“The first VAP cyclemotor was produced in 1942. Designed by Pierre Verots, it was a 53cc motor that mounted alongside the rear wheel of a bicycle and was built by La Bougie BG. The name VAP stands for Verots-Androit propulseur (Pierre Androit was the head of La Bougie BG). La Bougie BG became ABGfollowing a merger with Ariès. ABG was in the Paris region – occupied France – not an ideal situation for making large numbers of cyclemotor engines. Therefore, it was not until the end of World War 2 that the VAP was put into production. Although production figures are not known, at least 2,500 of the original VAP motors were made as surviving engines fit in the engine number range of 1001 to 3500.
The ‘Décret du 5 Juin, 1943′ seems to be the cause of the confusion. Passed by the Vichy government, this decree defined three legal categories of motor cycle: motocyclette, which was over 125cc; vélomoteur, between 50cc and 125cc; and bicyclette à moteur de secours (later called cyclomoteur), under 50cc. The VAP was bigger than 50cc, but this doesn’t mean the change to a smaller capacity took place in 1943; passing a decree and putting it into force aren’t the same thing.”
Because it was first built during World War 2, there is considerable confusion over the early models of VAP engine. As you can see in the above description by cyclemotor historian Andrew Pattle, the first model was 53cc and engine numbers from 1001 to 3500. However, mine is engine number 1925, definitely from the first production run, but the engine plate clearly states that it is 50cc. I assume that, after the 1943 decree, the company started to reduce the capacity in 1944, which would make mine the second pattern of VAP 1 engine.
I’ve subsequently seen a tandem with a similar engine, numbered 2629, so I assume this to be the model of VAP 1 that was in use until the VAP2 and VAP3 were introduced.
1944 VAP 1 moteur auxiliaire
50cc
engine number # 1925
This historic engine is as you see it, in good conduction with all the essential parts present, and missing the attachments and petrol tank.
POURQUOI PEDALER…
The magneto is a Wageor et L. Couffinhal AA1.
These illustrations show the later VAP engine, but the early model mounted to a bicycle in the same way. I’ve never got round to mounting my engine on a bicycle. My French friend Patrick gave it to me in 2006. I’ve been working constantly on other rare beasts since then, so it has remained in a box in my garage.
COMPARISON: 1944 VAP1 50cc v 1947 VAP3 48cc
Here, you can compare it with my 48cc VAP 3 engine from 1947. The earlier VAP is on top in the pictures. The position of the magneto and the different carbs are the most obvious differences between the two.
TO SEE THE
VAP3 ENGINE
PLEASE CLICK HERE
Andrew Pattle’s article – http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~pattle/nacc/arc0645.htm
