# Three Wheel Cars? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 24, 2011, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-wheel-cars/590177 "2011-07-24T15:16:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2011, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-wheel-cars/590177/21 "2011-07-25T17:15:14Z")
> [@thelabdude](#): > > I think the Isettas were imported into the US. In the early 1960’s, my dad had the firdt dealership in Ohio/Indianna/Pennsylvania. he saw the where the market was heading but did not see the Volkswagon Beetle as the future. oops. ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2011, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-wheel-cars/590177/22 "2011-07-25T17:37:14Z")
I have a friend who owns a Microcar [Museum](http://microcarmuseum.com/)south of Atlanta. He has scads of 3 wheelers in there if you’re in the southeast and want to stop by. And he owns Double Bubble! Fun guy! ---
**Author:** ![Mk\_VII](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Mk\_VII](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mk_VII)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2011, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-wheel-cars/590177/23 "2011-07-25T20:50:48Z")
My neighbour had a succession of Reliants. One night it blew over in a gale, parked outside the house. The engine was based on the old 750cc Austin Seven lump from the 1930s, and Reliant engines powered 750 Formula racing cars here at one time in the '60s and '70s. As indicated above, the car tax and insurance on these was cheaper and they could be driven on a motorbike licence. Many British people did not became affluent enough to run a car until the early '70s. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2011, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-wheel-cars/590177/24 "2011-07-25T22:49:49Z")
> [@ducati](#): > > I have a friend who owns a Microcar [Museum](http://microcarmuseum.com/)south of Atlanta. Tell him I love his website. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2011, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-wheel-cars/590177/25 "2011-07-25T23:44:09Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > (Contrary to popular belief, the [BMW Isetta](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_Isetta#BMW_Isetta_.28Germany.29) is not a 3-wheel car; there are two rear wheels very close together. But I believe there was an early version of the car which had 3 wheels.) Contrary to popular belief, they made a 3 wheeled version of this for the British market which taxed cars based on the number of wheels. [Isetta history](http://www.whirlingpool.com/isetta/history/history.htm): The Isetta was initially not popular in Great Britain until a three-wheeled version was introduced. The three-wheeled version was taxed at a much lower rate than the four-wheeled version. Isetta of Great Britain continued to produce four-wheeled Isettas, but only for export to Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2011, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-wheel-cars/590177/26 "2011-07-25T23:55:23Z")
> [@ducati](#): > > I have a friend who owns a Microcar [Museum](http://microcarmuseum.com/)south of Atlanta. (about an hour later and still only partway through) [looking pale] He’s expanded his collection since my last visit a couple years ago. Lemme guess: he’s not married. [/looking pale] ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-wheel-cars/590177/27 "2011-07-26T00:05:29Z")
Magiver, check post #5. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-wheel-cars/590177/28 "2011-07-26T01:02:32Z")
Two hours later and I’m dozing off. I don’t know why they fascinate me, since I couldn’t fit into any of them. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-wheel-cars/590177/29 "2011-07-26T01:49:32Z")
> [@california\_jobcase](#): > > Magiver, check post #5. so much for skimming first. Missed it completely. Dang, the one thing I know about cars and I didn’t get to post it first. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-wheel-cars/590177/30 "2011-07-26T01:52:04Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Two hours later and I’m dozing off. I don’t know why they fascinate me, since I couldn’t fit into any of them. The Isetta opens in front. That’s why I like them. Wish I had a big garage and the money to fill it. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-wheel-cars/590177/31 "2011-07-26T02:30:59Z")
As Urkel cool the Isetta is, the [Iso Grifo](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iso_Grifo) is the man’s masterpiece. And it’s larger than a refrigerator. Bizzarrini on the mechanicals. Giugiaro on the body. And a 427 Chevy in the middle. It is automotive perfection. ---
**Author:** ![Arrendajo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-wheel-cars/590177/32 "2011-07-26T02:51:01Z")
> [@Ximenean](#): > > Slightly cooler, the [Bond Bug](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bond_Bug) (but still a Reliant under the skin). And then there was the [Messerschmitt “bubble car”](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messerschmitt_KR200). The Messerschmitt was featured in the movie Brazil. Very cool car. I have seen a few of these Zap electric cars around town: [http://www.greenpacks.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/2009-xebra-sedan.jpg](http://www.greenpacks.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/2009-xebra-sedan.jpg) And we have a locally produced 3-wheeler!!! Much much cooler than that silly Chinese Zap with the tricycle gear: [http://www.arcimoto.com/](http://www.arcimoto.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-wheel-cars/590177/33 "2011-07-26T03:03:11Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > As Urkel cool the Isetta is, the [Iso Grifo](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iso_Grifo) is the man’s masterpiece. And it’s larger than a refrigerator. Bizzarrini on the mechanicals. Giugiaro on the body. And a 427 Chevy in the middle. It is automotive perfection. It looks like a Corvette that mated with a Camaro. A Cormaro. It even sounds Italian. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-wheel-cars/590177/34 "2011-07-26T03:25:36Z")
Referring you back to its pedigree, it was gorgeous and fast. Unlike a Reliant. Even my Plymouth Reliant, an insanely generic car, but which was so up front about its mediocrity that it should’ve had “C-A-R” stenciled on its side. Loved it. The most honest car I ever owned ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-wheel-cars/590177/35 "2011-07-26T03:55:39Z")
34 posts in and no mention of the [Grinnal Scorpion](http://www.grinnallcars.com/scorpion-III-sports-car.html)? There are a couple of hundred in the US, according to Grinnal, though there’s no official import channel. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-wheel-cars/590177/36 "2011-07-26T06:00:27Z")
Jebus, I noticed I still have that window open and I’m only up to the King Midget. ---
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-wheel-cars/590177/37 "2011-07-26T11:01:57Z")
For any UK bikers, what categories do you have on your licence? Does it include A and B1? According to the [DVLA](http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/WhatCanYouDriveAndYourObligations/DG_4022547) a 3-wheeler is a class B1. My regular car licence has categories B and B1. This implies that both bikers and cagers can drive 3-wheelers but not each others regular vehicles. Is this right? ---
**Author:** ![footballisplayedwithyourfeet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9f8e36/32.png) [@footballisplayedwithyourfeet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/footballisplayedwithyourfeet)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-wheel-cars/590177/38 "2011-07-26T11:59:05Z")
The Carver is pretty fun: [Top Gear - The Carver - YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TK4wzBYmTIo) ---
**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-wheel-cars/590177/39 "2011-07-26T12:03:55Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > (Contrary to popular belief, the [BMW Isetta](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_Isetta#BMW_Isetta_.28Germany.29) is not a 3-wheel car; there are two rear wheels very close together. But I believe there was an early version of the car which had 3 wheels.) Oh, that one. I remember it from my childhood. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-wheel-cars/590177/40 "2011-07-26T13:18:46Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > Hmm. I saw a new-looking three-wheeled car on US-15 in Maryland a couple weeks ago. I don’t see any pictures here that look like it. Like you, during the last months I’ve seen in Paris several three wheeled cars (two rear wheels), but none of the pictures in this thread match. They looked recent, so probably aren’t collector’s cars (and besides, if they were, I wouldn’t have seen them only during the last year, and several times during this year). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-wheel-cars/590177.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-wheel-cars/590177.md?page=3)