eta: super efficient 3 wheeled car (project thread)

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by paulwelkins

www.highmileagetrikes.blogspot.com
You'll also see some other interesting things on the site as well.

This is all your work? Wow. Some really interesting things on that page.

[paulwelkins]

Thanks, and I apoligize for the sloppy blog. Looking around my shop made me realize that I've made alot of weird stuff, and I'm tripping over these things! So, decided to show off some of my past projects to whoever is interested. I still have more photos of past projects that I want to scan and post, chech back later.

[Frank Lee]

What you're doing is really cool; looks like a lot of fun!

[SVOboy]

Originally Posted by paulwelkins

Thanks, and I apoligize for the sloppy blog. Looking around my shop made me realize that I've made alot of weird stuff, and I'm tripping over these things! So, decided to show off some of my past projects to whoever is interested. I still have more photos of past projects that I want to scan and post, chech back later.

Those are indeed some sweet machines! I'm jealous of your skill to create such things,

[eta]

Thanks for the feed back and interesting info! Paulwelkins, like your design, but mine has to be a 2 seater or my wife won't help me build it! And if it is big enough for two, I'm going to go with the car parts. I love your little bike camper trailer, but why not have your feet sticking out into the bubble instead of your head, don't you have nightmares of being a fish in a tank?
Coyote X, yes the Suzuki struts will stick up in front. On this first prototype I am more concerned with simplifying the building and light weight than with the aerodynamics. This will be a short trip, low speed vehicle that will not even have a body, it will look like a cross between a Lotus Super 7 and a motorcycle. It will have a wide front track for stability because that is everyones first question and biggest concern. At speeds up to about 40 mph, the biggest factor for good economy is overcoming inertia, not air drag. If I can get an engineer interested, then car #2 will have an aerodynamic "kammback" body and maybe double "A" arm front suspension to lower the hood and a narrower front track.

[paulwelkins]

Having your wife involved sounds great. I'm sure these boy toys us guys play with have put a glitch in a lot of relationships. As to why I put my head in the bicycle camper dome? to see the falling stars at night.

[metroschultz]

Originally Posted by paulwelkins

Having your wife involved sounds great. I'm sure these boy toys us guys play with have put a glitch in a lot of relationships.

Getting your wife involved is wonderful. My wife actually seems to like traipsing around in muddy boneyards lookin fer stuff.

On our second date she helped me change the clutch in my buddy's 1989Toyota Pickup. Then we played a trick on him. I had some old planetary gearsets laying around, so we threw them in the back of his truck.
When he came to get it Barb told him these parts fell out of your tranny, but, everything seems to be werkin OK.
He lost his Christianity, but I couldn't keep a straight face.
He and I still joke on that Now.

[elhigh]

Well, if you're going to use all the componentry of a Metro, why not stick with all the cabinetry too? Whip out the Sawzall and hack off everything aft of the doors, then fab up a new single-wheel rear.

Advantages: you can lengthen the overall profile to better optimize airflow.

Disadvantages: you need good welding skills.

[diesel_john]

started to make a four wheeler with back wheels right together last summer but got distracted. with everything gone but the dog house. With the front fenders and windshield gone the frontal area actually looks a lot smaller. with nothin' but pipe frame and seat it sure does accelerate well for a 1.5L D. but the back wheels come off if I really get on the brakes. I need to move the battery to the back.

[WaxyChicken]

Ok, my interest is peeked. I would like to hear more as your project goes on.

BTW, that cool tin can that Metro posted -
those look like bicycle wheels. can those hold up very well during everyday car use? just curious - i know it's not intended as a cool every day tin-can.