Phillips Classic
Mopeds
The Phillips moped was cheap at
its launch in 1955 but it was not as good a
machine as its competitors. It sold for £57
17/- 11d in 1955.
During the 1950s, several cycle makers produced
special cycles for fitting cyclemotors to; among
them were BSA (including New Hudson and Sunbeam
variants), Elswick, Mercury, Phillips, Triumph
and Sun. They would be supplied as a complete
bike, or missing the rear wheel if a Cyclemaster
was to be fitted.
Common features were:
- Strengthed frame
- Lower saddle position (more comfortable
for powered riding but less suited to pedalling)
- No rear brake on the Cyclemaster models;
rear brake on the others was often a coaster
hub
- Braced (or sprung) front fork
- Number plates
- Lighting set designed to run off the engine
- Lower than normal gearing - since pedals
were mainly used for starting and assisting
on hills
Phillips produced a range of such machines.
The variations available included lady's or
gent's frames, and drum or rim brakes on the
front wheel.
| Bike |
Image |
Description |
| 1955 Phillips Motorised Cyclemotor
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1956 Phillips Gadabout Moped |
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| 1958 Phillips Panda |
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50cc. |
| 1959 Phillips Panda Moped Mk1
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1959 Phillips Moped
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Better known as cycle manufacturer,
Philips like Raleigh, recognised
the potential of the moped as
a natural extension of their product
range. The first model was introduced
during 1954 as a clip-on power
unit and was followed in 1956
by the two speed P39 Gadabout
and in 1959 by the single speed
P40 Panda and the P50 Gadabout
Deluxe with a three speed gearbox.
Image provided by www.classic-auctions.com.
|
| 1960s Phillips Panda |
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The single-speed Panda Mark
1 & 2 utilised what probably
became the last manufacturing
installation of the 49cc German
Rex cyclemotor engine which first
appeared around 1950 in the form
of a front mounted belt driven
cycle attachment, the strong but
basic Panda frame being specifically
built to house the motor.
The Rex engine at 6:1 compression
has no bhp given but carries a
12-millimetre Bing carburettor
to the aluminium barrel with sleeve
liner in conventional fore &
aft porting layout. The crankcase
cavity unusually extends all the
way to the back of the motor to
include lubrication of the reduction
gear and its bearings by the induction
gases! This results in a reduced
scavenge pressure. Mounted on
the end of the output shaft with
the sprocket inboard, the tiny
2½" Rex dry clutch
is a particularly frail pull-operated
device and typically responsible
for the final demise of most machines.
|
| 1962 Phillips Panda 49cc Moped |
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The Panda has a 'grip-locking'
clutch lever and a carburettor set-up
that provides a very reliable and
steady tick-over. The rear brake
comprises a back pedal Perry Coaster
hub and a conventional bicycle-type
hub brake, handlebar lever operated
for the front brake.
Mark 1 version had no suspension
but the mark 2 had telescopic
front forks, larger headlamp and
deeper valanced rear mudguard
but retained the solid rear frame.
The electrical system comprised
a Miller flywheel magneto with
lighting coils.
The final Panda mark 3 was simply
an imported French Mobylette made
by Motobécane badged as
a Phillips. It had nothing in
common with the previous home-produced
models.
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