Links to other 'Unusual Vehicle' Web pages.
Click on the small photo to see an enlarged version or the other links to view different angles. Several of these vehicles date back to the late 60's where they were made in a small town in Central Western Queensland called Longreach.
Wheel
Driven Tigermoth [Pic
1]This vehicle uses an original Tiger Moth aircraft frame, driven by a Simca Rush 4 cylinder petrol engine with a 4 speed gearbox. A double pulley was mounted in the back of the gearbox and diff and connected with v belts which geared it down about 3 to 1. It had no conventional steering wheel connected but used wheel brakes similar to how a dozer turns. The rear wheel are a free turning castor ex aircraft type. 3 brake pedals were fitted, the 2 outside ones connected to each hand brake connection on each wheel and the 3rd set up with hydraulics. When it drives it looks a little like a taxying WW2 fighter as it tends to weave back and forth. (They did this as they couldn't see directly out the front because of the size of the motor) The machine could be spun in circles by locking one of the steering brakes but this could be a bit dangerous if the turning circle was misjudged. It never was intended to be flyable and was also not completely finished but was meant to have short stubby wings and a propeller that spun slowly. It seated 3 people comfortably, one behind each other with the driver up front.
Suzie's chassis was built up mainly from angle iron with a sulky (ex horse drawn) rear fitted. The front wheels and steering assembly came out of a Ford 10 and the motor and gearbox a 4 cylinder 3 speed Simca Rush petrol engine. This took a little time to get familiar with as the gearbox was originally a column shift and here a stick was mounted to the exit point on the gearbox. The hand (pull back) accelerator was mounted on the long sulky rods ( That went each side of the horse) so tended to fluctuate with the body flex which made for interesting driving on rough roads. Seating was for 5. The rear diff and wheels came from an early Holden, probably a FJ.
The WagonA Drovers Wagon (remember the old horse and carriage setup with 3 horses pulling) was mounted on top of an Austin A 40 chassis and motor. The standard column shift, brakes, steering wheel and accelerator were used with very long linkages used.
'Suzuki Carry'-TFord [Pic 1 first drive] [Pic
2] [Pic 3] [Pic
4]This uses a 1984 Suzuki Carry Ute motor, gearbox, diff, steering and suspension components mounted on a T Ford chassis. It's a 4 speed manual 850 cc 4 stroke petrol engine. A late model T Ford cowl is fitted and the rest built up from standard T Ford patterns. It took quite a bit of work to set up the steering system as the Suzuki had a formed chassis so the front steering components look a little like a short/long course buggy.
This is built up from conventional metal stock (angle iron, square tubing etc) with motor bike wheels and ex T Ford steering box. The Yamaha 185 electric start motor is connected by chain to a Holden 3 speed gearbox (with the belt housing cut off) which is then connected by chain to the right rear wheel. It does tend to fight for grip in rough surfaces as there is no suspension fitted, the body doesn't flex and it is driven from 1 wheel only. Gearing is 15 forward, 5 reverse with top speed about 20k/hr and slowest maybe 1k/hr. Headlights are from an original T Ford and are carbide lighting. Brakes are drum on the 2 back wheels only. Seating for 2, with trailer another 4. As the motor is aircooled an electric fan is set to blow air over the cylinder body in hot weather.
Original 1923, 21 HP model, 6 volt electric start Canadian Built. Instead of the magneto it has a chain driven distributor which make it much more reliable. This was a very common conversion and used readily available push bike sprokets & chain.
Original 1923 model but with 1926/27 wire spoke wheels. 6 volt electric start Canadian Built.
1940 DesotoWas a sedan cut down to a utility. The electrics were 6 volt cloth covered wire which wasn't so reliable so it was completely rewired and converted to 12v.
Big RigChassis was from a 3 cylinder Fiat. Motor 4 cylinder Morris 1000cc side valve engine.
The chassis is built up from square and rectangular mild steel tubing with wooden seat frame parts. It uses a Briggs and Stratton 3 HP stationary petrol engine which wasn't so suited because of the governor and centrifugal clutch arrangement. This was modified to a mainly on/off throttle pedal which over-road the govenor. A washing machine gearbox connects the motor to the tail-shaft and the rear gearing is made from spider wheels out of a diff. Steering box is a breast drill. Brakes are a fixed v belt around a pulley on the axle. Suited for 3 to 8 yrs but really is a little fast for the younger ones.
This was scaled from the full size T Ford although the driver sits on the back seat because of the scaling. Wheel size 12", spokes made from hollow steel tubing. The front suspension and steering is also scaled to the original so are quite detailed. It was initially made to be pedaled but this wasn't possible even geared 2:1 because of it's weight so is now electric powered. The motor is from a car fan blower and is connected to a drill gearbox (15:1 reduction) then reduced a further 3:1 by bike chain & sprokets to the wheels. (The right rear wheel freewheels) Accessories include a horn, window washer (which squirts passes by) and has forward and reverse. The circuitry took a little time to develop as I wanted it to be foolproof. This meant especially if forward and backward buttons were pressed similtanously, the electrics wouldn't go up in smoke. Want to make this, see circuit description & diagram.
Uses an electric start 5 HP Briggs & Stratton stationary petrol motor running through the drive innards of a Rover ride on mower with a 3 speed and reverse gearbox. This was modified to act as a clutch as a normal car instead of having to push the pedal down to go. Wheel size 12', steering box uses diff spider wheels. Brakes are a fixed belt running over a V pulley on the rear axle. The back door opens up to be a seat for 2 small children. Does around 20 k/hr top speed which is plenty fast enough. Motor bike rims were purchased and the spokes fabricated with hollow tubing. The hood can be peeled back or removed and the headlights work but can't be run for too long as the charging system doesn't keep up.
Based on a ride-on mower gear with a 7 HP Briggs & Stratton electric start petrol engine. 12" wheels using motor bike rims and hollow tubing spokes. Stretched a little to seat 1 adult comfortably.
This is based on an old (possible first for the company) ride on mower with a robin 8 HP petrol engine.
3 Wheeler V2The steering box if from an old washing machine gear box, rear tyres discarded Cessna wheels.
Push
Go-cart
4 Wheeler
20" Push bike with Side-Car [Pic 1]Takes a little time to get used to riding this but is a great device for carrying a child or gear.
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Last Updated Sunday, January 20, 2002
URL- http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Falls/1738/unusual.htm
