Automite Car? A Modern Microcar?

 Awhile ago, I came across plans for a very tiny car; actually barely a car but it was very tiny. It was similar in size to the Peel P50. Both were three wheel cars but I think the P50 is more advanced of the two with the Automite being like a Mode T and the P50 being like a more modern vehicle.

Prismz Automite.

I think it is neat that the site for the plans for the Automite is still there. One does not hear much about; at least to what I have seen on the internet. The site also has links to other things. 

I believe I acquired the plans before (not sure if I still have them). I had noticed that there is no barrier between the engine area and the passenger area. I always wondered if the driver is inhaling the exhaust from the engine since there doesn't seem to be an exhaust pipe leading out. There doesn't seem to be any turn signals or a rear light (IIRC). The design is a simple structure of wood. I don't remember how one got in or out of it but I don't think it had a door. I think it left much to be desired; design wise. 

I do like the simplicity of the design. I think it could be a fun run around vehicle is one sticks to ones driveway and not far from it on back roads where the speed limit is very slow. Since it is a three wheel design, it might be classified as a motorcycle or scooter? (depending on the rules and regulations in your area). 

They do have a more complicated design called the Xzillerator. That will be for a separate post / blog. 

Cyclops Car - Old Version And My Version?

 In the past, I have seen an odd little car called the Cyclops car. It was very small and not really practical. I think it might have originally been a joke. It was funny looking. Below is a link to an article about it. 

Concept Carz - 1957 Cyclops 2

Lane Motors Museum - Cyclops 2 1957 (replica)

Paper Modelers - Stan Mott's Cyclops 2 (design and build).

I decided to take pencil and graph paper and create what I think it could look like; a gas version and an electric version and an odd version of it. I am not a mechanic or engineer but I do like to be creative with things. I doubt it would work and I doubt I would ever get to make it but it was a lot of fun to create; at least on paper.

This is my idea as what it could look like as an electric car. With mine - at least in my mind, it would be a lot bigger (not huge bigger) than the original with room for two people (sitting like one would on the floor - assuming that is a comfortable way to sit). 

Here is the wider more inclusive view of the electric version.

Here is the gas version. While one cannot see the gas engine, it would be located in the back behind the drive / passenger. One can see the air vents for it. It would power the back wheels in a similar manner to the original. 

This is my oddly shaped pyramid Cyclops vehicle. It would - without doubt - be bigger than the first two. It would still be a little on the cramped side. It is like the first one in that it is an electric vehicle but it could be gas powered. The figures / shapes on the right were ideas for a company name that would make them. 

It would definitely fit into the micro car category. Not many cars would be smaller than this is. I guess it would be a micro mini car? I am not sure if it would be modern since I doubt anyone would want to drive it on the roads now; I guess that would depend on how big they make.

California Commuter? a Micro Car That Is No More?

 In the past, I came across vehicle called the California Commuter. It was designed and made to have an incredible amount / high MPG. It seems their site - that sold plans for it and other things - is no longer there (at least I have not found it, yet?).

As the photo shows, it was a single person vehicle that was extremely small. What it didn't show was the single cylinder engine that powered it or how it was steered.

Here is the top and side views of the CC.

Here is the inside view; top and side.

This shows how it was steered. It is unique in that there isn't a steering wheel but two levers. 

Here is the electrical system of the CC. I always wondered if this could be used in other peoples homebuilt vehicles? 

Here is what could have been but never was. The CC2. It seems they had designs for a two seater that never seem to have come to fruition. It is a shame since it looked really nice. 

It was true and funny back when this was put out. I think this would probably be more appreciated now. I wonder how many would drive such a small vehicle on todays roads with all those huge SUV's and PU's. 

Reva NGX - Modern Micro Car?

 

Here is the Reva NGX. I think of it as a modern micro car. It is an electric vehicle (IIRC). 

I think it would be better as an ICE vehicle. I think with it being an ICE vehicle, one would not have to worry about range, about how long it would take to recharge and the higher cost (IMO - it would cost less since it won't have the expense of a huge battery pack). I think it would have great MPG since it is aerodynamic, refuel faster and have a longer range. 

It does remind me of the Obvio 012 (which I don't remember if it was ever made). The 012 was supposed to be gas powered (3 cylinder engine) then battery powered. I don't remember seeing any photos of an actual 012. 

With it small size, it would make for an excellent city car. Its small size would mean it could get through traffic easier and be easier to park and find a parking space. 

As an uniquely shaped vehicle, I doubt it would be good for someone trying to blend in. It is great for someone who likes attention and want to stand out. 

A couple of articles on the Reva NGX

Reva NGX at Concept Carz.

Reva NGX at Serious Wheels.

Reva NGX at Auto Express.

I wonder how many cool cars out there that have companies showing that they are coming but never become reality. I don't know if this one was ever put into production. 

Perhaps it became reality in the country it was created but not coming to the USA. There are other cool cars that never seem to get to the USA. I think this is one of them. It would be cool to drive one. 

It is nice to dream of those dream cars. It would be nice if some of them became a reality. 

It does remind me of the Obvio 012. I don't remember seeing it put into production. It is a little longer than the NGX.

Serious Wheels - 012.

TomLeeM

2024 / 01 / 29

TomLeeM at Cafe Press.

A New King Midget Car?

 

This is a copy of a page in the Collectible Automobile magazine dated October 1994. It was part of an article on the King Midget cars. This was a design for a 'series 5' of cars. If one clicks on the image and zooms in, one can read the article that tells of this car. 

As far as I know, it was never made. It would be cool if it was. It would be a modern take on the older King Midge car designs. 

I always wondered how it would be made with existing parts from other vehicles. The original had one back wheel that was powered. It had a small air cooled engine that was located in the back of the vehicle. For more details on the King Midget cars, one can visit the King Midge Owners Club website where they have photos and information on all the models.

The below is just me 'thinking out loud' as to how a newer King Midget car could be made.

As for a transaxle, I think one that is from a rickshaw or other similar vehicle would be great. They are not a big vehicle but neither is the King Midget. I think it would improve handling since it would power both back wheels instead of just the one (which causes the little car to pull to one side). 

For the transmission, I think a CVT from a high end scooter would be great. It would have the economy of a manual transmission and the ease of an automatic. Since the newer KM would be a lightweight vehicle, I think it could work. There might be some who disagree but this is just me thinking out loud. 

Or an alternative would be the engine and transmission from a Secma Performance vehicle which small and light weight (I am not sure how it would compare to the KM but I think it is similar in size). The KM is rear engine and rear wheel drive. I believe the Secma Performance is also rear engine and rear wheel drive (I have to check again to be sure).

Perhaps one could make it an electric vehicle? One could use the rickshaw transaxle and use an electric motor attached via a CVT. One could have the batteries under the hood? It would be a lot of batteries (or have a small gas engine under the hood attached to a small generator that powers the motor? - similar to the diesel electric trains?). 

Of course all of the above is just what I think could happen. I don't have a degree in anything that would be related to the above (I have a degree in theology but none of the courses covered in designing or building a car).  If anyone tries the above, the success would be on them and how they adapt my ideas to reality (it would be neat if someone did try). 

TomLeeM

2024 / 01 / 13