Three-wheelers! They’re cool, right? I’ve always thought they were cool, but I get it if a few too many spottings of guys (it’s always guys) blasting their dubious musical tastes from RGB-LED-bedazzled Polaris Slingshots have knocked three-wheelers in general down a couple or twenty pegs in car-coolness for you. I actually kinda like the Slingshot Grand Touring (the one with a roof and hilarious half-gullwing doors), but it’s far from my first choice in one-wheel-missing motoring.
I’m split between new and old for three-wheeled fun, and my top choice is sort of new and old. I speak of the Morgan Super Three as seen in the top shot, and below as a squadron storming a beach. I trust they were thoroughly hosed off with fresh water and given a good WD-40ing after that outing. Does the Super Three drive well? Who knows, all I can tell you is it’s cool as hell. Not merely punk rock, but steampunk rock.
A close second for a currently-in-production three-wheeler would be a Vanderhall. I like the fuselage look, and that’s about all I can tell you. A buddy of mine has one with Gatling guns on it. Non-functional, I assume, but no promises. Sadly, he’s about two hours away from me, but if I ever get to take a spin, I’ll let you know.
I’d also be thrilled to have any of the vintage three-wheelers that most quickly spring to mind when my thoughts wander to the subject. I don’t care how easily it rolls over (or not), a Reliant Robin has got to be an absolute hoot, no matter how it drives. I considered adding an arrow to the pic below, but I think you can spot the Robin.
How about a Bond Bug? Luke Skywalker’s landspeeder was actually one of these beneath its X-34 shell. His went for peanuts on Tatooine Marketplace, but a nice one can fetch up to $20,000, apparently.
And here’s a (sorta) Harley three-wheeler that’s way, waaay cooler than those mobility trikes HD sells today. I give you the TriHawk, complete with a deep dive from Mercedes:
Now that looks positively jaunty!
Your turn: what three-wheeler can you see yourself driving?
Reliant Regal, as by this time next year we’ll be millionaires
Not interested in any 3 wheeled cars but I do like my Piaggio MP3.
I would like to drive the commercial vehicles like Goliath’s GD 750 and Goli or Tempo’s Hanseat. While the Goliaths were considered superior due to their RWD and even set a number of speed records (!), the Hanseat had the last laugh and survived in India until February 2000.
Your caption for the Vanderhall must have been written by AI….
…because that photo sure didn’t come from Vauxhall.
But yes – ever since encountering a Vanderhall in Santa Monica late one Saturday evening while out getting fuel – I’ve wanted one.
Mike Harrell to the weirdophone, Mike Harrell to the weirdophone.
Does anyone make a three wheeler configured where the 2 front wheels drive and the REAR wheel steers? That could be an unsafe amount of fun to whip around!
I think it’s just a forklift at that point.
Check your caption on the Vanderhall. The main difference with it to it’s other modern 3 wheeled kin is the Vanderhall drives (and steers) the front wheels.
I have owned a couple of recumbent trikes of the human-powered variety, but a car? Probably a Messerschmitt Kabinenroller.
New 3-wheeler, an Aptera. Would really love for them to succeed this time around.
Vintage choice, probably a Morgan. Now to decide which one. Though there’s always a Corbin Sparrow too. Hmmmm…
As Frank Sinatra once said:
Wheels, I’ve had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course
Each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way
Also, that Vauxhall looks pretty cool.
Aside from my electric Milan SL velomobile and custom-built electric trike, or the custom 3-wheel one-seat car I helped with the design and build of for a friend, it would have to be an Aptera 2e.
Any and all of the above listed in the article. They’re all just that awesome. Also, how about a Bond Minicar, Messerschmitt KR200, or a BMW Isetta, too?
1965-67 Reliant Regal 3/25 saloon. I’d say a later 700cc model, but it would have to be pre-1968 to guarantee no emissions trouble
I drive a Columbia Expediter somewhat regularly. If It was mine, I’d swap in a Tesla motor and WHEEEEEEE!
https://www.columbiavehicles.com/our-vehicles/expediter
Morgan. Doesn’t matter which one, new or old.
It’s not really in the dream queue, but we’re just being hypothetical here 😉
I still kind of want to drive an Elio.
Most definitely the Morgan Super 3. I’ve had opportunities to drive the Super and its predecessor and while that older version with its naked v-twin banging away up front was quite enjoyable, the newer Super with its Ford four-banger is the better car.
I think you nailed it. Not just a Morgan, but that Morgan.