I hope we all know that this 1981 HMV (High Mileage Vehicles) Freeway is not, not, not made for freeway driving, don’t we? That always comes up for some reason when a little car is shown here. And yes, you will die if a 1984 Chevy Suburban broadsides you with a texting driver at the wheel, so there’s that. Sitting inside our houses and watching TV is much healthier, but sometimes you have to take a few chances in life. Thanks to Numskal for the tip!
Nothing says living like driving a three-wheeled microcar in modern traffic, even to a neighborhood store on 25-30 mph city streets. This seller appears to have a nice collection of vehicles, and I like that, especially because they added an HMV Freeway to the mix for something way off the charts. These cars were made in Burnsville, Minnesota, for a few years, just from 1979 through 1982, and well under 800 were said to have been made.
At least for a three-wheeler, it has the proper configuration for stability or relative stability. That is until a certain British car guy gets a hold of it and loads weights on one side so it tips over, thus providing several million dollars worth of clicks on his YouTube page. The rear window lifts up (you can see the hinges on the top and the handle at the bottom) for grocery duties, and that’s where this vehicle would be fun for me, just driving to the neighborhood store for groceries or the local coffee shop.
The photos aren’t the best here, which is disappointing. For such a small vehicle (less than 10 feet long), it would have been nice to have more and much better photos and no verticals, but at least we see almost everything other than the rest of the interior and the engine. I’m not sure what the cord is for in this example as shown in the first photo, it almost looks like a power cord. Maybe it’s a battery maintainer. Although now that I zoom in on that area, there appears to be a yellow jug in the rear compartment, maybe an auxiliary fuel source? The seller doesn’t mention that, so I’m not sure what’s going on there.
The seller says this one runs and drives great, and there are no “stupid mods,” and it is all stock, so I’m not sure what the hose is from the engine compartment to the rear luggage compartment. They don’t say what engine is in here, and there were two available: a 12 hp and a 16 hp Tecumseh single-cylinder. Whichever one it is sends power through a CVT-type transmission to the single rear wheel. It’s great to hear that it runs well and looks in excellent condition. They have it posted here on Craigslist in La Mirada, California, and they’re asking $6,000 or offer. Cash talks, as always. Here is the original listing. Have you seen one in person or, better yet, owned one?
“It’s much healthier to sit inside our houses and watch TV, but sometimes you have to take a few chances in life.”
Perfectly said, Scotty: it’s all about being safe. Afraid of deep water? Don’t go near the lake-or become a good swimmer. Afraid of getting hit by a bigger vehicle? Don’t drive a small one-or learn to be a better rider/driver. The dictionary tells us that the definition of safety is “without risk”.
“That ain’t happening”. Where we live can be a risky thing-tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, wildfires, the ex..eventually something can threaten to get the house.
Buy this, enjoy it and drive it.
Scotty you are right about the photos. Is this for one or two people?
Now this trike/car practically screams “give me a Hayabusa motor”, and I’m sure someone somewhere has heeded that call!
We can only hope so.
Thank G-d it’s not an EV. I actually like it. Again, all about timing. In 1981, we were still mourning the loss of our LTDs, and what replaced them, this had a snowballs chance in Hades of making it. For today, however, it’s an “anti-EV”, as it were. While the Tecumseh motor, I thought made in Wisconsin, but made in Michigan, were more powerful than it’s arch nemesis, Briggs and Stratton, they had weak cams, and lost power, while the Briggs chugged on. Since I’m confident I’ll run the last lap on this rock alone, a personal vehicle like this could replace the Jeep. I don’t want to go far anyway anymore.
Performance? FORGETABOUTIT. I read, the 12hp model claimed 100 mpg, but fell short, more like 80, still impressive and claimed top speed of 75 mph, again, more like 50. The “Sport” model, with the 16 HP, dropped to 60 mpg, but could do 75, if you dared. No 1/4 mile times, as stopwatches only go to 15 minutes,,, I read a diesel version was offered too, but nobody bought one. These cost about $2700 new, a hefty price then. It could be considered another great American “swing and a miss”.
I had a 12 hp Tecumseh in a Sears Suburban garden tractor. Used it to blow snow, plow snow, haul cordwood out of the woods, grade the driveway, stand-by generate, etc. I gave it hell for 30 years and that sucker just wouldn’t quit.
It once swallowed one of the throttle plate screws and dimpled the piston crown but that was at about year 15. Put the head back with the old gasket and it was off into the woods again!
Biggest problem was the compression-release lobe on the cam wore down and when it was cold I had to roll the engine back to the prior compression stroke so the starter could get a head start on the next one. Started sub-zero under a tarp with just a 60W extension cord next to the crankcase.
In short, fantastic engine!
As a Co Founder of the GREAT AMERICAN LAND YACHT SOCIETY, I must HUM what is this? Can easily understand why these IMO miniscule POS are few and far between! 🤮. Truly a REVOLTING peasant ?car?. As usual, I’m on to VERSAILLES! 🏰😄 😁 🤣
When these came out, I wanted one soooo bad. Just couldn’t figure out how to get one and then dad talked me into getting a 914.
Back in ’82, I bought a NEW yellow 1982 Freeway with no “optional” reverse, (yes, reverse was an option) 12HP engine, and the seat was on the gas tank! TOTAL piece of crap !!!
Lol I guess the idea is that these get incredible milage. My Corrola Hybrid gets 59.8 MPG.