Seriously cool vehicle. A unique piece of US automotive history. This all factory HMV (High Mileage Vehicle) Freeway was made in Minnesota in 1981 as part of an enterprise to prove 100mpg was possible and practical. Unfortunately insufficient startup funding combined with falling gas prices bankrupted the operation after making around 700. These are legal in all 50 States, ost are licensed as auto-cycles, ype 2 motorcycles or some type of cyle but are considered cars in a few places. In Wisconsin they are type 2 cycles which means no cycle permit nor helmet is required but yet they cost less than a car to license and insure. Best of both worlds. Here are the facts. I'm 6'3 and 230lbs and fit fine. 12hp commercial low rpm high torque motor coupled to a chain drive through a CVT (snowmobile type) transmission. There is no shifting. Its simply gas and brake. No reverse was installed on these as they are easy to roll back by hand. This factory commercial Tecumseh engine is quite healthy, o smoke, as slight drip leak. (Many have ultimately replaced their worn engines with standard lawn tractor engines with success.) Obviously with 12hp they are not race cars but it does keep up with traffic ok, specially in town. On the highway I have taken these up to 60mph but this one seems to be topping out around 52mph. Honestly they are a bit twitchy at high speeds and I prefer to keep it around 45. The factory promised 100mpg if kept around 40mph and I can confirm that is true. It has a shoulder/lap belt and the fiberglass body on steel tube frame is pretty sturdy making them far safer than an open motorcycle, lus three wheels are much more stable. You have to try to tip it over, have had the rear wheel in a slide and never felt tippy. I personally hit a deer doing 40 with my other one, t hit on the heavy steel bumper, olled over the cab and didn't do any damage. I was impressed. It starts with a key, and choke. Has directionals. Horn is disconnected. Has working heater and defroster that consists of a clever oil cooler relocated to the cab and a blower motor. Has a radio but really the cab is too noisy to enjoy it while driving. Wiper works, ew lexan windshield and side wings. New aluminum gas tank. Clear coat has a few blemishes but looks decent. Carpet is replaced. Frame is rust free. Hydraulic brakes on all wheels work. Emergency brake works but they were poor to begin with. Tires are older but OK. I have the factory front rims and they are included. Spare drive belt. Now to be clear it is a single seat vehicle and the bare-essential design is not for everyone but what else gets the mileage in a closed cab that hauls groceries with ease??? All in all a great example of a neat vehicle. Priced to sell. Delivery is buyers responsibility, ast one I shipped home I was able to get the same rate as a golf cart as it is pretty light.
Or.......You have a street legal VIN as a base for a higher horsepower custom 3 wheeler!!! Your imagination is the limit.
CLASSIC HMV FREEWAY 100MPG HIWAY LEGAL 3 WHEELER MOTORCYCLE CAR Like ELIO
For sale: 1981 Other Makes
Technical specifications
- Condition:
- Used
- Item location:
- Amherst, Wisconsin, United States
- Make:
- Other Makes
- Year:
- 1981
- Mileage:
- 14,000
- VIN:
- 00000000000000000
- Color:
- Orange
- Engine size:
- 12hp
- Number of cylinders:
- 1
- Fuel:
- Gasoline
- Transmission:
- Automatic
- Drive type:
- RWD
- Interior color:
- Gray
- Options:
- Sunroof
- Vehicle Title:
- Clear
- Contact the seller / ! Report
Description
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