BSA Scout Classic Cars for Sale

The BSA Scout was a two-seater car that was manufactured and sold by Daimler and BSA Cycles, the subsidiaries of the Birmingham Small Arms Company – better known as BSA. The first BSA Scout vehicle was launched in April 1935 with the last one being produced in 1939.

The History of the BSA Scout

BSA started operations as a bicycle manufacturing company before venturing into the production of open touring cars. The company produced its first motor vehicle in 1907 approximately two years before it manufactured its first motorcycle.

Marketed under the name BSA Cycles Ltd., the company’s first prototype automobile was quite famous. This led to the production of different models – totalling to about 150 cars - between 1908 and 1909. By 1910, the BSA had five models under its belt, yet it wasn’t until the launch of the 10 HP sports car in 1922 that the company became very prominent. The success of the four-wheel 10 HP culminated in the BSA Scout.

The BSA Scout had a stylish and sporty appearance. It used a four-cylinder, 9 (RAC) horsepower engine, drum brakes which were operated by rods and a single differential brake at the rear. Its gearbox and engine were compact and had a fairly large cast transmission case located on the front of the engine. The BSA Scout had an independent suspension thanks to the eight quarter-elliptic springs. The rear suspension was by a half-elliptical spring connected to a beam axle.

Other Versions of the BSA Scout

The BSA Scout sold well, and the company was encouraged to manufacture a 10 HP (1,203 cc) version. The car was known as the Series 2 and had a relocated handbrake assembly. The company later manufactured the BSA Scout Series 3 which had two variants – a four-seater open tourer that had a chassis similar to the Series 2 and a two-seater coupé.

In 1936, BSA decided to reduce its lineup to just three distinct models: a two-seater coupé, a four-seater tourer, and an open two-seater. In August 1939, the BSA Scout Series 4 was launched featuring hub brakes, a rod and a cable operated at the rear of the car and an umbrella dashboard gear change. The other versions of the BSA Scout had a redesigned gearbox.

The 1938 BSA Scout Series 4 had a more powerful 12-volt electrical system and was fitted with Bendix cable brakes. During the final year of Scout production, BSA manufactured a four-seater coupé known as BSA Scout Series 6.

On 1st August 1939, BSA launched a two-seater drophead coupé. However, war broke out in September bringing BSA car production to a halt. Approximately 14 two-seater coupés were produced.