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The Retrol A16 is a working stationary engine model in the style of the old Scandinavian farm engines: a tall 16cc gasoline engine on a cast A-frame, with an open crankcase, exposed valve gear and a brass flyball governor on top.
Everything moves in plain view. Watch the pushrods rise and fall, the rockers open and close the valves, and the governor's weighted arms swing out as the engine picks up speed.
Still in developmentThe A16 isn't available yet. We're still refining the design, and the final details and price haven't been confirmed. Click Notify Me to follow along, and we'll email you as soon as it launches.
Notify Me When It LaunchesA century ago, tall single-cylinder engines like this were the workhorses of the Scandinavian countryside. They pumped water, drove threshing machines and grain grinders, and kept windmills turning when the wind dropped. In Denmark alone, more than 250 factories built them, and many were made in the "open type," with every moving part left exposed so it could be seen, oiled and adjusted by hand.
The A16 brings that look to your desk. It isn't a replica of any one historical engine, and it runs on gasoline with spark ignition. Read the full story behind the A16.
A naturally aspirated carburetor mixes gasoline and air. A float on the crossbeam keeps the fuel level steady.
A spark plug fires the mixture, pushing the piston down. The connecting rod turns the crankshaft, and the heavy flywheel carries the engine smoothly to the next power stroke.
An adjustable camshaft drives pushrods up the sides of the engine. Rocker arms on the crossbeam open the intake and exhaust valves, and springs snap them shut.
As the engine speeds up, the flyball governor's weighted arms swing outward and cut back the air intake. When it slows, they drop and let more air in.
A plunger pump circulates coolant between the engine and the two side tanks, keeping it at its normal running temperature.
Open crankcase, exposed valve gear and a working governor on top. Nothing is hidden behind covers.
Idles down to about 200 rpm, slow enough to follow every movement, and runs up to 3,000 rpm.
More than half of the parts, including the flywheel, base, A-frame and cylinder, are cast, like the engines that inspired it.
Flick the flywheel by hand, or use the electric starter that comes in the box.
Fully assembled, tested and run in at the factory. Add fuel and start it. No carburetor or valve adjustment needed.
| Engine type | Vertical single-cylinder gasoline engine |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 16cc |
| Speed range | 200–3,000 rpm |
| Fuel | Unleaded gasoline (92 RON) mixed with oil, 50:1 |
| Lubrication | Fuel-oil mix, no separate engine oil |
| Carburetor | Naturally aspirated, float-fed |
| Ignition | Spark plug (1/4-32 thread) |
| Starting | Hand start or electric starter (included) |
| Speed governor | Flyball governor, regulates air intake |
| Valve gear | Adjustable camshaft, pushrods and rockers |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled, plunger pump, twin side tanks |
| Frame | Cast A-frame, open crankcase |
| Flywheel | Cast, curved-spoke |
| Base | Solid hardwood |
| Size (L × W × H) | About 420 × 180 × 418 mm (16.5 × 7.1 × 16.5 in) |
| Weight | About 5.4 kg (11.9 lb) |
92 RON is roughly equivalent to regular unleaded (87 AKI) in the US. As the A16 is still in development, specifications may change before launch.
Fully assembled on its hardwood base, tested and run in.
For easy starting without flicking the flywheel.
Packed in a reinforced carton with pearl foam wrapped all around, to protect it on the long journey to you.
A running display piece for your desk or shelf, a power source for your models, or a hands-on way to show how an engine works.
