The HCE was a British four-wheeled

cyclecar A cyclecar was a type of small, lightweight and inexpensive motorized car manufactured in Europe and the United States between 1910 and the early 1920s. The purpose of cyclecars was to fill a gap in the market between the motorcycle and the c ...

manufactured in 1912 and 1913. It was originally made by H.C.E. Cars of London SW, and later by the Easycar Company at a site with test track in

Harold Wood Harold Wood is a suburban neighbourhood in East London in the London Borough of Havering. It is situated east-northeast of Charing Cross. Harold Wood was part of the ancient parish of Hornchurch, which became the Liberty of Havering. Most o ...

, then in Essex. The car used a

single cylinder A single-cylinder engine, sometimes called a thumper, is a piston engine with one cylinder. This engine is often used for motorcycles, motor scooters, motorized bicycles, go-karts, all-terrain vehicles, radio-controlled vehicles, power tools and ...

Buckingham engine with a tax rating of 6/8 hp driving by chain to a two speed

gearbox A transmission (also called a gearbox) is a mechanical device invented by Louis Renault (who founded Renault) which uses a gear set—two or more gears working together—to change the speed, direction of rotation, or torque multiplication/r ...

and then by belt to the rear wheels. A range of body styles were advertised, including four-seaters. In 1913, four-wheel brakes were fitted, which was unusual for the time.

References

Cars introduced in 1912 Cyclecars Defunct motor vehicle manufacturers of England Motor vehicle manufacturers based in London {{brass-auto-stub