Saw this on the local news website:
Man Builds Small Car, Saves On Gas
Uses a diesel engine, licensed as a motorcycle, costs $89/year for insurance, can do 70 mph on the freeway.

Cool,
~Rob

 

what was the name of those European-built cars from the sixties, I think - tri-wheeled like this one, two cylinders, a single door, opening to the front of the vehicle? They were unbelievably unsafe cornering and at speeds above 30 mph.

 

I saw that piece, the guy used the running gear and dash board from a early 80's rabbit diesel.

the car you're refering to is the:
1961 Messerschmitt Service Car


Or the BMW Isetta (I think it actually had 4 wheels the rear two were close together)

 

Looks like a modern version of the Messerschmitt 3 wheeler from the late '50s and early '60s

 

BMW isetta.

The first time I saw one as a kid, a buddy of mine said it was made for handicapped folks. I believed him. I have no idea if he believed it himself, or was putting me on.

http://www.bmwworld.com/models/vintage/isetta.htm

 

The four wheeler was the BMW 600, I believe. It was a stretched Isetta!

 

It's the Irkelmobile.

 

Worked at a BMW dealer in Royal Oak Michigan in the early 60's and worked on the Isetta's. Also had one. The Isetta was the 300 series and a 2(maybe 3 if skinny people) passenger vehicle with 2 rear wheels about 6" apart. The 600 series was a 4 passenger (more like a mini station wagon 26 HP engine, still front door but longer and a twin cyl. Both engines were based on one of the BMW motorcycle engines but it was so long ago that I dont remember which ones. They also made a 700 sedan with an all aluminum body 2 normal doors and a 26 hp high performance engine to try and compete with the VW bugs that were so popular at those times. The 300's were a 13 HP single cyl (easily destroyed by over-reving as valves hit piston top) 4 speed, shifter on the left side with a 6" drive shift connected by 2 rubber donuts (real knuckle buster to change) with a double roller chain final drivewith 2 rear wheels and no frame, just mostly unibody/sheet metal construction. About 40+ MPG no matter how you drove it. Only weighed about 350 lbs and mine was frequently moved to the top of footbal stadium seating, top of porch (4 steps) and whereven someone wanted to lift it to while I was in high school. Really wasn't a bad little car for a first timer, top speed aroung 65 MPH and very cheap to drive. Had about a 200 mile range on a full tank of fuel 3.5- 4.5 gallons or so. Really can't remember much more other than it was a PITA to change pistons and bearings as everything was a press fit on the engines, Took a lot of boiling oil and freezing of parts to get things to go together with special pullers and presses to work on it.

 

Top of the football stadium

I can only imagine, where is it today?

 

Ed, you sure have a long driveway. You also have some cool vehicles.