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The 1990s was an exciting time in the bicycle industry with new materials such as aluminum and carbon fiber presenting new design possibilities. Many “non-traditional” designs, like the Zipp 2001, began entering the market. In 1997, the Zipp 3001 was offered in the limited quantity of 100 frames. Boron strips were added to the carbon […]
In response to the 1974 oil crisis, a small group of Swedish engineers obtained government funding to develop a bicycle completely composed of fiber-reinforced composite plastics (FRP). By 1980, the Itera Development Center AB was designing, producing, and marketing injection molded plastic bicycles to a seemingly interested market. However, when the first bicycles were delivered
Itera Plastic Bicycle – 1981 Read More »
Charismatic used cars salesman Glen Gordon “Gary” Davis moved from Indiana to Southern California filled with optimism and dreams. On the streets of Los Angeles, he saw an aerospace-styled three-wheeled vehicle called the “Californian” and was struck by its uniqueness. The vehicle was owned by a wealthy engineer, Joel Thorne, and built by Frank Kurtis,
Davis Divan “Baby” – 1947 Read More »
Cyril Cannell was a talented engineer, and started Peel Engineering on the Isle of Man in the late 1940s. Cyril was fascinated with the new material called fiberglass (sometimes called glass fibre) and started a small factory making boats and motorcycle fairings out of fiberglass. In the early 1960s Cyril became interested in making cars
Peel Trident – 2013 Read More »
The “Skinny” 2CV, occasionally referred to as a 1CV, is essentially a standard 2CV that has been narrowed in size by half. While little is documented in regards to the creation of this slender version, several other skinny 2CVs exist. The craftsmanship involved in transforming this car is remarkable, with seamless integration making it nearly
Citroën 2CV “Skinny” – 1989 Read More »
Englishman Arthur Wall invented an accessory motorized propulsion wheel for bicycles in 1910. In 1914, the A.O. Smith Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, bought the US manufacturing rights to the Wall Auto Wheel. Smith made changes to original design, attached it to an inexpensive, buckboard-style, open-bodies chassis and the Smith Flyer was born. The Guinness Book
Smith Flyer Replica with Aerothrust Engine – 1915 Read More »
In 1916, the A.O. Smith Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, introduced an inexpensive buckboard-style cycle car called the Flyer. Driven by a fifth wheel, known as the Smith Motor Wheel, these were simple, open-bodied two-seaters. By 1919, the company sold the patents to engine manufacturer Briggs & Stratton, who, a few years later, sold the rights
Auto Red Bug with Aerothrust Engine – 1924 Read More »
Old Town has been making canoes and kayaks in Old Town, Maine since 1898. While the first boats were canvas over a wooden frame, the company soon expanded to all wood and, lately, even three-layer polyurethane – whatever the best material is for the end product that results in light weight, durability, and performance. Even
Old Town Yankee 16 with Aerothrust Engine – 1944 Read More »
If you saw an Urba-anything in Mechanix Illustrated magazine in the 1970s-80s, it was a surely a design by Robert Q. Riley and David L. Carey of Quincy, AZ, doing business as Quincy-Lynn Enterprises. The UrbaCar seen here was their first design for the magazine. Originally pitched to Popular Mechanics, the design was passed to