire running in the “grease strip”, running over everything 4 wheelers don’t. The spare tire is a nice touch for that issue. It’s simplicity is outstanding, and a refreshing change from the electronic nightmares of today. Great find and unless the back seat passengers didn’t have legs, I’d have to think just designed as a 2 seater and gear.
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I picked Michelles post because they are widely read, I want to say something,,uhp, uhp, up, it’s okay, no I didn’t bump my head on the Jeep frame rail, I want to say something important to anyone reading this, and not on April 1st. I’ll spare the details of my hoaky return, but I can say, Jesse was more than cordial in an email to me. He told me of some great news about the site coming, and allowed me to stay. He could have easily banned me, but didn’t. I feel he is a good friend. I know, I’m getting to it,,,
at this time we, staff permitting, I want to try and get more members on board. For the cost of a Starbucks iced coffee, we can help keep this site going. This is unrehearsed, not compensated in any way, except for what a great place to hang out, I see that now, but always have. think about it, eh? It’s a group we can be proud to be a part of. Peace all,,
I have a 1946 bicycle with a Sturmey 4-speed hub. They also made countershaft gearboxes for motorbikes; didn’t know about the car ones.
I had always thought that the gearbox and rear axle were sourced from the Austin 7?
This is so cool, Michelle! Weird, too, but never mind that.
I have never driven nor even seen one of these, and I’d guess it might be a less-than scintillating experience. But there’s something about it that makes me wish I could give it a home. Maybe the look of a T-Series MG that has suffered an amputation?
I find it interesting that at least some of Raleigh’s suppliers — e.g. Sturmey-Archer — also provided parts for bicycle manufacture. I had a Raleigh bike with a Sturmey-Archer three-speed transmission in the rear wheel hub.
Perhaps Raleigh was dreaming of a GM-like future in which the boy started with one of their bikes, and when he became a man graduated to a “Safety Seven”?
Well Michelle. You’ve done it again!!! I always say I learn something new here on Barnfinds all the time. We had a couple Raleigh bikes growing up. And I certainly remember the Sturmeny Archer 3 speeds we had too. I never knew they made cars. the Raleighette you posted definitely looked a little hairy to ride in, at least that front seat, hope you had a good crash helmet. But this is really cool. And its these unique finds that keep me coming back, and being a member. Along with the great well researched write ups from Michelle and all the staff, and Fast finds finds too. Other individuals find so many different vehicles that I wouldn’t have thought of, or have forgotten about. Thanks again Michelle, keep ’em coming!!!
Hey look Ollie, Michelle found Grandpa! Didn’t even know we had a Grandpa.
It’s funny the word “Safety” is in the name of the car. If you have to drive on 3 wheels you want two in front and one in back (like a Morgan), which is much more stable than one in front and two in the back like this thing. With a single front wheel there’s a pesky tendency to flip over in turns.