- Seller: Thomas M (Contact)
- Location: Chatsworth, New Jersey
- Mileage: 1,500 Shown
- Chassis #: VG216175
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: Moto Gucci 1000cc Big Block
- Transmission: Manual
An exposed 1,000cc Moto Guzzi V-twin is a good way to make sure nobody mistakes this for an ordinary sports car. With two front wheels, one at the rear, and a compact open cockpit between them, this 1983 Triking follows the same basic formula that made the Morgan three-wheeler famous. The seller is asking $15,000 for it here on Barn Finds Classifieds. It is located in Chatsworth, New Jersey, and is offered with what the seller describes as a clean title and an odometer that is showing just 1,500 miles.
This is more than a generic Morgan-style kit. Triking’s own history says company founder Tony Divey was a draftsman and technical artist whose time working with Colin Chapman at Lotus helped shape the design. Divey completed the first Triking in 1977, and production soon followed in Norfolk, England. The little machines were used as road-going sports tourers as well as in rallies, hill climbs, and sprints.
The seller identifies the engine as a 1,000cc “big-block” Moto Guzzi unit paired with a manual transmission. Its air-cooled V-twin sits proudly ahead of the cockpit, with the cylinder heads, carburetors, and much of the front suspension fully visible. That layout should provide a direct driving experience, although the submission does not identify the exact engine model, transmission, or whether it has a reverse mechanism. More importantly, the seller does not state whether the TriKing currently runs and drives, so prospective buyers should confirm its operating condition and recent service history.
The white bodywork is accented by a thin dark stripe, wire wheels, cycle-style front fenders, chromed headlamps, and a rounded tail that conceals the single rear wheel. Inside is a left-hand-drive, black-trimmed cockpit with twin windscreens, a wood-look dashboard, toggle switches, a three-spoke steering wheel, and a centrally mounted shifter.
A Triking is unlikely to be anyone’s only vehicle, but that’s hardly the point. It offers the unique cyclecar experience, an Italian motorcycle soundtrack, and British sports car character in a package that should turn even a short back-road drive into an occasion. Assuming its mechanical condition and paperwork check out, would you take this Moto Guzzi-powered three-wheeler over a more familiar Morgan?
Another unique and interesting ride today! And a great question-this one over a Morgan? That might come down to whether the new owner will be comfortable in doing their own upkeep or finding someone trustworthy to do so and which version, a 1950’s era Ford powered, a pre WW2 using a Matchless motor, or the last rendition using an S&S version of an HD V-twin.
This being designed in part largely by an ex-Colin Chaplin engineer is a huge bonus IMHO..
The Guzzi motor is simple but finding a reliable mechanic is becoming increasingly difficult which increases the considerations in buying this sweet ride. Though these don’t usually have reverse it’s so light it’ll be easy to back up solo if needed.
And as a bonus a trimobile is cheaper to register in some states!
What a beauty, love the colour combination. Those Moto Guzzi engines look great.
I’ll take the Morgan. The body on this TriKing looks like a carnival amusement park ride.
I’ll trade you for a 1925 Buick Rat Rod open roadster with a 1964, 401 “Nail head” V8! It’s worth about the same and I’m located in AZ. Newell Cell: (928) 710-1941.
I own chassis number 32 Triking Series 1. These things are a hoot to drive. Very responsive at ~840# wet, and quite stable for a 3 Wheeler. The Triking might not be quite as pretty as an SS powered Morgan, but with better performance, much better reliability and at less than half the price? Take me to the carnival!
I agree on the price difference!
I have a home made Morgan replica that has a Moto Guzzi 949cc engine, kind of a squirrely ride, and very noisy. It gets a lot of attention, the scariest thing is seeing someone next to you with their phone pointed at you while driving.