3 Wheelers making come back
Discussion
The Morgan is back in the form of a 3 wheeler and if you don't believe me go and look at the Morgan site. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea but the 3 wheeler is on it's way back it is fast and will turn heads. We need to get back to what motoring is all about enjoyment instead of being closeted in our cosy machines. Call me a fool but it is true and remember you read it here. I am happy because I am building one and it has just doubled in price IF I want to sell it. So go on have a good laugh at my expense but you will see one and want it very rare very fast and very beautiful.
Here's the link:
http://www.morgan-motor.co.uk/sales/three_wheeler/...
Looks like it's still a way off reality (or production at least). Sure sounds like it would be fun though...
http://www.morgan-motor.co.uk/sales/three_wheeler/...
Looks like it's still a way off reality (or production at least). Sure sounds like it would be fun though...
Well, there have been an elite of people who really like the idea of three wheels but cannot afford an original Morgan. over the last 30 or 40 years there have been a LOT of kit cars that not only offer better performance than the original Morgan, but are also a lot cheaper. Here is a breif list of cars that have been produced, mostly in kit form....
my very own Lomax 223
Pembleton supersports
Tri-king
JZR
Blacjack Avion and Zero
Grinnall Scorpion
There are many many more too,
-MEV tR1ke
-Rayvolution
-DRK
-BRA
-T-Rex
-Berkeley T-60
Every year at kit car shows, new ones are being shown to the public, and the following is getting a little larger as new ones appear, and yet, as soon as Morgan says they might build one, everyone drops everything and all of a sudden wants one. It interests me greatly that this particular car has actually been in production for a while in the USA under the name ACE cyclecars, and yet, no-one seemed to notice. ACE produced the car in the US with the Harley motor under license from the Morgan Motor Co, all Morgan have done, is bought the rights back and are going to bung a Morgan badge on the front and sell at a higher price.
I know this may seem like a bit of a rant, and probably a poor one, but i don't honestly see what all of the hype is about. As a mass production vehicle, a 3 wheeler makes little sense as the width of the vehicle is determined by its track, and therefore the space it requires on the road remains largely the same.
my very own Lomax 223
Pembleton supersports
Tri-king
JZR
Blacjack Avion and Zero
Grinnall Scorpion
There are many many more too,
-MEV tR1ke
-Rayvolution
-DRK
-BRA
-T-Rex
-Berkeley T-60
Every year at kit car shows, new ones are being shown to the public, and the following is getting a little larger as new ones appear, and yet, as soon as Morgan says they might build one, everyone drops everything and all of a sudden wants one. It interests me greatly that this particular car has actually been in production for a while in the USA under the name ACE cyclecars, and yet, no-one seemed to notice. ACE produced the car in the US with the Harley motor under license from the Morgan Motor Co, all Morgan have done, is bought the rights back and are going to bung a Morgan badge on the front and sell at a higher price.
I know this may seem like a bit of a rant, and probably a poor one, but i don't honestly see what all of the hype is about. As a mass production vehicle, a 3 wheeler makes little sense as the width of the vehicle is determined by its track, and therefore the space it requires on the road remains largely the same.
If they are below a certain weight (i cannot remember off the top of my head) and have 3 wheels, then they have to go through an MSVA, which is similar to an SVA/IVA, but is cheaper and is not quite as stringent. They have recently redone the MSVA, which now means that all moving componants need to be covered and i also think the block itself needs to be covered unless it meets the, no sharp edges rule, where all edges need to be of a certain radius and a certain area, as per the IVA.
Some of them you can buy as 4 wheeled versions. However, this can be slightly more problematic. As they have four wheels it is more difficult to get them through the full IVA test, and it costs a lot more money for the test, and if it fails the first time, a re-test. This includes the Grinnall Scorpion 4, and the Pembleton Brooklands.
On the Lomax though, it may be possible to get it through easier, as the Lomax uses a 2CV chassis, engine, drivetrain and suspension, with no chassis modifications, you can get it classed as a car re-body, where the DVLA/VOSA will check the vehicle and give you a certificate and change the V5 to suit, the 3 wheel version does require a MSVA though as the Chassis and suspension need to be modified to convert it to a three wheel configeration.
This may sound a bit obvious, but having four wheels is the whole attraction of having three wheels. If i wanted a four wheel car i have a choice of millions, but a 3 wheeler? Thats the whole attraction. They are completely mad, and thats why i love 'em.
Some of them you can buy as 4 wheeled versions. However, this can be slightly more problematic. As they have four wheels it is more difficult to get them through the full IVA test, and it costs a lot more money for the test, and if it fails the first time, a re-test. This includes the Grinnall Scorpion 4, and the Pembleton Brooklands.
On the Lomax though, it may be possible to get it through easier, as the Lomax uses a 2CV chassis, engine, drivetrain and suspension, with no chassis modifications, you can get it classed as a car re-body, where the DVLA/VOSA will check the vehicle and give you a certificate and change the V5 to suit, the 3 wheel version does require a MSVA though as the Chassis and suspension need to be modified to convert it to a three wheel configeration.
This may sound a bit obvious, but having four wheels is the whole attraction of having three wheels. If i wanted a four wheel car i have a choice of millions, but a 3 wheeler? Thats the whole attraction. They are completely mad, and thats why i love 'em.
The Lomax, Blackjacks, BRA and Pembleton are front wheel drive, ussually through 2CV gearbox. The Blackjack though, uses a VW Beetle gearbox.
All of the others are shaft driven to the rear wheel. Which makes it interesting, especially in the JZR and the like as the Moto-Guzzi engine can put out near on 120hp, through a very skinny rear wheel.
Due to the nature of 2CV suspension, some of them love speedbumps, and you tend to aim the front wheels so they hit the sentres and the rear one misses it completely. This is because the tyre and suspension have to take more abuse than the front ones.
The mid engined ones, where a motorbike is pretty much bolted underneath the body from the yolk back would also be pretty interesting as most of the weight is taken by the rear wheel, although it is a decent fat one at least. In a front engined car the heaviest bit is directly over the wheels, so i would have though it to be a bit more stable.
To drive at normal speeds they feel the same as any other car, but to reverse is a little more tricky as the rear wheel tends to want to go back in a straight line.
As for the TV question, the T-rex was deffinately on fifth gear, but i think it was Tiff Needell that tested it.
All of the others are shaft driven to the rear wheel. Which makes it interesting, especially in the JZR and the like as the Moto-Guzzi engine can put out near on 120hp, through a very skinny rear wheel.
Due to the nature of 2CV suspension, some of them love speedbumps, and you tend to aim the front wheels so they hit the sentres and the rear one misses it completely. This is because the tyre and suspension have to take more abuse than the front ones.
The mid engined ones, where a motorbike is pretty much bolted underneath the body from the yolk back would also be pretty interesting as most of the weight is taken by the rear wheel, although it is a decent fat one at least. In a front engined car the heaviest bit is directly over the wheels, so i would have though it to be a bit more stable.
To drive at normal speeds they feel the same as any other car, but to reverse is a little more tricky as the rear wheel tends to want to go back in a straight line.
As for the TV question, the T-rex was deffinately on fifth gear, but i think it was Tiff Needell that tested it.
I remember an article in a glossy classic car mag at least 15 years ago with a Morgan racer that had evolved all its life, within the rules, I guess the VSCC ones. Anyway, running motorcyle slicks which were sticky but not the ideal profile it was as quick around a tight circuit (can't remember which one but a "proper" one) as a BTCC Sierra Cosworth. As I type this I can't believe it but I'm sure that's what it said.
dudleybloke said:
can anyone remember that modern looking 3 wheeler that was released about 10 or so years ago?
i'v got memories of vbh testing it on telly but i could be wrong.
Was it the Bradsea Bullet from South Africa GSX1200f based , mind you it must be nearer 25 years ago I first saw onei'v got memories of vbh testing it on telly but i could be wrong.
mad4amanda said:
dudleybloke said:
can anyone remember that modern looking 3 wheeler that was released about 10 or so years ago?
i'v got memories of vbh testing it on telly but i could be wrong.
Was it the Bradsea Bullet from South Africa GSX1200f based , mind you it must be nearer 25 years ago I first saw onei'v got memories of vbh testing it on telly but i could be wrong.
Mr2Mike said:
RW774 said:
Looks great but of all the V twins to use they go with a Harley?? yuk
Which car uses a Harley engine?The vincent 1000cc V twin engine now remanufactured and would have made it an all british car. All about costs I suppose.I wonder if they can be purchased as self build??
RW774 said:
Mr2Mike said:
RW774 said:
Looks great but of all the V twins to use they go with a Harley?? yuk
Which car uses a Harley engine?The vincent 1000cc V twin engine now remanufactured and would have made it an all british car. All about costs I suppose.I wonder if they can be purchased as self build??
dudleybloke said:
mad4amanda said:
dudleybloke said:
can anyone remember that modern looking 3 wheeler that was released about 10 or so years ago?
i'v got memories of vbh testing it on telly but i could be wrong.
Was it the Bradsea Bullet from South Africa GSX1200f based , mind you it must be nearer 25 years ago I first saw onei'v got memories of vbh testing it on telly but i could be wrong.
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