Thanks for that Pete. As I mentioned to you, I don't really have an aim with this post - just that the quadricycle is something that I was completely obsessed with before other things took over (earning a living mostly..) - and I want to try and get it going again..
So... a few years ago, I had a ride in a pedi-cab in the centre of London, and I loved it. The perfect pace for a city - much better than a car, or walking. Few days later, I was stuck in traffic (London) and some kind of home made recumbent quadricycle pulled out in front of me, skipped past the traffic and took a short cut through a park. It had a flatbed on the back and was carrying a beer keg! It was bonkers, but it was totally unique and everyone stopped to look and smile. I then did a bit of research and found that a lot of courier companies are looking to make 'last mile' transport, pedal powered. So... I decided to design something a bit more traditional and with 4 wheels and to then launch my Classic Quadricycle company producing pickups and people carriers... then get rich, takeover the world etc...
I mocked up the first prototype and got support from Cycles Maximus (pedi-cab company) who have designed pedal and electric underpinnings for it. I also got some interest from a couple of car show organisers regarding using the quads to sell coffees/ice creams from etc. (Carfest and a kitcar show). Then, as time and money got tighter, I had to move on and so, quad#1 languishes in my workshop. It still makes me smile whenever I see it (and sit in it!), and I don't want to give up on it, but I can't just blindly plough on with it in the hope that it may succeed.
So, if anyone has any opinions, please say. I am aware that this could be an 'Emperor's New Clothes' situation, and I'm in my own little happy bubble with it. But any ideas 're uses (pedi-cab, pickup, box van..), power (pedals, electric, petrol..), and how to move forward would be really appreciated. Otherwise I'll just go back to sitting in it and making brrm, brrm noises....
