Osborn Engineering Company Whitwood Monocar

One of the last single-track vehicles was produced by Osborn Engineering of Portsmouth, England founded by Frederick Osborn who began building bicycles, then turned to motorcycles in 1901, becoming a well-known manufacturer.

The only Whitwood model with folding legs and a round steering wheel, it was available with single and twin cylinder engines ranging in displacement from 250 cc to one liter, a rear luggage compartment and four body styles. It was built from 1934 to 1936, but it appears only six examples were built.

The Whitwood had two seats with behind them a small luggage compartment. Initially, the engine was mounted under the front seat, but in 1935, a Mk II Whitwood was produced with the engine in the rear and improved steering. It had a plywood body and a removable hood with side-screens.