Well found Phil, most interesting !
Here is the man himself at an Ilkley Reunion Trial in Dob Park Splash on the well used AK 222, which is nowadays displayed at Bradford Industrial Museum as 1912, which looks true for the engine, whilst the frame looks more like 1914. There are modifications, including the sensible addition of a front drum brake, as the original bicycle-style caliper brakes would have been useless in the water:-
Here is a view which I took, which makes you understand what a strange looking vehicle it was.
The origins as a 2 track machine for wartime use on rutted muddy roads on the battlefield gave it an ungainly look, even though the wheel layout was the same as a motorcyle and sidecar.
Alfred developed the Sociable by driving his own personal prototype over a 5 year period, but did accept it’s odd looks, christening it “The Crab” !
With the Austin 7 as much cheaper competition, it was never likely to be a big seller.
(NOTE:- Sorry about the cheap advert under the top two photos, but I don’t seem to be able to get rid of it)
And if you want to know what (another) Sociable all bolted frame looked like, this is a replica chassis, showing the typical Alfred triangulated design :-
Built from a set of 48 tubes (+2 spares) :-
Paul,
To start the conversation rolling, here is a photo of John Catchpole taken from “Made to Limit Gauge” by George Stevens; just read the title !
