I've heard of car companies bringing back old classics in a modernized tribute model, but this is kind of crazy. The latest 2011 model from British car maker Morgan is really just their 1953 Threewheeler, brought back to life almost unchanged.
Morgan has always survived in this odd little niche between the past and the present, and even their "regular' models like the Aero are a strange mix of old and new, but this move is pretty unusual.
What's hard to figure out is how they were able to make a 1953 model meet modern safety requirements, but looking at cars like the Ariel Atom, makes you realize that there must be ways around all kinds of regulations.
The car itself is easy to understand. Take a simple V twin engine from a Harley-Davidson, and stuff it into a tiny flyweight car to get eye-popping performance. Even though the engine only cranks out around 100 horsepower to the single rear wheel, the car weighs a mere 1100-lbs, so it can really move. 0-60-mph takes around 4.5-seconds, and then the car continues pulling up to a top speed of 130-mph. That sounds like it will be scary enough, given those skinny old school tires, and the complete lack of basic safety equipment.
My favorite item on the "features" list? "bomb release type start button".
The Morgan Threewheeler will be available next year. Price and the possibility of US sales were not announced.
Morgan, via Born Rich
Morgan has always survived in this odd little niche between the past and the present, and even their "regular' models like the Aero are a strange mix of old and new, but this move is pretty unusual.
What's hard to figure out is how they were able to make a 1953 model meet modern safety requirements, but looking at cars like the Ariel Atom, makes you realize that there must be ways around all kinds of regulations.
The car itself is easy to understand. Take a simple V twin engine from a Harley-Davidson, and stuff it into a tiny flyweight car to get eye-popping performance. Even though the engine only cranks out around 100 horsepower to the single rear wheel, the car weighs a mere 1100-lbs, so it can really move. 0-60-mph takes around 4.5-seconds, and then the car continues pulling up to a top speed of 130-mph. That sounds like it will be scary enough, given those skinny old school tires, and the complete lack of basic safety equipment.
My favorite item on the "features" list? "bomb release type start button".
The Morgan Threewheeler will be available next year. Price and the possibility of US sales were not announced.
Morgan, via Born Rich
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