Choose Your 3 Wheeler Micro Car

[ProudLib72]

Reliant Robin


Isetta Bubble Car


Messershmitt KR 200


Peel P50


Bond Bug


Just think about how rare and glorious the Peel is. Built on the Isle of Man. Smallest production car ever. You can lift it up by the rear and carry it into your office. I'm definitely going with the Peel!

[True Dough]

1. I'd take this three-wheeler over any of those choices...

[ProudLib72]

3. No, you can't have a Can Am

It has to be a classic micro mini.

I once got passed by this dude on a custom built three wheeled motorcycle. The thing was badass as hell. He'd used a big V8, so the weight to power ratio was off the charts. Going uphill at 100 mph was nothing for him!

[Squinch]

2. I like the Peel too. The trailer is adorable.

The Reliant just looks like it forgot to put on its pants this morning.

[ProudLib72]

4. The only downside I can see to the Peel is that it doesn't have a reverse gear

I guess in 1965 they figured you didn't need to do much tight maneuvering on the Isle of Man.

[Squinch]

6. It's so little, maybe you could just whiz it around in a circle.

[ProudLib72]

13. Just look at those stats!

Wheelbase 1,270 mm (50.0 in)
Length 134 cm (52.8 in)
Width 99 cm (39.0 in)
Height 100 cm (39.4 in)
Curb weight 56 kg (123 lb)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peel_P50

I would love to just try and fit in one. At 6' 2" I might have some trouble! However, I did find a picture of a "convertible" Peel.

[Squinch]

20. LOL! Mental picture!

[flotsam]

29. The term "Shriner's Parade" comes to mind... N/T

[tonekat]

32. I think to go in Reverse, you picked the rear up

You just hopped out and pulled it back where you wanted it.

I remember Clarkson driving one off of the elevator in their old BBC offices, and driving it around.

[jmowreader]

36. It's not that

They figured you could get out and drag it by hand to where you needed it...there's even a handle on the back for that.

[Docreed2003]

5. That Messerschmitt is a thing of beauty!

[ProudLib72]

9. Prepare to pay through the nose for one

1962 Messerschmitt KR 200
Sold For $93,500
Inclusive of applicable buyer's fee.
RM | Sotheby's - MONTEREY 13 - 15 AUGUST 2015

https://rmsothebys.com/mo15/monterey/lots/1962-messerschmitt-kr-200/1075963

But I agree, it is charming.

[Docreed2003]

14. Wow!

[Tikki]

7. We saw a POLARIS Slingshot on the 101 so cal freeway the other day...

I guess they are street legal.

Tikki

[ProudLib72]

10. Yes they are

I see them from time to time on the streets around here. Funny thing is, I never see them during the winter. Wonder why that is.

[Solly Mack]

8. Messerschmitt

Messerschmitt. Some came with little trailers.

[ProudLib72]

11. Ta da!

Notice the "trunk" on the back.

[Solly Mack]

12. Thank you! It's very cool.

I could have used that during my school years.

[MuseRider]

15. I am fond of the Peel too

as it reminds me of my Smart Car that was never meant to travel all my gravel roads. RIP Horton.

[TreasonousBastard]

16. I've always had a soft spot for the Isetta, and you could see a few...

here in the States.

But the Attica 2000 had that old Hudson soul, on the outside, at least.



Peel also made the Trident, which was doubtless unsafe at any speed, but looks like fun.

[democratisphere]

17. Isetta Bubble Car.

Wish they still made this vehicle.

[eppur_se_muova]

19. "In the event of a crash, the driver and passenger were to exit through the canvas sunroof."

Probably whether they planned to or not.

[ProudLib72]

21. They sort of do

Check out the Microlino based on the Isetta: https://www.micro-mobility.com/en/experience-micro/microlino

[Lars39]

18. The Lane Motor Museum in Nashville...

https://www.lanemotormuseum.org

I’ll get there one of these days.

[Brother Buzz]

22. A three wheel Morgan for me

I'd love to have a vintage one like this one from 1929




But, Boy howdy, I'd settle for one of the new ones

[ProudLib72]

23. Oh those Morgans are beautiful!

I forgot they made a three wheeler. I'm assuming the new ones are still entirely hand built? Whew!

[Brother Buzz]

24. Entirely hand built in an incredibility unassuming plant

Some time back, I watched a video of them being made.

I fell in love with them when I saw Peter Sellers driving a vintage one in the film, The Party (1968).

[sakabatou]

26. Those are awesome

[mitch96]

28. ++Fantastic three wheeled autocar... ++

They handle pretty good too.. Big V twin out front. The newer models are more reliable with the S&S engines.. A harley knockoff.. I like the ones with the MotoGuzzi engine.. Some use the Miata transmission that has a reverse gear..
Growing up my buddy down the street had a Morgan +4.. Wood chassis and a triumph TR-3 engine.. His had a cream colored body with black fenders..

[Brother Buzz]

34. The body frames were (and still are) made from wood (ash and now some engineered plywood)

All traditional Morgans had steel chassis. Today, the four wheel Morgan chassis are made from aluminum (making them wicked light!) while the three wheeler still uses a steel chassis.

[mitch96]

35. Yup, all the body above the frame rails were wood covered in metal

Front cowl and rear sections were wood. Just like the MG-TC.. Back then you could buy wood replacement parts directly from Morgan in Worcestershire, England. You had to be a bit of a wood worker b/c all parts were custom fit.. You just got the bits with the proper steam bend or length and it was your job to make it fit properly... Great fun for a 15 year old kid..
m

[shenmue]

25. Somewhere, a theme song with trumpets is playing

[sakabatou]

27. There's no way I'd use a Robin

Then again, Clarkson did admit the rolling was done to "messing" with the internals.

[BluesRunTheGame]

30. Corbin Sparrow Electric

[MicaelS]

31. The Reliant Robin? Oh, hell no.

Seen videos of that thing. It is VERY easy to turn over. No stability at all.

BTW, James Bond has sex in a Bubble Car with Patricia Fearing (the therapist at the clinic he goes to) in the novelization of Thunderball.

How he did that is best left as an exercise to the student.

[tonekat]

33. Remember The Dale?

Never went into production, but the story behind it was fascinating.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twentieth_Century_Motor_Car_Corporation

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