Westbury "Centaur" open crank engine

A particarly well made example of Edgar Westbury's "Centaur", a design for a 60cc water-cooled open crank engine dating from 1957, serialised in "Model Enginer" magazine at that time.

The work of a highly skilled engineer - we have his part-finished engine to the same design as well, along with the beginnings of a very fine Shand Mason fire engine, another Westbury design.

The engine is set up to run on gas, complete with hose to connect to a standard disposable tin of butane and starting handle which mounts in a cordless drill. It's mounted on a wooden base containing the coil and battery, with a vintage-style knife switch alongside for the ignition.

We couldn't resist having a play with this one when it came in. It starts very easily - crack the gas open, adjust using the throttle screw, give it a couple of turns with a battery drill and it's away!