Will 3 wheeled car ever be SEXY?

[botsapper]

Who said three-wheelers are not cool...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkL4XoB-QvQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCvP_ydQjAc

Peugeot 20Cup concept car - promotional video | Ultimate Street Videos, Car Reviews, Car News

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrMkf4sdhmc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75I20gE2L5I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvQDvGqjfLc

[stilettoman]

I have built a three wheeler of my own design, and my primary motivation, as opposed to assembling a kit, was that I did not like the apparent crashworthiness of existing designs. I went for a classic kind of look, with skinny tires and wheels - it is a cruiser, not a race car. The engine is a fuel injected Kawasaki 1300 six cylinder, 130 HP, dating from 1983. My challenge was to achieve a reasonably pleasing design with no compound curves, as I am not smart enough to use an English wheel! Any comments on the aesthetics?

Being newly registered, I am not allowed to attach an image. Makes it hard to share ideas, doesn't it? If you go to youtube and search for The Stiletto Project you can see a video.

My current project is installing a turbo and multiport injection on a 1996 Geo Metro three cylinder. If anyone on this forum has done this, I could use some good advice.

[Frank Lee]

Nice job!

How many miles has it accrued? Mpgs? etc.

[stilettoman]

The Stiletto now has about 2500 miles. The complexity of the electrics on the Kawasaki Voyager donor bike was mind boggling. We threw away a pneumatic adjustable suspension, very elaborate stereo, trip computer, even a remote compass! The odometer resets itself every two or three times I drive it, so I really don't know how far or what the fuel mileage is. I am estimating about 35-38 mpg, but with 100 bhp/litre, designed in 1983, the cams and other parts are not going to give really high fuel mileage. Some guys with the bike claim about 42-45 highway mileage, and I should be able to match that. I plan to install a wideband O2 sensor and adjustable fuel regulator, and try lowering the fuel pressure a bit. Nothing on the existing injection is adjustable.

The overall driveability is excellent, and the pushrod front suspension gives a very good compromise of handling and smooth ride. It has a rising rate, and uses Suzuki sport bike coilovers front and rear. Weight is 1100 pounds with full fuel (7.5 gallons)

[Frank Lee]

That's pretty cool- I like it. I've always been fond of the old Morgan trikes and replicas thereof.

[Arragonis]

The new Morgan looks good, but uses the engine it does for looks rather than any real technical benefit.



Otherwise cars like this have killed the idea, in the UK anyway.

[Quasimoto]

Originally Posted by Ryland

Try driving a Corbin Sparrow.
Most cars get their appeal because people have some preconceived notion of what it would be like to be the driver of that car, so really all it would take is enough people driving them, realizing what they are like to drive and talking about them to get the image to change.

I'm sorry, but that looks like it came from a kids cartoon. A shoe that turned into a car! LOL

[Rokeby]

Lots of info on the Mog 3-wheeler here:
MorganWest Morgan Cars - 2011 Morgan Three Wheeler

Base price ~$40K
2011 Morgan Three-Wheeler - Top Speed

There is also a US made version built in Seattle under license
from Morgan. Price: $48K and up!
Ace Cycle Car

The "cycle car" has a long and venerable history in the UK as a way
to get on the road without incurring high taxes. The situation appears
to continue today with what are now called "tricycles" enjoying a
relatively modest annual tax as compared to 4 wheelers.
Vehicle taxes for cars, motorcycles, etc. : Directgov - Motoring

FWIW, I will admit to a deep seated, irrational affection for the
antediluvian Mog 3-wheeler and its derivatives. Maybe it has to do
with the engine being featured so prominently. Sure, it's anti-FE, but
it makes fiddling with the engine -- an essential part of motoring
back in the day -- a simple matter.

[FXSTi]

Stiletto,
That is one sharp home built.

Three wheelers will always be motorcycles when it comes to winter driving. It's just too hard to drive in snow and slush with that extra track where no other wheels have been.

Kirk

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by stilettoman

Any comments on the aesthetics?

I'm not blown way by the frontal look, but the sides and rear are OK.

Excellent DIY work