Microcars and lightcars in Europe

[fullthrottlehyde]

It may not be electric, but I own a Honda beat and (Qdos) if you check youtube Clarkson is very complimentary about it. Microcars are great and can be used here if they get rid of the "boring eco stigma". The beat is mid engined rear wheel drive, it revs to 8k, is brilliant to drive and does about 40 +mpg. If we can get a few designs that are small but "trendy" and fun im sure they will sell.

[fuoriserie]

http://www.automobiles-ligier.com/index.php?pg=gam...

Ligier is one of the biggest.....

[fuoriserie]

http://www.micro-car.it/risorse.htm

http://startlabspa.it/prodotti.html

[qdos]

fuoriserie said:

I know.........but If I were a manufacturer and I'm not, than I would start considering a new niche market without having that snob attitude toward certain types of vehicles, that fill a growing niche in Europe..........especially if it pays the bills and keeps you afloat in these trying times.......

But hey, what do I know.....

Not far off what I'm doing Italo I totally agree with you

[qdos]

fullthrottlehyde said:

It may not be electric, but I own a Honda beat and (Qdos) if you check youtube Clarkson is very complimentary about it. Microcars are great and can be used here if they get rid of the "boring eco stigma". The beat is mid engined rear wheel drive, it revs to 8k, is brilliant to drive and does about 40 +mpg. If we can get a few designs that are small but "trendy" and fun im sure they will sell.

Hoda beat was a lovely little car, very rare here in the UK but I do know of 2 round here. I love them

Suzuki Cappucino was not bad either. The ones that seem to have sold best here though were the Daihatsu Copen and the Nisan Figarro has become a little cult car now though that's got a regular sized engine.

Edited by qdos on Monday 15th June 12:20

[fuoriserie]

http://www.allaguida.it/foto/chatenet-ch26/

the Chatenet CH26 reminds me of something......

Edited by fuoriserie on Monday 15th June 16:17

[qdos]

LOL yes I saw that as a prototype in Paris in 2006 They make some really nice quadricycles Chatenet but they are expensive

[fuoriserie]

qdos said:

LOL yes I saw that as a prototype in Paris in 2006 They make some really nice quadricycles Chatenet but they are expensive

I agree with you.......even in Italy they're expensive, but people buy them.....

[fuoriserie]

qdos said:

fuoriserie said:

I know.........but If I were a manufacturer and I'm not, than I would start considering a new niche market without having that snob attitude toward certain types of vehicles, that fill a growing niche in Europe..........especially if it pays the bills and keeps you afloat in these trying times.......

But hey, what do I know.....

Not far off what I'm doing Italo I totally agree with you

That means that you will be ahead of the game when the economy picks up again.........but it will not be the same as the past, a new automotive industry will emerge, and the kitcar industry will be effected somewhat.....

Edited by fuoriserie on Monday 15th June 17:36

[fuoriserie]

http://www.grecav.it/it/eke.php

another microcar.....

[fuoriserie]

http://www.geminisystem.ch/01en/smileseries.php

utility vehicle.

[Compo_Simmonite]

There is always my MIcrocar RJ125 -
http://rides.webshots.com/album/147922643wWSPBH
Powered by 125cc two stroke Montesa
A little more info -
http://www.microcarfan.com/index.php?option=com_co...
I also had a rough DX125 which I broke for spares.

Paul H

[fuoriserie]

Compo_Simmonite said:

There is always my MIcrocar RJ125 -
http://rides.webshots.com/album/147922643wWSPBH
Powered by 125cc two stroke Montesa
A little more info -
http://www.microcarfan.com/index.php?option=com_co...
I also had a rough DX125 which I broke for spares.

Paul H

Hi Paul, thanks for the info and pictures.......

I'm interested on your" Motorbike gearbox cut off and varaimatic belt system to diff / reverse unit", do you have any picures of the reverse gearbox? can you post any ?

Looking forward to seeing more pictures.

Italo

[Compo_Simmonite]

fuoriserie said:

Compo_Simmonite said:

There is always my MIcrocar RJ125 -
http://rides.webshots.com/album/147922643wWSPBH
Powered by 125cc two stroke Montesa
A little more info -
http://www.microcarfan.com/index.php?option=com_co...
I also had a rough DX125 which I broke for spares.

Paul H

Hi Paul, thanks for the info and pictures.......

I'm interested on your" Motorbike gearbox cut off and varaimatic belt system to diff / reverse unit", do you have any picures of the reverse gearbox? can you post any ?

Looking forward to seeing more pictures.

Italo

The gearbox is a COMEX unit that is actually a snowmobile unit. I've got a spare so am going to look if it can be adapted for my own microcar project :-)
Modern Microcar, Aixam, Ligier use the same type fo diff / reverse gearbox. Only problem is they are very fragile so be wary if offered secondhand. Problem is two fold. (a) people select reverse whilst still forward movement albeit how small (b) circlip in gearbox fails. Either punches a gear though the casing meaning a replacment is only option as repair not then possible.
I rather like the COMET reverse gearbox intended mainly for karts -
http://www.mfgsupply.com/m/c/218390A.html?id=IYf3A...

Paul H

[fuoriserie]

Compo_Simmonite said:

fuoriserie said:

Compo_Simmonite said:

There is always my MIcrocar RJ125 -
http://rides.webshots.com/album/147922643wWSPBH
Powered by 125cc two stroke Montesa
A little more info -
http://www.microcarfan.com/index.php?option=com_co...
I also had a rough DX125 which I broke for spares.

Paul H

Hi Paul, thanks for the info and pictures.......

I'm interested on your" Motorbike gearbox cut off and varaimatic belt system to diff / reverse unit", do you have any picures of the reverse gearbox? can you post any ?

Looking forward to seeing more pictures.

Italo

The gearbox is a COMEX unit that is actually a snowmobile unit. I've got a spare so am going to look if it can be adapted for my own microcar project :-)
Modern Microcar, Aixam, Ligier use the same type fo diff / reverse gearbox. Only problem is they are very fragile so be wary if offered secondhand. Problem is two fold. (a) people select reverse whilst still forward movement albeit how small (b) circlip in gearbox fails. Either punches a gear though the casing meaning a replacment is only option as repair not then possible.
I rather like the COMET reverse gearbox intended mainly for karts -
http://www.mfgsupply.com/m/c/218390A.html?id=IYf3A...

Paul H

Thanks for this info, I will study this gearbox and maybe consider it for another project.......


Italo

Edited by fuoriserie on Tuesday 23 June 08:57

[fuoriserie]

http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/2009/top-2009-FA...

the Fam F City is a very interesting little microcar concept......basic and minimal....a lowcost microcar concept ?

[qdos]

bit like the Venturi Eclectic which is more interesting in my opinion

[fuoriserie]

qdos said:

bit like the Venturi Eclectic which is more interesting in my opinion

true........but the Venturi still looks like a concept than reality, but would like to see a production model .

Edited by fuoriserie on Wednesday 24th June 08:57

[fuoriserie]

American, but an interesting vehicle .......inspired by the design of the JEEP TREO....


http://www.autobloggreen.com/tag/TomberlinNev/

[qdos]

Looks pretty good. Best effort I've seen in a long time to make a golf kart look funky