04-24-2015, 02:42 PM
|
#1 (permalink)
|
|
PSmodder lurker
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Chino
Posts: 1,605
Thanks: 26
Thanked 908 Times in 522 Posts
|
A test drive of Bucky Fuller's Dymaxion
Wall Street Journal reviews and test drives the work of art.
|
|
|
|
|
The Following 9 Users Say Thank You to botsapper For This Useful Post:
|
|
 Today
|
|
|
|
Other popular topics in this forum...
|
|
|
|
|
04-24-2015, 09:42 PM
|
#2 (permalink)
|
|
Batman Junior
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: 1000 Islands, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 22,515
Thanks: 4,062
Thanked 6,960 Times in 3,604 Posts
|
Nice find!
Quote:
|
The stability and control was... bad... very bad! Felt exactly like taxiing a tail-dragging plane down a country road.
|
The single rear wheel likes to "fall off" the crown of a worn down lane, setting up an oscillation as you correct. Sounds fun! |
|
|
|
|
04-24-2015, 10:14 PM
|
#3 (permalink)
|
|
EcoModding Apprentice
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Greater Milwaukee area, Wisconsin
Posts: 157
Thanks: 46
Thanked 30 Times in 23 Posts
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
04-25-2015, 03:21 AM
|
#4 (permalink)
|
|
Ultimate Fail
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Austin,Texas
Posts: 3,585
Thanks: 2,872
Thanked 1,121 Times in 679 Posts
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
04-25-2015, 12:05 PM
|
#5 (permalink)
|
|
lurker's apprentice
Join Date: May 2008
Location: the Perimeter
Posts: 942
PlainJane - '12 Toyota Tacoma Base 4WD Access Cab 90 day: 20.98 mpg (US)
Thanks: 504
Thanked 226 Times in 173 Posts
|
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.
|
It's a replica. Still cool. Very. |
|
|
|
|
04-25-2015, 01:43 PM
|
#6 (permalink)
|
|
Master EcoModder
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Radium Springs, NM
Posts: 465
Thanks: 2
Thanked 528 Times in 278 Posts
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
04-25-2015, 01:45 PM
|
#7 (permalink)
|
|
PSmodder lurker
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Chino
Posts: 1,605
Thanks: 26
Thanked 908 Times in 522 Posts
|
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 |
|
|
|
|
04-25-2015, 02:01 PM
|
#8 (permalink)
|
|
Master EcoModder
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Radium Springs, NM
Posts: 465
Thanks: 2
Thanked 528 Times in 278 Posts
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
04-29-2015, 02:48 PM
|
#9 (permalink)
|
|
PSmodder lurker
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Chino
Posts: 1,605
Thanks: 26
Thanked 908 Times in 522 Posts
|
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 08:08 PM..
|
|
|
|
|
The Following User Says Thank You to botsapper For This Useful Post:
|
|
|
04-29-2015, 08:08 PM
|
#10 (permalink)
|
|
PSmodder lurker
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Chino
Posts: 1,605
Thanks: 26
Thanked 908 Times in 522 Posts
|
|
|
|
|
|
