eta: super efficient 3 wheeled car (project thread)

[oldschool]

I have been a big fan of the 3 wheeled , 2 seat configuration for a while now, although I prefer the motorcycle frame grafted to a car front end. I think this would be a great platform for a full time ev or a hybrid with a full time electric motor. The light frame weight would lend itself to a smaller motor and less battery weight.

You folks were comparing material for body panels above, what about foam board sandwiched between fiberglass? Would seem to me to be as light as it gets.

[WaxyChicken]

oldschool, that reminds me of another 3 wheel car. it was only a concept car but the pics made it look really sweet.
Peugeot's ultralight 20Cup concept

[diesel_john]

definitely looks a tad better than mine

but does it have 1500cc diesel engine

[Christopher Jordan]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG;3952
Absolutely stunning. And it's an EV (dragster) to boot, so it really [I

is[/I] efficient too.
]

Eye catching! I really have a soft spot in my heart for 3-wheelers! Many overseas are never seen in the US, but that appears to be one of many Electrothon racers in the US.

I drove a 1966 Westcoaster 3-wheel mail delivery vehicle for years. It had an 8hp 2 cylinder Onan engine. A similar one is on www.3-wheelers.com -Mine just wore out! But I retained the nickname counters*Trike*.

Today; I stick with EV motors in recumbent trikes - open or aerodynamically closed like my avatar.

countersTrike

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by WaxyChicken

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.

I thought they looked a step up from bicycle wheels. Mopeds, perhaps, or very light motorcycle rims. They appear to have hub brakes.

[Stan]

Originally Posted by Christopher Jordan

Eye catching! I really have a soft spot in my heart for 3-wheelers! Many overseas are never seen in the US, but that appears to be one of many Electrothon racers in the US.

I drove a 1966 Westcoaster 3-wheel mail delivery vehicle for years. It had an 8hp 2 cylinder Onan engine. A similar one is on www.3-wheelers.com -Mine just wore out! But I retained the nickname counters*Trike*.

Today; I stick with EV motors in recumbent trikes - open or aerodynamically closed like my avatar.

countersTrike

I don't see a "Westcoaster" entry there...can you confirm the name?

Thanks!

[diesel_john]

Originally Posted by Christopher Jordan

Eye catching! Today; I stick with EV motors in recumbent trikes - open or aerodynamically closed like my avatar.

countersTrike

I like the shape. How efficient are the closed ones? Can you send more pics?

[Christopher Jordan]

Originally Posted by Stan

I don't see a "Westcoaster" entry there...can you confirm the name?

Thanks!

Possibly 'US Mail'. I got the name from the ID Plaque in it. I do not know where it was made, so maybe the U.K. connection never heard of it! The photo they have is of the vehicle (in blue, I think) with a USPS eagle decal or painting. That blistering 45m.p.h. "mini" mini van was the same size as a Zenn EV. Sure would have been ideal nowadays!

countersTrike

[Christopher Jordan]

Originally Posted by diesel_john

I like the shape. How efficient are the closed ones? Can you send more pics?

That fiberglass/kevlar is very flexible. It was noisier, but about 3 yards of mylar-foam-mylar and 1/4" art styrafoam helped. I have a little stereo in there; and before I couldn't hear it when moving-now I can!

It is terrific in the wind. Going along [[[[shake]]]] What did I hit??? Stop and it keeps shaking...OH!

I have about 10 pics: mold/plug, fiirst sanding, gel-coat, second sanding, both sides taped together, donor trike, several in '05, '06, & '07. I will try to export a side view from '05.

countersTrike

[diesel_john]

countersTrike

so you make a mold and lay down a sandwich and what about the plug does it need to pressed. I have been looking at airfoil shapes to put around a car size vehicle but wonder because these shapes have been designed for airplanes (high speed) Is yours as narrow as possible or derived from equations. It is hard for me to believe a shape good at 300mph would be good at 60mph.