Robert Q. Riley Enterprises: Product Design & Development

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Trimuter on cover of Mechanix Illustrated magazine

Mechanix Illustrated feature on Trimuter

 

Gas or 
   electric


50 mpg on
   gasoline

60 miles
   range as EV

Build for
   $3500

Order Online
- or -
by Phone, Fax, or Mail

Plans Include...

12 - 17 x 22
   inch drawings

60-pg photo-
  illustrated book

Price... $95

Shipping and guarantee info

Frequently Asked Questions

 

The World's Finest Plans-Built Projects

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Trimuter

A Gasoline or Battery-Electric Three Wheel Car
Plans Show Gas & Electric Versions

Trimuter - A gasoline or battery-electric three-wheeler you build

Featured on the Cover of Mechanix Illustrated Magazine
and in the Movie "Total Recall"

Over 30,000 Plans in the Field

""
Order Plans Now
   $95
Plans include twelve 17 x 22 inch drawings, plus a 60-pg manual.
 

How to order Trimuter plans

Trimuter was introduced on the cover of Mechanix Illustrated Magazine and went on to become the magazine's all-time favorite DIY project.  Within months, Trimuter car clubs began to pop up, a few states changed motor vehicle code to accommodate the three-wheel design.  Prefab bodies and chassis soon became available from independent manufacturers. When Mechanix Illustrated changed their logo to become Home Mechanix, Trimuter retained its position as the most popular project in the 75-year history of the magazine.

    High Resolution Trimuter Images     Trimuter differs from its forerunners by having three wheels instead of four - one front and two rear. This distinctive layout leads to the car's striking and efficient wedge shape. It also means that Trimuter is a motorcycle and not a car in the eyes of the federal government. This saves on license fees and makes vehicle inspections less stringent. Other benefits include a chassis that is lighter, more simplified, and slightly more efficient than an equivalent four-wheel chassis. In addition, Trimuter can be built as either a conventional gasoline powered car or a battery-electric vehicle. The body and chassis are designed to accept either power system, and plans provide complete details for both. The ICE version, powered by a 16-hp, two-cylinder industrial engine, delivers 50 miles to a gallon of regular gasoline - about the same as a large motorcycle. The electric version uses ten 6-volt batteries and runs 60 miles on a charge. Either version can top 60 mph. Cost to build the car will be more for the electric version, which is due mainly to the cost of batteries. Figure about $4,500 or so to build the electric version and about $3,500 for the gasoline version.

         Trimuter was featured on the cover of Mechanix Illustrated magazine,  and it was used as a background vehicle in the movie Total RecallThe body is built of the same FRP/urethane foam composite used to build the other vehicles in the series. For more information on the body construction method, click on One-Off Construction Using FRP/Urethane Foam Composite.

Specifications

Length: 146 inch
Width:  67 inch
Height: 45 inch
Wheelbase: 88 inch
Tread: 54-1/2 inch
Brakes: Drum
Ground Clearance: 6 inch
Turning Circle: 25 feet
Front Suspension: Leading arm with anti-dive geometry
Rear Suspension: Independent semi- trailing arm
Body Construction: Fiberglass over urethane foam

Seating: Two, side-by-side
Curb Weight (ICE):* 850 lbs
Curb Weight (EV):** 1400-1550 lbs
Fuel Capacity: 17 gallons
Batteries: 8 or 10 each, 6-volt lead-acid
Range (ICE):* 850 miles
Range (EV):** 60 miles (60-volt system)
Engine: 16 hp Briggs & Stratton
Motor: Baldor #7544
Maximum Speed (ICE):* 63 mph
Maximum Speed (EV):** 60 mph (60-volt system)
Build Time: 400-600 hours

* ICE: Internal combustion engine
** EV: Electric vehicle

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To Order Plans

  • Mail:  Use the online Order Form to automatically calculate shipping charges and provide a total amount. Click on the "Order Trimuter Plans" link above, then press "Add Item to Cart." Fill in your shipping information. You cannot proceed to the Confirmation Page (for freight calculations) without making entries in the credit card fields. If you prefer to enter your credit card information later, simply enter a series of spaces in the Credit card fields then press "Proceed to Confirmation." Print the Confirmation Page and enter any missing information. Mail your confirmation page to us, along with your check, money order, or credit card information. (Outside the U.S., please make payment in U.S. funds using a credit card or International Money Order.)

  • Order by Phone:   Weekdays 8:00 am to 6:00 pm MST: 480-685-3225.

                     Shipments to U.S. destinations go by First Class or Priority Mail (depending on weight).
                     Shipments to destinations outside the U.S. go by mail: "Airmail, Letter-Post."
                     Arizona residents, add 10.2% sales tax.

Robert Q. Riley Enterprises, LLC.
P.O. Box 14465
Phoenix, AZ 85063-4465
Phone:  480-685-3225

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