An Unfinished Trimuter from the Glory Days of Kit Cars
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Do you remember when you could flip through the back of magazines like Popular Mechanics and Mechanix Illustrated to find DIY plans for all kinds of space-age machines and devices? Well, about 30,000 shade tree mechanics got plans for the exotic canopy-topped Trimuter car from Mechanix Illustrated, after the magazine featured the three-wheeler on the cover of its February 1980 issue. And now an unfinished Trimuter project car is listed for sale on eBay Motors.
The Trimuter on eBay is powered in this case by a two-cylinder, 18-horsepower Briggs & Stratton gas engine of the lawnmower variety—electric versions were also available. The gas version was good for 50 mpg, and the electric had 60 miles of range.
The eBay seller bought the unused Trimuter at an estate sale, and was told it had been stored inside since 1985. The car is incomplete—there are no windows, and the clutch appears to be inoperable—but help is available in the form of complete plans, drawings and a 60-page manual for $95 at RQRiley.com - opens in new window or tab.—a fascinating site specializing in oddball kit cars and DIY projects.
The car, with a body made of FRP/urethane foam composite and pop-up headlights, was a huge hit. Several states changed their motor vehicle laws to accommodate it. The project was the most popular in the 75-year history of Mechanix Illustrated. It would go on to celebrity by appearing in Total Recall, the 1990 sci-fi thriller staring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Trimuter-related literature is available on eBay.
“I do believe that this is the cleanest, low-mileage Trimuter around,” states the seller. “This kit car comes with a bill of sale only as it has not been registered or titled.” In many states, three-wheeled vehicles like this are registered as motorcycles.
These kit cars were part of a wave of inexpensive, fuel-efficient commuter vehicles that appeared in the wake of the 1970s fuel crisis. The somewhat similar four-wheel wedge-shaped electric CitiCar - opens in new window or tab.—also known as the Comuta-Car—from Florida-based Sebring-Vanguard also sold quite well. It was not a kit car, but a low-production model with more than 4,000 units produced between 1974 and 1979. Let’s face it: they weren’t good cars, but they were cheap to buy and to operate. And there was no need to wait in gas station lines during the oil crisis days.
Other Mechanix Illustrated kit cars you may encounter include the 80-horsepower Tri-Magnum - opens in new window or tab. (much prettier than the Trimuter) from 1983; the diesel-powered Urba-Centurion - opens in new window or tab. “sports car” from 1982; and the hideous Town Car, based on a VW Beetle chassis and with a hybrid-electric drivetrain good for 100 mpg.
Unfinished projects like this one are cheap to buy—and this Trimuter - opens in new window or tab. is mostly assembled, sporting a handmade-looking instrument panel. Plans exist to upgrade to a four-cylinder VW motor if you want more power. It should be relatively easy to get the Trimuter on the road, and then you have a brand-new car—one that can serve as a time machine back to the glory days of kit cars.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.