Love them or loathe them the three-wheeler, Cycle-car or even Tri-car, has had an important impact in the development of the present day motor car. From the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution to the concept cars of the future, these vehicles can hold their headlamps up with pride. They were present at the birth of motoring and possibly may be the answer to the future with the constant depletion of the Earth's energy resources.
The first self-propelled vehicle in the world was a steam powered three-wheeler developed by Frenchman Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot in 1769 with, over a century later in 1885, a Benz three-wheeler being the first recognized machine to be powered by a gasoline engine.
From pioneering machines such as John Knight's 1896 Petroleum Tricycle and Nazi scientist Count S. von Teleki's WWII Bubble Puppy to the modern sporting vehicles of Razor Cars and the iconic Morgan three-wheeler, this fascinating chronicle covers over 1,000 models from more than 450 manufacturers.
Vehicles from such varied manufacturers as Allard Clipper, Brütsch, Heinkel, Singer and Zundapp, combine with the innovative 1933 Dymaxion built streamlined three-wheeler, Daihatsu delivery trucks, the 1938 USA built Trimobile and Reliant's much-loved Robin to bring to light the story of hundreds of remarkable three-wheeled vehicles.
Organized by manufacturer including full details of all models and over 470 photographs, together with an introduction by Charles Morgan of the Morgan Motor Company, The A-Z of Three-Wheelers is a comprehensive guide to this classic mode of transport.
Elvis' interest in 3-wheelers began in 1990 when prior to going to university his motorcycle was stolen and he purchased his first Reliant Robin that at the time could be driven on a motorcycle licence. It was this that started his interest in 3-wheelers and more specifically in Reliant vehicles. In 2000 Elvis set up 3-wheelers.com which is now possibly the largest web site on 3-wheeled cars on the Internet. Whilst his daily runner these days is a "modern" 4-wheeler, there has always been place for a 3-wheeler as well.
Elvis works in the IT sector and is married with a son.