Moonbeam, as the owner builder calls it, is a 100 mpg 3 wheeler built from 2 Honda Elite scooters, some steel tubing, plastic, time and desire. Jory Squibb is a 65 year old handyman from Camden, Maine who got tired of filling up his Toyota station wagon and thought he might be able to build something a little more fuel efficient.
When Jory began his build he didn't know how to weld so he bought a Hobart MIG welder and learned how. Then he started studying some of the websites devoted to microcars and three wheelers, chose his donor vehicles, worked out a design and started building.
Top speed is an uncomfortable 52 mph, it prefers to go a bit slower and seems to work best as an around town scoot. He gets 85 mpg in the city and about 105 mpg on economy runs. His website has a lot of information about the project and explanations of why he made various choices along the way with design and materials. Everything added together came out to about $2500.
This is a great example of someone who decides to do something, learns the skills necessary and goes to work. There's nothing in this project that most anyone familiar with tools could not do. The price is extremely reasonable and many of you probably have some of the necessary parts already on hand to make it even more affordable. I like projects like this a lot. While this particular vehicle may not be your personal choice, it makes it seem a lot more feasible to build whatever you like. Very cool.
Kickboxer Subaru WRX Powered Motorcycle Concept
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Wow, and I thought The kneeslider was pretty up to date… I’ve had his website bookmarked for over a year…
Interesting concept, great idea, and wonderful execution! Not everyone wants BIGGER AND FASTER…
Trey
this would make a cool electric vehical project .
oops, vehicle
Pretty cool but I can’t see using economical reasons to spend $2,500 to save money on gas.
I’d like to build something like this -a little taller for visibility- but I would do it for fun, the challenge, and to be pointed at driving it down the street.
-todd
A space helmet on wheels . Cool .
I LOVE IT, GOOD JOB MR. SQUIBB
I love the sliding canopy.
todd,
I agree with your sentiment, unless the guy actually sold his Toyota for alot more than $2500, and that this is his only “cage”. I certainly hope the guy has a 2-wheeler around, even another uncut Elite.
(I’m feeling smug about bikes today, I just picked up a nice ‘01 Duc)
I hope it makes the same sound as the jet cars in the Jetsons because that’s what it looks like to me. But more power to him for thinking it and then actually doing it!
My project car (converting a 914 to electric) remains a figment of my imagination.
it’s great to see american ingenuity at work….beating the odd to by learning to weld and taking the time to study is a “two-thumbs up” for me….keep us updated.
Congrats on your duc, matt! i love mine.
But i dont think it would take an extremely long time to see a return on your investment with this project. say 3.00 average gas cost… 20 mile commute thats… 100 miles a week. 3.00 dollars. Where as 100 miles a week regularly wold cost around 15. 12 dollars a week times 52 weeks… thats 624 dollars a year. Compare that to a prius…. costing close to 30k and getting less gas mileage. Plus you have to buy a beret and only eat vegan foods.
Who wants that?
And thats only with commuting to work. Granted not everyone can benefit from a non highway vehicle, but… its cool in my opinion.
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