Seal of approval: discovering one of the most bizarre cyclecars

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How does one begin to describe the Seal? ‘Unforgettable’, a word more commonly used for selling holidays and other marketable experiences than cars, probably sums it up best. The mere sight of such a strange contraption is enough to leave a permanent impression on the mind, to say nothing of what driving it does.

‘Once driven, never forgotten’ could be interpreted in two ways, so Seal – Sociable, Economical and Light – promoted its cyclecar-motorcycle crossbreed as offering the ‘Cleanliness and Reliability of a Car at Motor Cycle and Side Car Expenses.’ Its intended market was the motorcyclist who wanted an upgrade but wasn’t ready for a car proper.

Was that market big enough to make the Seal a success? Yes. No. Maybe. Remarkably, it was produced for at least 12 years, starting in 1912, and production may have reached 1000 units, but where did they go? Different models for different needs included a Family Model with two occasional seats for children and a Sports Model with dickey, travel in which doesn’t bear thinking about. Today, only two survive.

After being kicked into life, this recently resurrected Oily Rag Seal, in preservation since the 1950s, proves itself to be a capable performer, but the driver must be careful. The gear lever, hidden out of sight and frighteningly close to one of the cylinders, is just one of many bizarre features requiring permanent attentiveness. Scott Barrett tries it out for size in the September issue of The Automobile, available now.

Words by Zack Stiling, photographs by Mick Walsh
 

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