04-24-2015, 03:42 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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A test drive of Bucky Fuller's Dymaxion
Wall Street Journal reviews and test drives the work of art.
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04-24-2015, 10:42 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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Batman Junior
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Nice find!
Quote:
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The stability and control was... bad... very bad! Felt exactly like taxiing a tail-dragging plane down a country road.
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The single rear wheel likes to "fall off" the crown of a worn down lane, setting up an oscillation as you correct. Sounds fun! |
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04-24-2015, 11:14 PM
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#3 (permalink)
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EcoModding Apprentice
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So basically the biggest flaw would be to simply make it front-wheel drive and steer, correct?
I kind of want it, albeit with a modern engine and the above modification. I love the view out the front, especially with all the nice wood.
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04-25-2015, 04:21 AM
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#4 (permalink)
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Ultimate Fail
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Oh wow, thanks for posting.
With the rarity of the vehicle, I assumed by 'test drive,' this video was going to be a test drive in a parking lot.
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04-25-2015, 01:05 PM
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#5 (permalink)
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lurker's apprentice
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PlainJane - '12 Toyota Tacoma Base 4WD Access Cab 90 day: 20.98 mpg (US)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cd
Oh wow, thanks for posting.
With the rarity of the vehicle, I assumed by 'test drive,' this video was going to be a test drive in a parking lot.
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It's a replica. Still cool. Very. |
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04-25-2015, 02:43 PM
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#6 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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I think it could be done with better aero, rear wheel drive and front wheel steering. With modern materials, engine, and drive train it could yield a high mpg car capable of high speed cruising.
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04-25-2015, 02:45 PM
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#7 (permalink)
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It is a great proof of concept for the present day fans of the influential Dymaxion. It influenced in the area of vehicle aerodynamics but the design's driving dynamics was woefully horrible. The 1933 fatal accident in one of the prototypes was attributed to its bad handling and eventual abandonment of further study.
Another meticulous and faithful recreation #4 by famous architect Lord Norman Foster. https://vimeo.com/21160399 |
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04-25-2015, 03:01 PM
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#8 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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The handling is probably a function of the single rear wheel steering not the body design. This fault of the original does not invalidate the concept of a three wheel car with a aerodynamic body.
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04-29-2015, 03:48 PM
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#9 (permalink)
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B. Fuller's design criteria, wanted to fulfill and have the tightest turning radius for urban handling, unfortunately compromising high speed stability.
Foster+Partners updated a Dymaxion II autonomous version, made more stable with FWS, FWD & extending wheelbase and very Schlörwagen-like.
Last edited by botsapper; 04-29-2015 at 09:08 PM..
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04-29-2015, 09:08 PM
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#10 (permalink)
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