Can You Name All of These Three-Wheeled Vehicles From an Image?

Robin Tyler

Image: noktao / Pixabay

About This Quiz

Cars come in all weird shapes, sizes and designs. A particular favorite, especially post-World War II, was the three-wheeler, mostly in a microcar form.

But three-wheeled vehicles, which remain popular today, have a long history which dates back to the dawn of motoring. In fact, the vehicle that many describe as the first production vehicle made was a three-wheeler. Back then, in the 1880s, it must have seemed the most obvious design, with the front wheel effectively becoming the steering point and replacing the horse that would have accompanied a horse-drawn carriage.

Three-wheeled vehicles continued to be built and were again popular in the 1920s but most certainly the 1930s.

Following World War II, many Germany companies that had manufactured aircraft during the war now started to make cars, with tiny three-wheelers the most popular. And it's not difficult to see why. Small, low running costs and certainly looks played a part in their popularity.

But it didn't stop there either. Three-wheeled vehicles, although not mainstream, certainly were a niche market, with some even becoming popular in TV shows such as 'Only Fools and Horses' and 'Mr. Bean'.

But would you be able to identify a three-wheeler model just from an image?

Let's test your knowledge of these niche market vehicles!

Let's start with an easy one. Which three-wheeler is shown in this image?

Many auto historians believe the Benz Patent-Motorwagen to be the very first production automobile. It was produced in 1885 and built until 1893. During that time, 25 were made.

Cute, isn't it! Can you name it?

Mini cars have a certain charm, and perhaps the most famous of them all is the Isetta. Interestingly, this was not a BMW design, but built under license. BMW built the Isetta between 1955 to 1962. Not all, but some were three-wheelers.

Often appearing on TV, which three-wheeler is shown in this image?

The Reliant Robin is famous for appearing in the TV series "Mr. Bean" and becoming a space shuttle in a "Top Gear" episode. It was also very popular in the United Kingdom and produced for periods between 1973 and 2002. Most were powered by 750 or 850 cc engines. The Robin was also built under license in Greece.

It sure is pretty, but can you name the make and model of the three-wheeler in this image?

Produced in the 1930s by the Morgan Motor Company, the F4 used a Ford engine, originally used in the Model Y. This model was produced right up until 1952.

A three-wheeled truck ... yes, they did exist. What was this one called?

This three-wheeled truck was manufactured between 1949 and 1955. It had two wheels at the rear and a steerable single front wheel.

Only 13 of this strange-looking three-wheeler were built in the late 1940s. Name it, please.

Certainly an interesting-looking three-wheeler, the Davis D2 Divan was manufactured between 1947 and 1949. Only 13 were ever built.

The three-wheeler in this image is a ____________

Two generations of the Daihatsu Midget have been produced from 1957 to 2002. Only the first generation, made from 1957 to 1972, were three-wheeled vehicles. It was used as an auto rickshaw, but truck and panel van versions were marketed as well.

It's not a doorstop but a micro car ... and with three wheels. What is it?

Built between 1970 and 1974 in the United Kingdom, the Bond Bug has a distinctive wedge shape with the canopy lifting up and forward to let the driver in. It was powered by a 700 cc motor coupled to a 4-speed manual gearbox.

A modern three-wheeler with an aluminum skin covering. Do you know the make and model?

A modern three-wheeler, the Pembleton Supersports is a 3-wheel cycler car that weighs less than 300 kg thanks to its stressed aluminum skin. Over 500 kits have been sold of this vehicle.

Another three-wheeler truck. Which company produced it between 1957 and 1974 and what model is it?

The T2000 was a three-wheeler truck produced by Mazda between 1957 and 1974.

Name this three-wheeler that is actually based on an invalid carriage.

Messerschmitt was an aircraft manufacturer in Germany during World War II. After the war, they turned their hand to making cars with their first model, the KR175 produced from 1953 to 1955. This vehicle was actually a longer model of an invalid carriage made by Fritz Frend. 15,000 were built over a three-year period.

The smallest production car ever built is shown in this image. Name this three-wheeler, please.

The Peel P50, the smallest production car ever built was made for a period from 1962 to 1965 and again from 2010 to present. It is light enough for the driver to move around, hence it has no reverse gear. The P50 is capable of 45 km/h. An electric model is also available.

Name the three-wheel vehicle shown in this image, please.

Based on the two-seat Isetta microcar, the 600 microcar was bigger and could seat four occupants. It was the first four-person car produced in Germany after the war but was not much of a success in terms of sales. The 600 was powered by a 600cc engine.

Still in production after it was first introduced in 1988, this three-wheeler is called a __________

With power from an inline 6-cylinder BMW engine, the Campagna T-Rex produces a healthy 160 brake horsepower. This three-wheeler has been in production since 1988.

Sadly this futuristic looking three-wheeler never went into production. Any idea as to what it would be called?

Certainly very futuristic-looking, the Aptera 2e has never entered production. Electric driven, the 2e was claimed to reach 0-60 mph in under 10 seconds and have a top speed of 85 mph. I guess we will never know if those figures were true.

This three-wheeler has appeared in Austin Powers: Goldmember. Can you name it?

A battery-driven vehicle, the Corbin Sparrow certainly has a unique shape. It has a range of up to 40 miles and a top speed of 70 mph. The Sparrow has appeared in a number of Hollywood movies including "Looper" and "Austin Powers: Goldmember."

Classified as a scooter, name this three-wheeler, please.

A three-wheel scooter, the Piaggio MP3 was first introduced in 2006. A range of models powered by 125 cc right up to 600 cc engines are available. A plug-in hybrid was also introduced in 2009.

Still only a concept, sadly, can you name this three-wheeled vehicle?

A concept car by Volkswagen, the GX3 was first shown at the LA Motor Show in 2006. Sadly, the GX3, powered by a 1.6-liter straight six engine, remains a concept ... for now.

Do you know the maker and name of this three-wheeled truck?

Built between 1948 and 1967, the Scammell Scarab is a 3-wheel vehicle used by the British military as well as rail transport services.

The first ever passenger car produced by this company was a three-wheeler, pictured here. Do you know who manufactured it in the 1950s and what it was called?

A 2-door coupe, the Daihatsu Bee was produced in Japan for a two-year period from 1951 to 1952. It was immediately recognizable for its long hood and was powered by a 540 cc gasoline engine.

The three-wheeler shown here is a _______________

Before they built the Bug, Bond produced the 875 for a period from 1965 to 1970. Available as a 2-door saloon or van, the 875 was powered by 875 cc engine capable of 34 brake horsepower. The 875 could reach an impressive 80 mph.

Over 55,000 units of this bubble car were produced in the 1950s. Can you name it?

Messerschmitt were an aircraft manufacturer in Germany during World War II. After the war, they started to produce cars with the KR175 their first model. It was followed by the KR200, which was manufactured from 1956 to 1964.

This three-wheeler was so light, you could drive it with just a motorcycle license. Name it, please.

Produced between 1953 and 1973, the Regal was Reliant's precursor to the Robin. Due to its lightweight nature, it could be driven with a motorcycle license.

First introduced in 1986, this three-wheeler made use of human and battery power. Do you know what it is called?

A human electric hybrid vehicle, the Twike was first seen in 1986. It has an electric motor and sets of pedals, allowing the driver and passenger to contribute toward the range of the electric engine.

This three-wheeler had two configurations - sedan and pickup. Do you know what it was called?

Launched in the United States in 2006, the Zap Xebra was available as a sedan and pickup! It was produced between 2006 and 2009. In 2013, all 2008 models were recalled and owners refunded due to a safety issue with braking.

Name this three-wheeler that comes with an automatic balancing system.

Produced between 1999 and 2009, the Carver uses an automatic balancing system to keep the vehicle upright. It is powered by a 660cc turbo-charged engine which produced 60 brake horsepower.

You should easily identify this motorcycle three-wheeler. What is it?

Manufactured by Harley Davidson, the Servi-Car, a 3-wheel trike was produced by the company from 1932 to 1972.

Can you tell us the make and model of this three-wheel truck?

A 3-wheel truck, the K360 was produced by Mazda between 1959 and 1969. Over 280,000 were made.

Still in production today, name this three-wheeler that first hit the streets in 1987.

First introduced in 1987, the CityEl is still built today. This three-wheel electric car has a range of around 56 miles and is powered by a 4.5 kW electric motor. It originated in Denmark but is now made in Germany.

Identify this three-wheeler for us, please.

Another German micro car, the Heinkel Kabine was built in Germany between 1956 and 1958 before it was built under licence by Trojan cars in the United Kingdom from 1960 till 1966. Later models, which weighed only 243 kilograms, were powered by a 200 cc motor.

Time once voted this three-wheeler one of the worst cars ever. Do you know what it is?

Only 45 Peel Tridents were produced between 1965 and 1966. With its bubble canopy, the Trident certainly had a cute factor. Time magazine, however, ranked the Trident as one of its 50 worst cars ever made.

Do you know the make and model of this three-wheeled pickup truck?

A 3-wheeled pickup truck, the Reliant Ant was in production for a 20-year period between 1967 and 1987.

This project three-wheeler runs on natural gas. Can you tell us what it is called?

A project between the University of Bath, BMW and others, CLEVER is a tilting 3-wheeler. CLEVER stands for compact low emission vehicle for urban transport. It runs on natural gas.

This three-wheeler was manufactured in the 1920s. Can you name it?

Produced between 1921 and 1925, the Scott Sociable was certainly a unique looking 3-wheeler.It was powered by a 578 cc engine and around 200 were made.

A massive flop, which three-wheeled vehicle is picture here?

Sir Clive Sinclair was a leading designer in micro-personal computers. He then decided to launch a car - the C5. Launched in 1985, this battery-driven 3-wheeler was an utter failure. Only 5,000 of the 14,000 made were produced with many citing its poor speed, low range and lack of waterproofing as a turn-off.

Beautifully strange! Sadly, only three units of this three-wheeler were ever produced. What is it?

It's sad that only three prototypes of the Dymaxion were ever produced. Just look at it, it is a thing of beauty. Only one original survives today.

The three-wheeler pictured here is the _________________

Germans certainly loved micro cars, and after World War II, many were produced including the Moptetta from Brütsch. Only 14 were ever made.

This car was first produced in the United Kingdom in 1952. Name it, please.

Powered by a rear-mounted 350 cc engine, the AC Petite was by AC cars (yes, they supplied the bodywork for the AC Cobra) between 1952 and 1957.

This three-wheeler had problems and never went into production. What is it?

The Clipper meant to be a competitor to the Bond Minicar in the 1950s. This 3-wheel microcar was powered by a 346 cc engine that produced 8 brake horsepower. Amazingly, it could seat three adults but it never went into production because of many troubles including driveshaft problems as well as overheating worries.

This vehicle was manufactured in Austria in the'50s. Name it.

Built in Austria between 1952 and 1954, the Libelle was a 3-wheeled micro car powered by a 200 cc engine.

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