Built by British motor firm, Dunkley, in Birmingham, the Dunkley Pramotor was the company’s fourth attempt at a useful automobile to meet unmet needs.
Launched in 1923, the one-wheeled power pack was designed to be a practical mother’s helper, but in reality the bizarre machine earned Dunkley immortality.
The mother, or more often the nanny, would stand astride the single wheel of the scooter having attached it to the back of the pram.
The early machines were kick started, meaning nanny had to jump on with zeal and hope for the best.
They were originally designed with one horsepower, horizontal, single-cylinder two-strokes.
Initially, there was only one gear and once kick started, the noisy machine’s hectic progress was controlled with twin handlebars bolted to the back of the pram, with a hand-controlled clutch.
Throwing caution to the wind, Dunkley introduced in 1924 the two-speed series.
Had there been such considerations as health and safety at the time, perhaps speeding along the road, baby-first in a non-crumple proof, open top vehicle, without any kind of restraint, may not have been permitted.
But thanks to the early freedoms to innovate potentially dangerous contraptions at will, people paid anything between 40 to 135 guineas for the Dunkley Model 20 Pramotor and the Saloon Pramotor with 26 x 2 in Palmer Cord motor tyres, respectively.
Via dailymail
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