building a 100 MPG Microcar

[jory squibb]

you might be interested in my website moonbeamplans.com It gives you lots of details on how to build a high-mileage very small car if you have the time and inclination.

[kickflipjr]

Sweet! Looks like a smaller version of an autorickshaw.

[onegammyleg]

100mpg isnt too hard with a purpose built vehicle , and this one shows that its doent have to be entirely impractical to use either.
My favorite of all the microcars is the HMV Freeway and ime debating about making a revised version myself with much more modern mechanicals.(either that or a small speedboat).

The HMV Freeway made production in limited amounts in the early 80's , but it was plagued with setbacks rite fromt the start.

Its story .. http://clubs.hemmings.com/clubsites/hmvfreeway/1975.htm

The car ...


Available in 1 or 2 seater in-line formats it was powered by nothing much more than a 15hp lawnmower quality engine , I think similar to what my Bobcat tractor has.
It had a simple tube frame , fiberglass body , and the rest is how you see it.

[onegammyleg]

Hi theclencher

Yeah , and they dont cost a lot either , 2 grand will get a good one , probably the cheapest microcar you can get because it isnt vintage.

You should get one if you can ,, a neat toy to play with.

I would buy one immediately if I could.

[Matt Timion]

Originally Posted by theclencher

I think it would be easy to build a superior vehicle from scratch.

I think that "easy" is a relative term. It might be "easy" to conceptualize the vehicle, or to make a checklist of everything it needs, but actually building it will be anything but easy.

[onegammyleg]

Originally Posted by theclencher

I think it would be easy to build a superior vehicle from scratch.

For me YES , but the advantage of getting a microcar already one is that it has had or does have registration.

[Ryland]

check with your local DMV for what qualifies as a "hobeist" vehicle, in wisconsin it's a vehicle that is over 20 years old that has been modified past it's manufactured spesifications, been checked by local law enforcment for safty reasons, they then give you a license plate for it that costs 2.5 times the normal amount but never expires, and is perfectly leagle to operate on any public roads, it's title is relabled to note that it's a hobiest vehicle, and I belive it retains the base vehicles VIN.

[onegammyleg]

Unfortunately I have only lived in countries where the authorities frown on modified or custom made vehicles.

I wish I was pro-active , a revolutionary , an anarchist forcing change to the opressive regimes we all must live under.- but in reality , Ime a pussy.

[repete86]

Originally Posted by onegammyleg

I wish I was pro-active , a revolutionary , an anarchist forcing change to the opressive regimes we all must live under.- but in reality , Ime a pussy.

It isn't that glamorous. In fact, it really sucks getting teargassed at a peaceful protest. I haven't been to any violent ones (yet), but I imagine that it gets even more painful then. I remember being at the G8 in Georgia in (I think) 2004 and there being pigs everywhere in riot gear ready to kick the **** out of anyone they didn't like even though there were only a few dozen people at the protest. We wouldn't have stood a chance it we tried to stick it to the non-elected authority figures. One person was maced for no reason and dragged off (I guess as an example).

[onegammyleg]

Originally Posted by repete86

It isn't that glamorous. -One person was maced for no reason and dragged off (I guess as an example).

You should move to the¨land of the free¨where you can excersize your constitution rite of free speach - ..Oh - Your already there ,,Too bad.

[The Toecutter]

**** a 100 mpg microcar. We need 100 mpg sports cars! Google "Opel Eco Speedster" and/or look at the cars built by the Vehicle Research institute at Western Washington University.

100 mpg sports cars that can hit 160 mph are perfectly feasible through clean aerodynamics!

It isn't that glamorous. In fact, it really sucks getting teargassed at a peaceful protest. I haven't been to any violent ones (yet), but I imagine that it gets even more painful then. I remember being at the G8 in Georgia in (I think) 2004 and there being pigs everywhere in riot gear ready to kick the **** out of anyone they didn't like even though there were only a few dozen people at the protest. We wouldn't have stood a chance it we tried to stick it to the non-elected authority figures. One person was maced for no reason and dragged off (I guess as an example).

I stopped attending protests after I resolved that the next cop to point a gun at my head for me legally excersising my constitutional rights will be shot.

[88HF]

I want a microcar/keicar.

[McPatrick]

Then get yours here

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Other-Makes-HMV-Freeway-HMV-Freeway-Best-One-Available_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6472QQihZ013Q QitemZ230145179073QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[88HF]

I think I'd be better off building a kitcar or modifying a normal production vehicle. Really it seems like I like collecting vehicles, but I need to get into a for profit instead of for bankrupt. It'd be nice to get one cheap though.

[DaX]

That looks very much like the Freeway I saw at the microcar meet!