http://www.go-t-rex.com/ 0-60 mph (97 km/h) : 4.1 sec Lateral accel (200-ft skidpad) : 1.9 g I have no clue how much they cost but they make me DROOL!
basically a in-n-out dog pawl arrangement (the ones pictured maybe more sophisticated): there is a torque tube arrangement that runs from the back of the engine to a small differental (this torque tube provides the back bone of the chassis) in which there are to sprockets run off of either side to corresponding sprockets on the rear wheel. the shift lever engages either of the sliding dogs to engage one of the two sprockets driven off of the differential for high or low gear. There is no syncho mesh and the sprockets are always constantly turning (as long as the car is moving). the dogs are just little face meshing gears. sorry got a little carried away.
You know the story, Carroll Shelby stuffed a Ford 289 into an AC and the Cobra was born, ever wonder what the AC looked like in 1912?
Stirling Moss drove a J.A.P. early in his career but got rid of it in a hurry as he thought they were just dangerous. Said it almost rolled over everytime he turned the thing! Now if the great Mr Moss tells me that, I'm staying well away from those things!
I've looked at these before. I can't remember where, but I found an equation that factored in wheel base and traction of the rear tire in order to prevent roll overs. It seems to me that the equation basically said it was possible to get the car plenty safe if you are willing to go with a long enough wheel base and front track width. Also look at the model Puegot (spelling?) did. It is the baddest three wheeler of them all.
Morgan three-wheeler. I drove one once. Toughest thing I've ever driven, with the non-synchro trans, the steering-wheel-mounted throttle and right-hand drive. Essentially no brakes at all. Owner told me it took him 2-3 years to get used to it. I can see how it'd be a blast once you do, though. dan
The Jalopy Journal
