American Microcar Inc

[dot11y]

I have a three wheel microcar with a 49cc Minarelli moped engine. Does anyone know anything about these vehicles?

[blob]

Do have a picture?  Jim Janecek may have some answers for you www.microcar.org

[Jim Janecek]

No, I don't have any answers, sorry

I think the "vehicle" in question is located in Australia as well.

The vehicle in question is located in the US patent database, filed in 1980 and appears to basically be a tricycle with small electric motor and a simple canopy to enclose the rider.

from the Patent Abstract:

A three-wheeled vehicle is provided to operate from a source of power constituted by two batteries which constitute approximately one-third of the weight of the unloaded vehicle. The batteries are so positioned as to locate the center of gravity of the vehicle relatively low. The vehicle is provided with a superstructure which is relatively light so that the center of the gravity is not greatly affected thereby. The superstructure provides protection for the passenger or passengers who are sheltered thereby. The passengers are seated at a relatively high position relative to the ground traversed so that they obtain a feeling of security and confidence and can readily see because their relatively high position with respect to other vehicles or obstacles in the vicinity. The additional weight of the batteries is accommodated by the provision of a compound braking system consisting of mechanical and electro-magnetic braking elements.

Inventors:   Pivar; Stuart (New York, NY)
Assignee:   American Microcar, Inc. (Farmingdale, NY)
Filed:   January 11, 1980

[Inaheinkel]

Hi

It looks like an electric Arola to me.

John

[Chris Thomas]

Hi Guys

Chris Rees has a photo of this vehicle in his book Microcar Mania, and it is a TRI-PED dated 1979, weighs 160 lbs and will do 100mpg (us) and thats about it.

Chris Thomas

[chaun]

I also have a microcar, my mom bought it in 1977 and used it to go back and forth to work, you had to pedal it and then pop the clutch and roll it down a hill and pop the clutch. She has since past and i went to pick up yesterday. I took to to a mechanic and hope he can get it started. I do have the owners manual for it.  hope to hear from you

[Rusty Chrome (Malcolm Parker)]

There's another pic here

http://www.mopedarmy.com/photos/brand/58/11262/

and a bit more here

http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20073977,00.htm

[cuscus47]

A couple of years ago, I started a thread about this as a "It has been a while....ID a Microcar quiz. "  Some good comments.    Tried to link but would'nt work.  Maybe someone else can link it.   Ian.   http://www.rumcars.org/forum/index.php?topic=2368.0

[Big Al]

A couple of years ago, I started a thread about this as a "It has been a while....ID a Microcar quiz. "  Some good comments.    Tried to link but would'nt work.  Maybe someone else can link it.   Ian.   http://www.rumcars.org/forum/index.php?topic=2368.0

I was going to say I thought it had appeared once a while ago. Good spot.

[chaun]

I had a mechanic look at my microcar and I need some parts for the carbourator,  does anyone have any idea where to get parts?

[Big Al]

Know nothing of Minarelli but I have had French Fridges with them fitted. I forget which type but I think it was one of the more cyclemotor types and a coupe which would suggest the cars made in Limoges. Sounds Italian but of course the home of mopeds is Holland and the low countries.