small car redux

The thread on the Smart Car reminded me of this from Top Gear.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJfSS0ZXYdo

link
Clickable link

Thanks, that was funny!!

That's so wrong on many levels. Actually looks kinda fun driving that around inside a building. Not so much outside though.

Need to use different words- that is NOT a car legally, that is a 'Motorcycle' by class since it doesn't have 4 wheels. US laws have similar class break- 4 or more wheels means car or truck, 3 wheels or less is motorcycle, motorcycle with side car or motor bicycle or motor tricycle- all classed with motorcycle which can mean different safety laws, driver license requirements. Engine size may put it into subclass 'moped' or 'light motorcycle'. In UK and Europe, break is a t 50cc and 125cc- US break for many states is 50cc and 150cc for federal laws regarding minimum size engine allowed on interstate system. 3 wheeled, couple rear BMW Isetta used BMW base engine and was legal motorcycle most countries. Sometimes called 'cyclecars' like Morgan 3 wheelers, a tax dodge, license class with some economic advantages. That one was 50c and had tax and drivers license break at time of production- but was NOT a car. Think of it as a motorcycle/scooter with umbrella for some weather protection- needed in England and Seattle. In US Samlors from asia can sometimes be legal for road, 'tuck-tucks' may get moped plates. Bajaj 3 wheelers may be legal in US while the 4 wheeled version won't have required safety equipment as a car. One is even legal in California 500 pound cargo capacity with one front wheel, 175cc Kaw engine and it gets classed as a motorcycle same as old Cushman trikes used by metermaids, post office. In US car need safety bumpers, seat belts, rollover protection, small Asian cars don't have the required safety equipment so can't be sold for road use-but a 3 wheeled version can be sold with out the equipment for car as a motorcycle- Daihatsu Midget with one front wheel is legal, 4 wheels same drivetrain as Kei class in Japan is not legal in US--3 wheeler is motorcycle. Current Polaris Spyder is still a motorcycle, TriHawk and Morgan replica with S&S Harley clone engine with side by side seating are also motorcycles, no airbags, bumpers required. Picky , Picky, picky- but go to motorcycle sidecar rallies and see some of the trikes both Delta and Tadpole. Some tractors with single front wheel and a few places the couple front wheels get called 'trike' - there , tractor related. If it has a sickle bar mower on it, it may be called a motorsickle and be correct word form. Teasing Alert! RN