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?
Aptera. I want it so much I really really wish they will survive and make more than 100 of them. Then there’s a chance I will see one here in Finland… Would 100% hoon in the snow!
I’m praying they sell them in the Netherlands. I’ll invest for sure.
Yes ! I hope someone at The Autopian will be able to test one and tell us what they think.
None. They are all tremendously stupid. Literally the worst of both worlds.
Thank you.
A Morgan 3-Wheeler is a bucket list car for me.
I’ve also spent many hours trying to find a Reliant Robin in my budget to import.
For the oddness, one of the Morgan style 3 wheelers powered by a Citroën 2CV. I’d also be interested in an early Isetta.
I’d also go for a Krauser Domani if I could find one. These were GP style sidecars built around a BMW K100.
Any tilting trike would be fun. The only commercially produced one I can think of was the Carver:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carver_(automotive_company)
So, I had a Vanderhall (Carmel for anyone who knows what they’ve been selling) for a couple years, right when the pandemic started. Sold it mostly because there was no one in 200 miles that would know how to do work on it and it was starting to need some.
It was pretty awesome… some of the time. It was missing a couple things that would have made it awesome all the time. Mainly a better gearbox and either a manual or actually responsive paddles (it had paddles but they were mere suggestions that the engine software ignored more often than not).
But it made all the right noises and in the right road was basically a go-kart worth of fun. Wondering how their electrics will ride…
I’ve had and/or driven a few three-wheeled microcars. Messerschmitts are a hoot. My Fuldamobil is formatted like a 3-wheeler but has two wheels in back set close together. Bond Minicars are a pretty unique experience. As are Reliants. My favorite is an obscure Spanish car called the David. Like with a Bond, the whole engine turns with the front wheels. Really, 4 wheels is a completely unnecessary indulgence.
I’ve had sidecars on three different bikes, I’ve ridden Urals and Rikers. I would love a Morgan. Seats, a steering wheel? Now you’re talkin’ luxury!
The Ural I have in my garage. A motorcycle with sidecar has at least a little bit of street cred.
Dale.
Campagna T-Rex. They’re just so cool!
I actually just saw one last week!
Slingshot
An Aptera for a usable commuter box. Picking up range by it sitting outside is nice.
Yep, if it ever comes out. Put a deposit on one years ago.
I did too. Just checked my account and it still says to expect delivery in 2026. Hmm, doubtful but still a fascinating vehicle.
The Can-Am Ryker is way more fun than it has any business being. It honestly felt like combining the best attributes of a dirt bike, jetski, and a go cart. Would I ever own one? No. Would I recommend all of my friends with excessive disposable income to buy one for tearing around town, yes.
I would say the best aspect of a jet ski is it’s ability to travel on water. Does the Cant-am spider travel on water?
3 wheeled car awesome, 3 wheeled motorcycle a tricycle. Nothing but a Morgan will do. However if anyone comes up with a drifting 3 wheeled car I would be open to testing it.
I’d try a Sinclair C5 for grins.
For regular use, some kind of tube-framed recumbent reverse trike with the powertrain from a wrecked Zero. Maybe even set it up as a leaning trike.
A classic Citroen DS, but only once to show it can be done.
Four-wheeled vehicle with three-wheel tarmac contact … *checks notes* … That would be technically correct.
Congratulations sir! You may collect your prize by the Charles de Gaulle hologram.
I’d drive any of them, but to own would be the Morgan, a Grinnall Scorpion, and maybe the Aptera, but even if they do eventually build it, I’m not so sure with the horrible interior.
Three wheelers are almost always an answer to skirt regulations or be a cheep ass way to market. Morgan is probably the only manufacturer to lean in and say, no, no we can do something special with this, so they get my vote. However, I have never driven one. I should add that to by to-do list.
New production Peel P50.
Long range Aptera with AWD.
Craig Breedlove’s first Spirit of American was a three wheeler.
600mph
He accidentally set the land speed record for motorcycles because he hadn’t read the rule book carefully enough.
Does a beat to shit Altima on a doughnut spare count?
Only at freeway speeds, so yes.
The only ones I see like that are beyond freeway speeds
Any reverse trike I would consider. Traditional trike just too unstable. Modern top of money is no object probably aptera just not at their prices.
Chinese have a enclosed reverse trike that’s like the elio meets first gen Tesla model 3 called a telufu gt5. It looks fun.
https://www.telufu.com/d/file/content/2025/11/691680ac35237.jpg
There is also this little cheap reverse trike car that looks neat.
https://www.yisen-auto.com/pic/other/2023-05-31/1%20(1)-8959562.jpg
A food trike also looks it could be a good time but don’t think I would drive it
https://www.yisen-auto.com/pic/other/2023-11-06/2-9304808.jpg
I’ve always liked morgan three wheelers and some of the reverse trike bubble cars but I don’t think I would drive them often.
The Messerschmitt KR-200 that Sam Lowry drives in Brazil. But only if I’m wearing a suit and hat.
Absolutely none of them.
Lipstick on an abomination, all of them.
I’d adopt one out of pity, like a three-legged mammal. But that’s about it.