What is a Microcar

[Jon Hunt]

Hi all,
        If a Bond Bug  ( nearly all 850cc now )  is a Microcar, why is an early mini not a Microcar?

[marcus]

There is no exact legal definition of a Micro car, it varies between individuals, organisations and countries. RUM has its own guidelines to define what is a micro car, and in fact Bond Bugs, Reliants and Minis are not really classed as micros, even though they are often welcomed at Micro events. Engine size, number of seats, number of wheels etc can all be used as guidelines, and in the case of RUM it is particularly focussed on vehicles for which there is no owner's club.

[Bob Purton]

Good answer Marcus. Both mini's and Bond Bugs have there own owners club but according to Rum rules un-uprated Bugs are microcars Mini's have never been so.

[marcus]

There are all the other vague categories to consider too: Cabin Scooters, Cabin Mopeds, Cycle Cars, Light Cars, Disabled Cars and Mobility Aids, unusual one-offs and home-made vehicles, cargo carriers and light agricultural vehicles, and many of these might also be classed as Micro Cars

Having seen Morgan 3 wheel sports cars and Bond Bugs at RUM Open Days, as well as that large and lovely 1930s Voisin Touring Car I am glad that RUM allows a certain amount of "interlopers" in, as long as the core focus remains on distinctive small vehicles!

[Jonathan Poll]

There are all the other vague categories to consider too: Cabin Scooters, Cabin Mopeds, Cycle Cars, Light Cars, Disabled Cars and Mobility Aids, unusual one-offs and home-made vehicles, cargo carriers and light agricultural vehicles, and many of these might also be classed as Micro Cars

Having seen Morgan 3 wheel sports cars and Bond Bugs at RUM Open Days, as well as that large and lovely 1930s Voisin Touring Car I am glad that RUM allows a certain amount of "interlopers" in, as long as the core focus remains on distinctive small vehicles!

I dont get it though... Dies that mean that my Go Kart is a microcar? Its a 1 cylinder, 4 stroke 400cc enfine, 9hp, 4 wheeler.

Not all micros are road legal!

[marcus]

I reckon a Go Kart fits all RUM's definitions of a micro car, but is not normally accepted as a Micro Car, because it is not designed for normal road use; mind you some of the really small and minimal micros are arguably no more road worthy! To me a micro car has to be theoretically capable of doing the most basic thing expected of a "car", and that is togo 1/2 a mile to the shops and collect a day's shopping. I could do that on my Drum Car and in fact have driven it around some towns, and called in at shops supermarkets and pubs on the way, and there is room for 2 weeks shopping on it! It is registered with RUM, but more on the basis of being "Unusual" rather than a proper "Micro Car".

It all does show how difficult it is to define, and that's all part of the fun!

[Bob Purton]

Marcus, I recon you could drive your drum carriage straight into a supermarket and use it as a trolly, no one would bat an eyelid unless you started playing the drums of course!

[marcus]

In Chippenham I drove into Woolworths with 20 singing and dancing Fezheads, played to staff and customers for 10 minutes, then bought a load of sweets and left. Priceless!

[Big Al]

That was before Chippenham went bust. Or was it Woolworth? Fantastic!

[Jonathan Poll]

I reckon a Go Kart fits all RUM's definitions of a micro car, but is not normally accepted as a Micro Car, because it is not designed for normal road use; mind you some of the really small and minimal micros are arguably no more road worthy! To me a micro car has to be theoretically capable of doing the most basic thing expected of a "car", and that is togo 1/2 a mile to the shops and collect a day's shopping. I could do that on my Drum Car and in fact have driven it around some towns, and called in at shops supermarkets and pubs on the way, and there is room for 2 weeks shopping on it! It is registered with RUM, but more on the basis of being "Unusual" rather than a proper "Micro Car".

It all does show how difficult it is to define, and that's all part of the fun!

Well, if I'm making it myself, surely I can say Im making it to go to the shops (even if its for muddingh around in the fiueld )

[Bob Purton]

Pick & Mix?   Our local Woolies turned into a 99p shop and is brilliant, much better that Woolies ever was!

[marcus]

If you are making it yourself, then it will be unique, and therefore "Unusual" so you might be able to register it with RUM!

Our local Woolies is now a Tesco local. we already have 3 huge Tescos and at least one Tesco local within a mile of us

[Rob Dobie]

What's the rest of the high street like? Full of empty shops, estate agents and charity shops like most of them are now.  

[marcus]

Actually our local shopping area, Southwark Park Road is mostly full of REAL shops! One is a Turkish shop with fantastic in-store bakery and lots of nice stuff.

[Jonathan Poll]

Actually our local shopping area, Southwark Park Road is mostly full of REAL shops! One is a Turkish shop with fantastic in-store bakery and lots of nice stuff.

Name me a shop in England that is not Turkish...