The Pacemaker 59 was a 0.594 cuin. (9.73 cc) spark ignition engine which was manufactured in New York during the years 1946 and 1947. Its instigator was a gentleman named Bill Siedler, who marketed the engines under several different company names. The engine appeared in two distinct variants, one having a plain sand-cast crankcase and the other sporting a die-cast ribbed component. Both types of casting were formed in magnesium alloy.

For its time and place, the Pacemaker boasted a very advanced specification, featuring cross-flow loop scavenging; disc rear rotary valve induction; a twin ball-race crankshaft; a rear-mounted automotive timer driven by the disc valve spindle; a 10 to 1 compression ratio; and metal-to-metal assembly without gaskets. Such a blend of features would normally be taken to place it in the “racing engine” category in a 1946 context. However, in other respects the engine’s specification appears to point more towards more general-purpose use - we’re not looking at a proposed McCoy-beater here!

The Pacemaker 59 was a highly original design which was very well made and boasted a good performance. At least 2600 examples were produced and sold during the year or so that it was manufactured.

A full review and test of the Pacemaker 59 will appear on this website in due course.