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July 26, 2020

1975 UrbaCar – A Town Car That You Could Purchase and Assemble Yourself for Only $1,400

When UrbaCar was featured on the cover of Mechanix Illustrated magazine in the mid-1970s it set off a build-it-yourself car boom that would last for over ten years. It was the first in a long series of alternative cars that would be featured by Mechanix Illustrated magazine. Ultimately it would lead to a series of unique car designs following a minimalist alternative car theme. UrbaCar was envisioned as an in-town runabout that would help reduce dependence on imported oil, but in reality it was a precursor to today’s super-mileage cars like Smart Car and hybrids.

The original prototype, as it appears in Mechanix Illustrated, was powered by a 12 kW (16 hp) single cylinder industrial engine mounted in the rear. It delivered a top speed of 95 km/h (60 mph) and fuel economy on the order of 23 km/l (55 mpg). Using today’s automotive technology, it could easily reach 100 mpg. The design featured removable gull-wing doors and a 10 gallon fuel tank that would hold enough fuel for nearly 965 km (600 mi).

UrbaCar tips the scales at a mere 295 kg (650 lb). Because of its low curb weight, the small 12 kW (16 hp) engine still gives it a power-to-weight ratio about equal to that of the early VW Beetle. And more powerful engines can be installed. The simple drive train uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which transfers power to an oil-bath chain drive and then through a differential to the rear wheels. A standard automotive starter motor drives the car in reverse. The integral power train (engine, transmission, and final drive mounted on a sub-frame) is suspended from the rear of the chassis at four points using soft rubber mounts. This allows for easy removal of the drive package, and it effectively isolates vibrations.

Ultimately, UrbaCar went through three generations of improvements. The perfected version was slated for production in Kitchener, Ontario, until public interest in high fuel economy vanished as the oil market stabilized. Plans offered here include the previously unpublished and vastly improved production chassis. It is still classified as a “1975 UrbaCar.” A non-functional UrbaCar is on display at the American Museum of Science and Energy at Oak Ridge, Tennessee.










(This original article was published on Robert Q. Riley Enterprises)

2 comments:

  1. "Car"?
    No. It is a go-cart with accessories, nothing more.

    Invented by George Carter III (the guy who also invented Laser tag, motorized surf boards, bumper boats, and the OPTESS military training system, among other things) Coot Industries was selling these (called RoughRiders) in 1969, sans fancy body panels, in 3 different models.
    The Searcher (12hp 4cycle recoil start)
    The Snoopy (12hp 4cycle electric start)
    The Red Baron (18.5hp 2cycle electric start)

    Although marketed as only being able to do 50mph in order to avoid being subject to state and federal highway restrictions, with minor tuning adjustments and removal of the governor the Red Baron could easily do 65mph with no loss of fuel economy.
    They are considered to be the first "fast" ATVs.

    The idiotic UrbaCar is simply one of these with body panels, proper shocks, and a bigger gas tank.

    http://www.carterinventions.com/all-terrain-vehicle

    ReplyDelete
  2. These auto accessories include, dash covers, seat covers, mirrors, shifter knobs, steering wheel covers, fuel consumption meters, window tint, stereo system, DVD players, floor mats and even air fresheners. Car seat covers can be purchased at any store or auto store and they come in different materials. protuninglab.com

    ReplyDelete




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