The A-Z of Three-wheelers: A Definitive Reference Guide: A Definitive Reference Guide Since 1769 - Hardcover

Payne, Elvis

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1908347163 ISBN 13: 9781908347169

Publisher: Nostalgia Road Publications Ltd, 2013

Synopsis

Love them or loathe them the three-wheeler, Cycle-car or even Tri-car, has had an important impact in the development of the present day motor car. From the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution to the concept cars of the future, these vehicles can hold their headlamps up with pride. They were present at the birth of motoring and possibly may be the answer to the future with the constant depletion of the Earth's energy resources.

The first self-propelled vehicle in the world was a steam powered three-wheeler developed by Frenchman Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot in 1769 with, over a century later in 1885, a Benz three-wheeler being the first recognized machine to be powered by a gasoline engine.

From pioneering machines such as John Knight's 1896 Petroleum Tricycle and Nazi scientist Count S. von Teleki's WWII Bubble Puppy to the modern sporting vehicles of Razor Cars and the iconic Morgan three-wheeler, this fascinating chronicle covers over 1,000 models from more than 450 manufacturers.

Vehicles from such varied manufacturers as Allard Clipper, Brütsch, Heinkel, Singer and Zundapp, combine with the innovative 1933 Dymaxion built streamlined three-wheeler, Daihatsu delivery trucks, the 1938 USA built Trimobile and Reliant's much-loved Robin to bring to light the story of hundreds of remarkable three-wheeled vehicles.

Organized by manufacturer including full details of all models and over 470 photographs, together with an introduction by Charles Morgan of the Morgan Motor Company, The A-Z of Three-Wheelers is a comprehensive guide to this classic mode of transport.

About this title

Product Description

Chiefly associated with the cheap and unfashionable Reliant Robin or the quirky bubble cars of the 1950s, the three-wheeler has in fact been the platform for a variety of vehicles from runabouts and microcars to small vans and sports cars. This illustrated encyclopedia reviews hundreds of examples, from Cugnot's steam car of 1769 to Morgan's currently available '3 Wheeler', and includes production models and prototypes from major manufacturers as well as the eccentric experiments of enthusiastic individuals.

Review

"A simple concept neatly done, this 304-page glossy book has the sort of production values that are usually reserved for high-end exotica. Good photography, decent design and punchy insights... if you don't covert a Spi-Tri III after reading it, you are not human."-- (02/04/2014)

"...an interesting read that's worthy of inclusion in your library."-- (10/03/2014)

Edition details

• Publisher: Nostalgia Road Publications Ltd
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1908347163
• ISBN 13: 9781908347169
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 304