RUMCars Forum

General Category => Unusual Microcar Discussion => Topic started by: mharrell on January 31, 2012, 12:58:39 AM

Title: The Inevitable Lyman Electric Quad
Post by: mharrell on January 31, 2012, 12:58:39 AM
My earlier speculation concerning the "car" status of the unusual and micro Lyman Electric Quad is now more than academic.  Having passed on the first one, I of course bought the (much rougher) second one I've come across:

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7164/6792684287_22b11e008d.jpg)

That photo was taken by the seller in Texas shortly before handing it over to the movers.  It's now in Wisconsin awaiting a westbound truck to bring it to me in Washington.  Then I'll find out whether this state will acknowledge it as street-legal, and if so, in what capacity.  I think my best bet is as a moped.
Title: Re: The Inevitable Lyman Electric Quad
Post by: marcus on January 31, 2012, 08:42:36 AM
It appears to have pedals, so that would make it a MOtor-assisted PEDal quadricycle...Moped!
Title: Re: The Inevitable Lyman Electric Quad
Post by: Jonathan Poll on February 02, 2012, 06:42:38 AM
It appears to have pedals, so that would make it a MOtor-assisted PEDal quadricycle...Moped!

That thing isnt a "car", its a Go Kart!!!

I bet its faster than mine, since mine hasnt budged in a while, needs a Battery ;)
Title: Re: The Inevitable Lyman Electric Quad
Post by: marcus on February 02, 2012, 08:45:43 AM
Emo-Kart?!  (Electric Moped-Kart)  ;D

Whatever it is classified as, I would like to go down Porlock Hill in/on it!

Title: Re: The Inevitable Lyman Electric Quad
Post by: Big Al on February 02, 2012, 08:48:26 AM
Emo-Kart?!  (Electric Moped-Kart)  ;D

Whatever it is classified as, I would like to go down Porlock Hill in/on it!



It's people like you wot upsets poets thinking quietly in Devon, Marcus.
Title: Re: The Inevitable Lyman Electric Quad
Post by: marcus on February 02, 2012, 09:02:36 AM
It's electric Al, all of the fun but none of the noise, so no disturbance to the North Devon Poets, Feng Shui and Flower Arrangers Society!
Mind you, I have been driven up Porlock Hill sideways in a 4 litre BMW, traction control off, 4 wheels drifting smokily most of the way up!

I did not enjoy the experience, and nor did the driver coming down the hill.
Title: Re: The Inevitable Lyman Electric Quad
Post by: Big Al on February 02, 2012, 09:19:35 AM
Try it twice in quick succession in Schmitts because your chum 'reversed' a brakeless classic van through the wall at the bottom. The little lads did it but needed a cool off at the top the second time. Far enough away not to hear the upset owner of said wall and gate which was not as tough as the van as it turned out. Do not think he was a poet, more of an artist, judging by the interesting colours his faced turned. Reward, great Fish and Chips in Lynton, recommended.
Title: Re: The Inevitable Lyman Electric Quad
Post by: marcus on February 02, 2012, 09:36:11 AM
Ah, the Famous Trojan Van Through The Wall Incident, Miss Marple to the Crime Scene please (the PROPER Miss Marple, i.e. Margaret Rutherford!)
Title: Re: The Inevitable Lyman Electric Quad
Post by: Jonathan Poll on February 02, 2012, 10:45:52 AM
It's electric Al, all of the fun but none of the noise, so no disturbance to the North Devon Poets, Feng Shui and Flower Arrangers Society!
Mind you, I have been driven up Porlock Hill sideways in a 4 litre BMW, traction control off, 4 wheels drifting smokily most of the way up!

I did not enjoy the experience, and nor did the driver coming down the hill.

Wrong. Half the fun is the noise! (well, I guess the noise on a Moped isnt great, I hate whiney engines), but you cant drive an electric 58 Chevrolet Corvette, or AC cobra!
Title: Re: The Inevitable Lyman Electric Quad
Post by: Big Al on February 03, 2012, 12:09:55 PM
Ah, the Famous Trojan Van Through The Wall Incident, Miss Marple to the Crime Scene please (the PROPER Miss Marple, i.e. Margaret Rutherford!)

That is the one. We will never get Eccles within 5 miles of Porlock again with, or without, the wonderful Margaret Rutherford
Title: Re: The Inevitable Lyman Electric Quad
Post by: marcus on February 03, 2012, 01:55:26 PM
I "had a moment" when driving my Drum Car down the steep hill from Rochester Castle to the High Street. The road was damp, all three brakes locked the wheels dead, but I kept on sliding most of the way down, shouting and drumming furiously to try a clear a safe path through the packed Sweeps Festival crowds.

Luckily there were only a few minor fatalities.
Title: Re: The Inevitable Lyman Electric Quad
Post by: Big Al on February 04, 2012, 11:14:00 AM
Now there is a news report. Drum kit crash causes killing in Kent carnival chaos. Eyewitness said 'Man, it was really cool. Jazz and performance art on the Medway. Woww!' Spokesman for the event said the injured were due to being 'beaten not snared, so get off your high hat. It was a accident, a knock for knock, as the dead man was Saxophonist'.
Title: Re: The Inevitable Lyman Electric Quad
Post by: Bob Purton on February 04, 2012, 11:39:26 AM
Funny enough our little band auditioned a new drummer last night, he used an electronic kit which I dont like, he got the job despite struggling with our Shadows set, people take the mick but not many drummers can do it like Tony Meehan! He excelled with Eagle "Taking it easy" and Bowies version of "Sorrow". He didnt roll down any hills and crash his kit though, that would have been a bonus! :D A real drum rol!! ::)
Title: Re: The Inevitable Lyman Electric Quad
Post by: richard on February 04, 2012, 01:27:13 PM
reminds  me of our first i.c.e. a go kart home made, gilera engine i think  - great fun in the paddock but underpowered . heavy frames and wheels , but it got us started

1972/3
 
Title: Re: The Inevitable Lyman Electric Quad
Post by: marcus on February 05, 2012, 08:40:21 AM
Both Tony and Brian Bennett are fine drummers, no mick taken by me, or any serious drummer. The electronic kits around today are far better and more versatile than the hexagonal Simmons kits of the 80s (I made my own drum pads to be a bit more stylish, but used a Simmons sound module), but they still tendo to have a "processed" sound and a bit less "life" than the real thing, BUT ....at least you can turn them down for smaller gigs!
Title: Re: The Inevitable Lyman Electric Quad
Post by: Isaac on April 09, 2014, 04:29:45 AM
Hello my name is Isaac Froese I know this is an old topic but I happen to come across the exact bike you guys are discussing the laymen electric quad side-by-side I have absolutely no information on it I am trying to find out the year who makes it if there are any parts available the value on it etc. any information would be greatly appreciated thank you
Title: Re: The Inevitable Lyman Electric Quad
Post by: Isaac on April 12, 2014, 12:24:11 AM
Hi this is Isaac again I'm still trying to find out any information on the Lehman electric quad I came across one any info would be greatly appreciated :o
Title: Re: The Inevitable Lyman Electric Quad
Post by: Big Al on April 12, 2014, 08:17:20 AM
As confirmed by prior discussion, I know nothing about these. Up to someone else on this one.
Title: Re: The Inevitable Lyman Electric Quad
Post by: Rusty Chrome (Malcolm Parker) on April 12, 2014, 02:12:56 PM
Hi Issac

From the little snippets of information I could dig up, Lyman Electric Products of 15 Meadow Street, South Norwalk, Connecticut was around for a short period somewhere between 1976 and 1980 and was an offshoot of Lyman Metal Products, who were primarily boatbuilders. Initially Lyman offered electric car conversions for VW's, Ford Pinto's and Ford Escorts and also an electric bicycle and trike, the Electric Quad seems to have been the last of the line. The car was advertised as the "world's first commercially built solar powered vehicle" for only $4250 (with pedal assist). None of the examples seem to have their "photovoltic roof array" so perhaps this was their downfall.

http://www.boydness.com/freeway/EV_Literature_02.pdf (http://www.boydness.com/freeway/EV_Literature_02.pdf)
http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2009/01/06/shocking-innovation-from-the-opec-boycott-days/ (http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2009/01/06/shocking-innovation-from-the-opec-boycott-days/)
http://www.rumcars.org/forum/index.php?topic=1912.msg19580;topicseen#msg19580 (http://www.rumcars.org/forum/index.php?topic=1912.msg19580;topicseen#msg19580)

Title: Re: The Inevitable Lyman Electric Quad
Post by: Isaac on July 28, 2014, 04:30:55 AM
Hello my name is Isaac I am trying to find some information on the laymen electric quad any info would be greatly appreciated