ERA B Type

My ERA B Type Cyclekart build began in early 2025 after sitting on the fence for several years. Once started, it quickly became a lesson in making do with what was available — and proving that a Cyclekart doesn’t require a fully equipped workshop to come to life. The kart was built entirely outdoors using only basic hand tools. With no access to a shed or specialist machinery, construction took place on the back lawn and in the driveway, attracting more than a little curiosity from the neighbours along the way. The design is inspired by a 1935 ERA B Type, with proportions based on 1:24 scale drawings by model builder John Taylor. These drawings were resized to full scale using AutoCAD and then modified where necessary to suit Cyclekart dimensions and construction methods. The chassis is fabricated from 50×25×2 RHS, with a 25×25 SHS body frame, skinned in scrap plywood and 1 mm aluminium. True to the spirit of Cyclekart building, many components were made using leftover or repurposed materials. Louvres were punched using offcuts of Merbau decking and a plywood die. The fibreglass nose cone was formed from leftover materials originally used to make flares for a Range Rover 4×4, using an expanding foam buck made from surplus material from a work job. Many parts were sourced from scrap bins, favours, or swapped for six-packs of beer. This build reflects a pragmatic, resourceful approach — prioritising ingenuity, reuse, and the joy of building over perfection or expense — very much in keeping with the ethos of Cyclekarting.