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SLIDER: GN JAP

This GN JAP was displayed with two other GN cars at Rétromobile 2017 in Paris. It has been built from the remains of a belt-drive pre-World War I GN V-twin using only original parts from the period.  It now has a classic GN four-speed dog clutch chain drive transmission, but retains a wooden chassis.

The engine is however the most exciting part of the car.  Towards the end of 1908, JAP decided to develop a range of air-cooled engines for the nascent aeroplane industry, in both V4 and V8 formation.  This is one of the latter.

As the car only weighs 470kg (1,039lb), this 5-litre engine gives remarkable performance.  The car is used on the road for trips from its home in England to the south of France, and has achieved 37 seconds up the hill at Shelsley Walsh.  The solid rear axle means that cornering is always conducted sideways, but it is controllable and predictable.

 


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