"Carl's Lounge" (Off-Topic Discussion, Traditional Knife "Tales & Vignettes")

r redden said:
These bubble cars remind me of the Can-Am Spyder even though they are made to fit more in the motorcycle genre. Neither one of them are my cup of tea however I do see the Can-Am's on the road often so I guess a lot of folks do like them.


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They tried to sell it here, but there was a definite problem on the Alpine roads! They just forgot the old "roadholding" notion!:)
 
BigBiscuit said:
I see a lot of those around here as well Randy. I think their popularity is the gimmicky aspect as well as some folks think they might be a shorter learning curve for someone that always wanted a motorcycle, but terrified of the two wheels. From my perspective, that just takes away from the fun of a motorcycle and the open air experience. I've ridden motorcycles most all my life and I think I would prefer to go without than to ride one of those around on.
I've owned this one since I bought it new in 1998 but the last two years has sat practically untouched. That makes me sad. :(

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Very nice Bob.
 
Continuing the Trike car theme... The Germans made them, Heinkel, Messerschmidt, Gottlieb, BMW even The Italians have the Ape 3 wheel truck based on a Vespa & very useful, the British adored Reliant, Bond, Morgan (yes even them!) and those death trap Invalid Carriages,;) Probably the French had their versions too although the Citroen Ami is so peculiar even with 4 wheels they didn't need to bother:D:D But you know what? I've discovered that Americans had their variant too the bizarrely named Davis-Divan from the late 40s. Looks a bit like a Japanese Bullet Train actually but not as fast or safe:D:cool:

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I don't know a lot about US cars even though there's quite a keen following here, but mostly of those square bed-like things from the 60s that I don't care for :D But every country that has made cars has contributed interesting designs and things to marvel at. I like US cars from the 40s and very early 50s Buick Roadmaster, Packard Super Clipper, Studebaker . At that time there was an innovative car called Kaiser, long defunct and I think I snapped one at a local meet a year or two ago. Not quite as revolutionary as a Tucker though...

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And the British had their icon small car long before the Mini - both designed by a Greek though:thumbsup:

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I spy a White Bricklin SV-1 behind the green bullet car Will. Don't see too many of those around. If I remember correctly, they were only built for about one year from 1974-1975. Built in New Brunswick, Canada with a Ford Windsor 351 cubic inch motor, gull wing doors. They were originally intended to compete with the Chevrolet Corvette. I also kind of remember them being plagued with problems, but they have a big cult following and folks will pay big money to find one.
 
No local three-wheeler here (except recent Peugeot-powered trikes), but there were a few Isetta built by Velam under Iso-Rivolta license (like BMW btw). The Iso factory also made refrigerators, the origin of the way the front door opens?

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In my street, situated between 2 huge goods stations, were always parked some wagons towed by a FAR tractor, a Scammell licensee. Some were also used by the local fire station.

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BigBiscuit said:
r redden said:
These bubble cars remind me of the Can-Am Spyder even though they are made to fit more in the motorcycle genre. Neither one of them are my cup of tea however I do see the Can-Am's on the road often so I guess a lot of folks do like them.


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I see a lot of those around here as well Randy. I think their popularity is the gimmicky aspect as well as some folks think they might be a shorter learning curve for someone that always wanted a motorcycle, but terrified of the two wheels. From my perspective, that just takes away from the fun of a motorcycle and the open air experience. I've ridden motorcycles most all my life and I think I would prefer to go without than to ride one of those around on.
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I have a friend who came to the circumspect realization that, due to age and the exacerbated consequences of earlier injuries, he no longer felt as confident as necessary to handle his touring motorcycle-- especially with his wife riding on back.

They looked at several options, including going without entirely, but have discovered the Spyder to be an excellent and even enjoyable option for them. He really likes the way the vehicle handles, all things considered.

In fact, I've known of other riders who have come to similar conclusions, ie, given the previous choices of either giving up the open air or settling for a motortrike (the general consensus: UGH), they are grateful for the Spyder option.

In which to say, up until this discussion I've only heard of people coming to the Spyder after motorcycles, not as a compromise(?) from the beginning.

~ P.
who gets her open air in a topless Jeep. :-)
 
Well ~ P. I guess my only response to that is if they enjoy it, good on them. Obviously everyone has differing levels of enjoyment and I didn't mean to sound so negative on the personal aspect of the ride in general. I tried one out at a rally I attended a few years ago. The guy riding it was ecstatic with the whole concept of it. I didn't like it personally. The owner's biggest complaint was the Can-Am reliability factor and he lamented incessantly about that. His only wish was another company would make something in the same vein with greater reliability. When riding with him, you could obviously see his passion and excitement.
 
Couple of Sheffield-made cars, both from 1921.





The first one looks like it might have been built using Meccano! :D :thumbsup:

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BigBiscuit said:
I loved the Erector sets when I was a kid. You could make anything your imagination could come up with. Fond memories. :cool::D
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Yes, and for years we'd use the little metal strips and tiny nuts and bolts for small repairs around the house. :p
 
r8shell said:
Hah! :D In the U.S.A. they were called "erector sets"
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Great ad! :D :thumbsup:

r8shell said:
Yes, and for years we'd use the little metal strips and tiny nuts and bolts for small repairs around the house. :p
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I think I may still have one of the spanners in my tool-box! :D :thumbsup:

I was going to post this pic of a 1921 Ner-A-Car earlier, I took the pic at Kelham Island Industrial Museum in Sheffield (where some of them were made) four or so years ago.



Happened to see another one a couple of hours ago :)





Also saw this French 3-Wheeler :thumbsup:



 
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