DETROIT, 11:25 PM, SUN JUL 6 | 2 POSTS IN THE LAST 24 HOURS | tips@jalopnik.com | RSS
Posts Tagged “

micro cars

”
novelties

The FabulousTiny Cars of Captain Martin

Sounding as much like a purveyor of alcohol as an automobile, Captain Martin, that's Captain James Vernon Martin to you buddy, was something of a fanatic about micro-cars and did his share of them in the early part of last century. His obsession saw the development of as many as six different tiny cars and the precursor of the Michelin Tweel. Captain Martin's story is told in this interesting four page article from Special Interest Auto and we're wondering if any of these tiny little beasties are still floating around.

[Hemmings Auto Blogs]

4:45 PM on Tue Apr 22 2008
By Ben Wojdyla
862 views, 15 comments

Latest by aduthie: @teargas: The Lane Motor Museum built that Stationette, finishing it in time for Amelia Island this year, for the "Cars You Never Knew Existed" category. I'm not sure if they started totally from scratch or not, but to see it more »

down on the street bonus edition

DOTS Geneva: A Tiny Something Or Other

We have no idea what this is, but after the Peel Trident, this is probably the smallest street legal vehicle we've ever seen. And despite our best deciphering and sleuthing efforts, it remains unidentified. F-gobble-de-gook Tech was the best we could get out of it. How can someone get into this thing and feel fine about it? We'd rather take our chances on a regular scoot, at least there you can jump away from a wreck. But hey, this is a convertible and has those fancy, new fangled canvas doors.

More »

4:45 PM on Thu Mar 6 2008
By Ben Wojdyla
1,832 views, 30 comments

Latest by n/a: I read that in France they license these vehicles as motorcycles. That seem ok to me. With the roll bar, they might be safer than a motorcycle. But, as a motorcycle, people riding would be required to wear a helmet, more »

daf

The Dutch Stole the Clutch: Jalopnik Goes DAF Crazy!

Picture it: Holland, 1959. You are a successful truck company and you want to break into the passenger car market. The vehicle needs to be inexpensive and able to carry four people and their luggage around in comfort. No worries. But what about the mechanicals? Buick Dynaflow fan Huub van Doorne proposed the following. Two cylinder air-cooled boxer engine? Check. Pressurized Lubrication System? Check. Rear-wheel drive? Check. Independent rear suspension? Check. Continuously variable transmission? Check. Each rear wheel driven by a rubber belt? What in the fuck?!? Welcome to the wonderfully whacked out world of DAF. Mind blowing mechanical coolness after the jump. More »

4:23 AM on Sat Dec 9 2006
By Jonny Lieberman
1,394 views, 13 comments

Latest by NostradamusZen: I owned one of these babies a few year ago (Bristol UK). It was a *fantastic* machine! I was sad to lose it - it would do 90mph all day long (in reverse if you so desired), the whining from more »