Hypothetical, 3 wheel challenge

Looks like not welding isn't as much of a handicap as I thought! Ya know, modern wood glue joints are actually stronger than the wood itself... Elise frames are glued, right?

Wood is natures composite.

Wood is good

That is more or less my plan - build the frame out of steel, but the body will be wood-core-fiberglass using kayak/canoe strip-building techniques.

I remember that trike fanboy posted from a previous thread about wooden cars.

<img src="" />

I posted this on the Hotlink thread a while back but it should be posted here to possibly inspire a build. It may not be a practical grocery getter but it sure looks like fun!

<img src="" /> Side view:

That's more or less what ive been mentally designing

Every three-wheeler design has ultimately failed and I think the problem is marketing versus engineering. Engineers can have all the logical reasons in the world why three wheels are a good idea, but if potential buyers look at the cars and think "It'll fall over", that's the end of the game. It's all about perception, which will be really tough to shift - it'll take years if not decades. Heck, look at the Aptera. It looked okay, but without another wheel, it was doomed from the start. And don't get me started on their mileage claims.

I have been thinking about this and if I did one I would want it to be something I could use all year. I am picturing using a smart car front end, and the smart motor running to the rear wheel but I am not sure how yet. My biggest concern so far is how it would do in the snow.

^^^ all year in NY is very different than all year in FL (yes, I know that was stated earlier in the thread.)

kb58 wrote: Every three-wheeler design has ultimately failed...

I'm not sure about that - I see quite a few Can-Am Spyders on the road. Saw two just yesterday. They're mostly sold as an alternative to a motorcycle, though, not an alternative to a car.

I see the Tricycles Of Shame constantly up here. In B.C. riding a Can-Am means you don't have to take the low speed maneuvering section of your motorcycle test.

As for wood, remember Morgans still have a steel chassis. The body framing is wood.

Just call it "Organic Carbon Fibre".

Never forget to use your marketing speak.

Graefin10 wrote: It may not be a practical grocery getter but it sure looks like fun!

What do you mean? I'm sure there's enough room in that nose for a gallon of milk or two.

"Tricycles of Shame"... awesome. I see tons of them in the PA/NJ area as well.

FWIW, speedway now offers a bolt-together (no welding) streetrod chassis
http://www.hotrodhotline.com/speedway-motors-bolt-together-chassis-components#.UmaNsXDBOuI

For years I've wanted to build a single seater commuter car. I've designed it a thousand times in my head. I've never considered three wheels, but now I am. I like the one Graefin posted.

This car was made by a guy I know here at work. All home made, and it does clear 80mpg by quite a margin. One report that was recent (July at a meet at Mid Ohio) had it at 140mpg, but the treehugger report has it as merely 105mpg. all with a 250cc 4 stroke water cooled motor.

http://www.treehugger.com/cars/ford-fuel-economy-expert-builds-125-mpg-3-wheel-motorcycle-in-his-garage.html

JoeyM wrote: FWIW, speedway now offers a bolt-together (no welding) streetrod chassis http://www.hotrodhotline.com/speedway-motors-bolt-together-chassis-components#.UmaNsXDBOuI

Needs moar X-brace. And boxing.

In reply to alfadriver: I wish I could be comfortable commuting in something that low but I am afraid between the bad roads and bad drivers it wouldn't last long. A two gallon a day commute is tempting though.

I am way late to this thread, so I will now spew some random comments that are i my head after 6 pages of reading:

1) I feel like using a HF/HX/VX or other lean-burn motor should not be allowed as the reason they are no longer made is due to emissions reasons. Also, they are very difficult to find.

2) I don't think FWD drivetrains are that tall. Not any taller than RWD setups anyway. Plus, the important part is the back of the car, not the front of the car. The front can be quite high and still not produce much drag.

3) There is a similar competition, not limited to trikes, http://www.greengrandprix.com/ They have poorly explained classing, rules, and most importantly, fuel measurement. If you have a real competition, take note from them.

4) For the track driving portion, either increase the speed requirement, or find a track with tight enough turns that maintaining 40+ through them wont happen in order to force the cars to use accel during the test.

MadScientistMatt wrote:

JoeyM wrote: FWIW, speedway now offers a bolt-together (no welding) streetrod chassis http://www.hotrodhotline.com/speedway-motors-bolt-together-chassis-components#.UmaNsXDBOuI

Needs moar X-brace. And boxing.

I'm not disagreeing. It exists.....I didn't say it is a good idea.

ProDarwin wrote: 1) I feel like using a HF/HX/VX or other lean-burn motor should not be allowed as the reason they are no longer made is due to emissions reasons. Also, they are very difficult to find.

Well poo... so much for my 3-cylinder Polo TDI idea...

I thought I'd take time to show you some more pictures I saved of the above red car.

What the inverted spindles????? Something fishy going on here.

I would guess that was done to get the center of the wheel higher relative to the frame, thus making it lower and more formula car in appearance.

My Photobucket may not be working right (or maybe the operator isn't working right ), but I'll try to post a couple more that I liked for various reasons:

Vortex