Scammell Scarab

Obviously the most unusual feature of this tractor unit is a lack of a wheel, which as it turned out help in sales where it excelled in manoeuvrability.

Airomobile Experimental Sedan

In the 1930’s with streamlining at its height all manner of vehicles were being built. One of them was this 3 wheeler built by Lewis American Airways Inc, in 1937. Conceived by owner Paul Lewis who wanted to build a cheap car for the masses with a price tag of just $300. His idea was a 3 wheeler, why? As its chassis doesn’t twist unlike a 4 wheeler, which means less bracing and therefore makes it cheaper to build.

Turbo Sonic Dragster

When I first saw this on The Guild of Automotive Restorers website I thought it was a film prop for some B movie the truth was that this thing was real custom built to race, apparently. Built by Dick Dean and others out of the garages of George Barris as you can probably imagine it was fitted with a jet engine and is wrapped in total 60’s custom car excess and paint. The literature of the time described as -

Toyota EX-2 Concept

1969 was a good year for Toyota and its concept building department, not only did they showcase the EX-1 which lead to the design cues of the original Celica but they also showed this, the EX-2.

Chevrolet Tritation

I first saw a picture of this car on Dep-O’s facebook page a few weeks ago and just needed to know more. Well it was up for sale a few years back and was described as a one off build. And what a one off build, the base car was a 1980 Chevy Citation, but this wasn’t a simple cut the front down and remove a wheel affair.

Passion for Power, Eventcity

Now in its 3rd year, this indoor show has come a long way (2011, 2012). Now rebranded this classic car show now included for the cancelled "passion for power" event from late last year. What this meant was the usual classic car event with all the car clubs, traders and individual showers, all up on numbers from last year, now joined by some classic and modern day prestige machinery, by the likes of McLaren, Roll Royce, Lamborghini and Ferrari.

Replicar Curser

In the UK you can only drive a car when you reach 17, however you can ride a moped at 16. This was a way to build a car like vehicle in the UK that 16 year olds could drive on this moped license. The result was a 3 wheeled vehicle, with a tubular steel chassis, rack and pinion steering and a single seat. Power came from a rear mounted moped derived 49cc Suzuki CS50 engine from, ran through a 3 speed automatic gearbox that drove the rear single wheel. Top speed, like a moped, was limited to 30mph. Which when you realise how small this thing that would be fairly scary!!!! Built between 1985 and 87 approximately 100 were produced, which included a very small run of 2 seaters.

Martin Stationette

A soon as I saw this I knew it had to be in here, firstly its just so unusual, being a 3 wheeled woody, but also its has a story behind it. Designed in 1950 by James V. Martin, and built by Commonwealth Research Corperation in New York. It was James' third and last attempt to get a manufacturer to produce one of his cars. The car was very forward thinking, almost as innovative as the Mini would be 10 years later, I suppose it was such a shame it was clad in very traditional body. It has no axles, shock absorbers and due to its watercooled 4 cylinder engine hung out the back, no driveshaft running though the cabin. Therefore providing more room for driver and passenger.

CityEL

Looking like something out of a Bond film this electric car was built by numerous companies in a few countries over its history. Originally debut in 1987, when it was called the MiniEL this name stuck until 1992. In 1995 with a new German owner the name changed to CityEL. This was no stalled attempt to build an electric car as its still production today.

Berkeley T60

I recently saw one of these in the general show area at the Classic Car Show at Tatton Park, it was right at the back and no one seemed to be paying it much attention.

Although looking on the surface this front engine 3 wheeler looks probably older that it actually is. Produced by Berkeley, out of Bedfordshire, the car was debuted in 1959. So why a 3 wheeler? It was to get around the luxury tax associated with “cars”, and therefore made it an affordable option. Even under cutting the 4 wheeled cars Berkley also produced. It could also be driven on a motorbike licence, which probably also contributed to its success.

What’s a sports car?

I know I’m opening up a can of worms with this one, but here’s my take on what is a sports car. Some would quote power figures and 0-60 times, don’t get me wrong there great but for me not the most important thing. For me it’s the feeling of driving, the feedback from the car a sense of fulfilment you have when after a “spirited” drive you park up with that sly smile on your face, tap the dashboard and say “well done” maybe even out loud.

Scott Sociable

The conventional way to build a 3-wheeler is either 2 wheels at the front or the back with a centrally mounted wheel at the other end right? Well Scott’s went down a different view with 2 wheels to one side!!!! However once you understand that Scott’s were primarily a motorbike and sidecar manufacturer, not only that but ones with machine guns mounts!!!!

Cosmic Invader

Built by the iconic car builder Carl Casper, if you don’t know his name you’ll know his work such as the A Team van, the General Lee, K.I.T.T as well as the movie Batmobiles along with a host of hot rods. The Cosmic Invader was a 3 wheeled, battery powered car built in the 1970’s, well with a paint job like that it couldn’t have been built in any other decade. The car, with its 18 six volt batteries, could cruise at 50mph, although if you dropped this to 35mph you’d have a 125 mile range before a recharge was needed. Unfortunately no matter how advanced this car seemed to be, it hit the same problem still here for electric cars, the 8hour recharge!!!!