1978 Pacesetter III and 1979 Manco Quester 310

This pair of unusual three-wheelers can both be found on Facebook Marketplace in Black Creek, Wisconsin: the 1978 Pacesetter III here and the 1979 Manco Quester 310 here, listed by the same seller, who is asking $875 for the 1978 Pacesetter III and $950 for the 1979 Manco Quester 310. Here are the original listings: the 1978 Pacesetter III here and the 1979 Manco Quester 310 here, and thanks to Lothar… of the Hill People for sending in these tips!

Let’s check out the Pacesetter III first, shall we? (sound of 39,830 people snoring) We’ve seen a couple of unusual “Commuter Industries” three-wheelers here in the past, and I’ve mentioned my Commuter Industries TE-380 too many times. T = transaxle, E = electric start, 3 = three wheels, 8 = 8HP, and 0 =… er… actually, I’m not sure what the 0 stands for. I just rode my TE-380 about an hour ago; it’s much more agricultural than recreational, but it’s so unusual that it’s fun.

The Pacesetter III was the first model of the company’s three-wheelers, and from what I can tell, they all came with a Wisconsin Robin single-cylinder engine, either a 7.5-hp or 9-hp. This one has the 7.5-horsepower version. A torque-converter-type clutch/transmission provided power to the rear wheels, and the seller has uploaded a video of this one in action. This example appears to be pull-start-only, whereas my TE-380 is electric-start-only, weird. Here are a few brochures for anyone interested: here, here, and here.

The one-year-newer (1979) Manco Quester 310 is an even more unusual little rig, as you can see in the photos showing the front wheel. That suspension! Manco Products was more famous for its go-karts, like this fiberglass-body example we saw here on Barn Finds last year, but you can do much work on a farm or ranch with a go-kart. This tough little three-wheeler is much better for working, but you can still have fun just plain ol’ riding it.

Any guesses as to what 310 means? Yes! 3 = three wheels, and 10 = a 10-hp engine. Well done – class dismissed! Wait, don’t go yet. Manco made the Agway, Cenex, Motorcraft, and Manco “Rustler or Quester” 305/308/310, so there were a lot of varieties of basically the same machine. Sort of like MTD lawnmowers and snowblowers made for other companies. Here’s a brochure showing the Quester, although this one appears to have either a different seat and gas tank or something is going on there.

This one is much nicer than my primative Commuter Industries TE-380, with the nicely finished rear and front cargo racks that are downright elegant compared to the heavy iron with clumpy welded seams on mine. The nice taillight and other nice features make me think that Commuter Industries and Pacesetter were really much more working vehicles than the nice three-wheelers that Manco manufactured, a company that was used to making fine machines.

This is a 10-hp Kawasaki four-stroke single, and it has electric start and reverse. The seller says it runs “excellent,” which is what they also say about the Pacesetter III. Are any of you into obscure three-wheelers like these two oddballs?