Vintage Thing No.4.2 - The supercharged two stroke Trojan engine

In my earlier musings about the blown Trojan engine, I wondered if they had any performance potential. Well an owner of one of them has been in touch to say No.

“It was the most gutless, gas-guzzling, useless piece of junk one could hope to drive, and its top speed was about 40 mph if one ignored the mechanical thrashing. One can only imagine its diff ratio!”

This was from Paul Edwards in wobbly Christchurch, New Zealand, who’d owned a pick up version of the van version you see here.

The supercharged Trojan 15 cwt van - not big down under

“My Trojan used an aluminium head on one side, and cast-iron one on the other. I used to show people that it was, in effect, a W6!” 

Paul’s was built in 1953 so probably had the enlarged 1290cc variant of this engine, which originally boasted 1186cc. That swept volume doesn’t include the pumping pistons of course.

“It's the word 'supercharged' that promises so much, “ says Paul. “Imagine if the Japanese had made a 1200cc s/charged 2 stroke (they prob’ly have).”

From my experience of their two stroke motorbikes I can only say “ring-ding-a-ding” to that.

Meanwhile, nothing could endear this device to our Kiwi friend.

“Fortunately, the police took it away, as I'd swapped a 1938 Chrysler 8 overdrive unit for it, but the person who did this deal didn't actually own the Trojan. The real owner turned up at my door with 2 cops, and removed it from my premises. Needless to say I still haven't got my o/d unit back 28 years later. Maybe I should give up on it!”

During Paul’s brief tenure, it wasn’t exactly trouble free.

“I'd repaired the aluminium head, as it was corroded, and causing o/heating, so I remember seeing the insane piston layout. It’s a very 'unbalanced' looking engine. Actually, it shook violently when idling. And drank fuel. I was lucky at 40 mph to get 20 mpg.  Even in 1982 I used to get honked at to pedal faster."

If that's what they're like, I can't imagine anyone's tried to wring more power out of them. Any power would seem a bonus.


Last word goes to Paul. "All in all, an unsatisfying experience.”