Vintage Thing No.106 - Magma

Magma's engine was unique

Magma is actually one of the series of Tarkus trikes built by Jake Challenger and comes between the original DKW and Citroen powered one that inspired Kermit and the BMW 3 cylinder radial engined device to be sold at auction by Bonhams at Stafford on 29th April.

Stainless Citroen GS wheel trims match the stainless Brooklands can

I saw Magma at the Stafford Microcar Rallyin 1994 when that was for sale. I had a quick word with the owner and have subsequently realised this was the only (but first) time I've actually met Jake Challenger although we've since corresponded quite a bit over the years.

I was mightily intrigued by Magma and only found out later that it was really one of Jake's Tarkus series. If you look carefully you can just make out the tank for the dry sump system

That spectacular engine is a one-off consisting of the barrels and heads from two Weslake 500 speedway engines on a special one-off crankcase. The barrels and heads were supplied by Coventry Competition Motorcycles, who specialised in speedway bikes and parts, and the crankcase was cast in Wolverhampton and Gordon Griffiths ( a leading light in the Vincent Owners Club) did the machining and assembly.

Suspension is courtesy of the Citroen GS that also donated its subframe. This provided five forward speeds and inboard disc brakes. Jake didn't use the Citroen suspension system but used Mini rubber springs inserted between the top suspension arm and the subframe. I remember him telling me that you can tune the Mini trumpets by drilling them to soften the ride and this was the machine that really demonstrated the effectiveness of the Citroen/Mini suspension (Citrini?) using another Mini rubber spring on the back.

At the time I was a member of the Citroen Specials Club but this vehicle seemed to have grown up in universe in a parallel existence form this enthusiastic little club and no-one seemed to know anything about it at the time.

In my brief chat with him at Stafford, Jake said that you really needed a lathe to keep Magma going. He sold it in the end and subsequently heard that the new owner swapped it for a Harley!

I know what I'd rather have....

I'd be interested to know what ultimately happened to Magma. As related on VT No. 100, the original Tarkus doesn't survive although parts of it were incorporated in the Lomax Super Vee, before that also metamorphosed into the Low Super Vee.

And of course Kermit and his little brother Luigi were inspired by the first Tarkus, too, so it's like one of those rock family trees.

Maybe it's time to see the latest Tarkus go under the hammer at Stafford.

Maybe even time to bid for a unique piece of rolling sculpture - go on, you know want to!