Trimuter
was introduced on the cover of Mechanix Illustrated
Magazine and went on to become the magazine's all-time favorite DIY
project. Within months, Trimuter car clubs began to pop up, a few
states changed motor vehicle code to accommodate the three-wheel design.
Prefab bodies and chassis soon became available from independent
manufacturers. When Mechanix Illustrated changed
their logo to become Home Mechanix, Trimuter retained its
position as the most popular project in the 75-year history of the
magazine.
Trimuter differs from its forerunners by having three wheels instead of four -
one front and two rear. This distinctive layout leads to the car's striking and efficient
wedge shape. It also means that Trimuter is a motorcycle and not a car in the eyes of the
federal government. This saves on license fees and makes vehicle inspections less
stringent. Other benefits include a chassis that is lighter, more simplified, and slightly
more efficient than an equivalent four-wheel chassis. In addition, Trimuter can be built
as either a conventional gasoline powered car or a battery-electric vehicle. The body and
chassis are designed to accept either power system, and plans provide complete details for
both. The ICE version, powered by a 16-hp, two-cylinder industrial engine, delivers 50
miles to a gallon of regular gasoline - about the same as a large motorcycle. The electric
version uses ten 6-volt batteries and runs 60 miles on a charge. Either version can top 60
mph. Cost to build the car will be more for the electric version, which is due mainly to
the cost of batteries. Figure about $4,500 or so to build the electric version and about $3,500 for the gasoline version.
Trimuter was featured on the cover of Mechanix Illustrated magazine, and
it was used as a background vehicle in the movie Total Recall. The body is
built of the same FRP/urethane foam composite used to build the other vehicles in the
series. For more information on the body construction method, click on One-Off Construction Using FRP/Urethane Foam Composite.
Specifications |
Length: 146 inch
Width: 67 inch
Height: 45 inch
Wheelbase: 88 inch
Tread: 54-1/2 inch
Brakes: Drum
Ground Clearance: 6 inch
Turning Circle: 25 feet
Front Suspension: Leading arm
with anti-dive geometry
Rear Suspension: Independent semi- trailing arm
Body Construction:
Fiberglass over urethane foam |
Seating: Two, side-by-side
Curb Weight (ICE):* 850 lbs
Curb Weight (EV):** 1400-1550 lbs
Fuel Capacity: 17 gallons
Batteries: 8 or 10 each, 6-volt lead-acid
Range (ICE):* 850 miles
Range (EV):** 60 miles (60-volt system)
Engine: 16 hp Briggs & Stratton
Motor: Baldor #7544
Maximum Speed (ICE):* 63 mph
Maximum Speed (EV):** 60 mph (60-volt system)
Build Time: 400-600 hours |
* ICE: Internal combustion engine
** EV: Electric vehicle
Gas or
