The Trojan was an ingenious utility car designed by Leslie Hounsfield. It was powered by a l 1/2 litre horizontal two-stroke twin-cylinder engine, while transmission was by two-speed epicyclic gearbox and double chains to a solid rear axle. A punt-type chassis was used, and long cantilever springs were fitted. Solid tyres were another unusual feature for the day. Although originally built by Leyland, the manufacture was taken over by Trojan Ltd. in 1928. An outcome of this change of manufacture resulted in the new RE model, which retained the same clever engine and transmission layout, but mounted at the rear of the car. Production was reduced to a trickle in the 1930s, though commercial versions of the design continued to sell well. The Mastra was announced for the 1936 season, with a 2.2 litre six-cylinder two-stroke engine: it did not go into production. Passenger cars did not feature again until 1962, when the company manufactured the Heinkel "bubble car" under licence, after production had ceased in Germany. ©VEA
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