Back in 1962, the Trojan 200 3-wheeler was advertised as a "young-family car to suit the young-family pocket." Two adults and two small children could fit into it, and it had a cruising speed of 80 km/h (50 mph). The Trojan was economical, doing 128 km/h (80 mi) on 3.78 liters, or one gallon, of gas.

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Audette -

The odd-looking Audette, a French manufactured "bubble car," on display at the 1956 Paris Motor Show.

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Pedelux cyclecar -

The box-like single-seat Pedelux cyclecar was produced in England between 1928 and 1930.

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Scott Sociable -

Manufactured in England from 1921 to 1925, the Scott Sociable was exactly that—a vehicle designed as a family runaround.

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BSA three-wheeler -

BSA (Birmingham Small Arms Company) was a major industrial combine known for manufacturing military and sporting firearms, bicycles, motorcycles, cars, and buses. The first BSA three-wheeler appeared in 1929 and proved popular until 1936, when production was discontinued.

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Repton -

A 1904 four horsepower Repton three-wheeler fresh off the assembly line.

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Scammell Mechanical Horse -

Members of the Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS) in West Croydon, England, traveling aboard their three-wheeled fire engine based on the Scammell Mechanical Horse with their canine mascot in April 1941.

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Goliath GD 750 -

A German-made Goliath GD 750 box-type three-wheeler delivery van pictured in 1950 on a rural run.

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'Spirit of America' -

The 'Spirit of America' land speed record car pictured in July 1963 at Bonneville, where it set a new, two-way official speed record of 655 km/h (407 mph) to become the first ever vehicle to average over 643 km/h (400 mph).

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Basson's Star -

Introduced in 1956, the Basson's Star had a unique two-piece, molded fiberglass body mounted on a three-wheel chassis. It weighed just 181 kg (400 lb) and traveled 128 km (80 mi) on just 3.78 liters, or about one gallon, of gas.

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Mopetta -

Pictured negotiating a busy Piccadilly Circus in London in 1958 is a 50cc Mopetta, manufactured in Stuttgart, Germany. The tiny one-seater, three-wheeler had a maximum speed of 33 km/h (21 mph) and was so light it could be lifted into a parking space.

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Peel P50 -

In 1962, the British-made Peel P50 was launched. Designed as a commuter's car, it was a three-wheeler totally enclosed in fiberglass, and could reach speeds of up to 64 km/h (40 mph). The P50 ceased production in 1965, but remains the smallest production car ever built.

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Cushman three-wheeler -

Boston Police Department takes delivery of a Cushman three-wheeler for use in traffic duties in this May 1969 image.

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Fuldamobil -

Named after Fulda, the German town where it was produced between 1950 and 1969, the Fuldamobil's curvy configuration is said to have inspired the term "bubble car."

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Autoette -

Missionaries dressed as pilgrims drive to church in a Autoette in 1958. The Autoette was a three-wheeled microcar created and manufactured in California from 1948 to the 1970s.

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Piaggio taxi-scooter -

Two women seen hailing a Piaggio taxi-scooter in Milan in 1952. The original caption to this photograph describes the taxi as the first of a new fleet, which is to be operated exclusively by female drivers.

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Scootacar -

A British three-wheeled microcar produced between 1957 and 1964, the nippy single-cylinder, two-stroke Scootacar could achieve a maximum speed of 80 km/h (50 mph) and could comfortably accommodate two people.

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Petite -

In 1952, AC Cars introduced the Petite coupe. Capable of carrying two adults on a single bench seat, the Petite appealed to the thrifty consumer. Production of the diminutive runaround continued in limited numbers until 1958.

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Robin Reliant -

In early 1970s Great Britain, the Robin Reliant was one of the most popular vehicles on the road. The three-wheeled car, seen here in 1973 in a promotional photo shoot, is still regarded with affection by the British public and classic car enthusiasts.

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Bond Bug -

The Bond Bug is a small British two-seat, three-wheeled automobile that was built from 1970 to 1974. According to Auto Express, no more than 200 remain in street-legal condition.

Sources: (Daimler) (Sheldon's EMU) (Conceptcarz.com) (Auto Express)

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Cruising with three-wheeled vehicles

Vintage images of three-wheeler cars

16/09/21 | StarsInsider

LIFESTYLE Cars

Did you know that the first vehicle ever to be sold to the public only had three wheels? In fact, we have a lot to thank the much maligned three-wheeled car for. Evolved from the tricycle, the humble three-wheeler enjoyed enormous popularity throughout much of the 20th century. And the story of its early evolution is equally appealing.

Click and take a drive through the history of three-wheeled vehicles.