Velocars and other interesting vehicles.

[Intrepid Wheelwoman]

A very simple differential design suitable for velocars/cyclecars.

 

[BarelyAWake]

Agreed, they're amazing examples of elegant simplicity;

 

[Intrepid Wheelwoman]

Oooooooo an early GN chassis

In my opinion with modern cars being so oversized, silly and expensive there is a place for the cyclecar again.

 

[Intrepid Wheelwoman]

Note the wooden chassis.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UWECfP2gPw

 

[placidscene]

When I was a teenager my neighbor had one of these in his garage. It was the one shown in the 7th photo down, with the BMW engine in it.
I sooo badly wanted one!
http://www.autocycles.org/2001.html
Whatever happened to the Owosso Motorcar Company?

I pass one of these every day on Mopac in Austin. It is rotting in the sun in front of an insurance company building! It has been sitting there for as long as I can remember. I am 30 and I remember riding to work with my dad when I was probably 12 and seeing it there.
I have though about trying to find out who owns it, but if it is still there, but as long as it has been there, it is probably a mess!

 

[placidscene]

I havent had a chance to catch up on this whole thread, but I found this the other day.
It is supposed to come out in 2014. You can reserve yours today! lol.
http://www.eliomotors.com/
only $6,800? sounds pretty good

 

[wheelbender6]

If Elio can keep the price at $6,800, I think they will sell a lot of them. Most human powered velomobiles cost more than that.

 

[placidscene]

I know. They are boasting standard A/C, power windows, locks, power stearing, ect. I don't think they will make their $6,800 goal personally.
If they do, I would be very temped to buy one as an everyday driver, and use my Crown Vic police car as a family/fun car. (I love my police crown vic!)

Financing for 6,800 over 3 years= about $200 a month.
over 7 years, which is what we had to finance our van at= $80 per month! lol

Easily I would save my car payment in gas each month, even at the 3 year rate!
Plus, I bet it would be a blast to drive around!

 

[placidscene]

I love the idea of building my own, and I have a million ideas, but I don't have the time.
I will have to probably be happy with my motorized bicycle as my project for quite a while. At least till the kids get older, and I can say that working on a project with them is "quality time". right now they are too young to appreciate it.

 

[GearNut]

I hope that Elio can do it.
I remember when Corbin introduced the Sparrow. Sadly it was very high priced, didn't sell well and was discontinued. Corbin Motors went bankrupt.
Myers Motors supposedly now makes them, but I have not heard anything new about them in years now.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corbin_Sparrow
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myers_Motors

 

[Intrepid Wheelwoman]

Le Carabe. It's French of course

 

[curtisfox]

Now that a cute little buggy. Looks so small though,i think should be just a tad bigger so some ideit won't run you over......LOL......Curt

 

[silverbear]

I imagine that the fin deal on the rear deck helps to stabilize it at high speeds like say 25 mph. The rear fenders remind of of little wings folded in, so the whole thing has a fledgling bird look to it. I'd call it a "Robin" or something like that. It is cute.
SB

 

[placidscene]

I don't think i'd fit! You would have to fold me in half backwards! lol

 

[placidscene]

I sent a guy a message yesterday trying to buy a recumbent tadpole trike to build mine on.
I offered him way to little money, but his ad has been on craigslist forever and he keeps reducing the price.
I told him I'd give him some cash and a little more room in his garage. lol

 

[Ludwig II]

Another pic of one I found earlier.

http://t-s-k-b.tumblr.com/post/45329644259

 

[silverbear]

Another pic of one I found earlier.

http://t-s-k-b.tumblr.com/post/45329644259

That's interesting. I wonder if it would be considered a two wheeler or a four wheeler. If there was a way to retract the wheels like a landing gear on an airplane that would be cool and it would be a two wheeler.
SB

 

[Intrepid Wheelwoman]

Another pic of one I found earlier.

http://t-s-k-b.tumblr.com/post/45329644259

Brilliant! - thanks Ludwig
I knew there had to be more photos of that monocar somewhere,

 

[fasteddy]

Here is the rear end from a Worksman rickshaw.

Steve.

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee500/johnpatricksmith/PA090376.jpg

 

[Intrepid Wheelwoman]

Very nice setup, thanks for posting that Steve.