The HM-Vehicles Freeway is the Lawn Mower Powered Three-Wheeler of Your Dreams

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  • Опубліковано 25 вер 2019
  • This is a 1981 HM-Vehicles Freeway. It's awful and hilarious
    Follow Kyle, the owner of this Freeway, on social media
    Instagram @fellerfactory ( / fellerfactory )
    Twitter @realKyleFeller ( / realkylefeller )
    Patreon: / agingwheels
    Merchandise: teespring.com/stores/aging-wh...
  • Авто та транспорт

КОМЕНТАРІ • 2,5 тис.

  • @agingwheels
    @agingwheels  4 роки тому +363

    Want to see more from this Freeway's owner? Follow him on social media! He also owns the Th!nk City and CitiCar that I've featured here before.
    Instagram: @fellerfactory (instagram.com/fellerfactory/)
    Twitter: @realKyleFeller (twitter.com/realKyleFeller)

    • @derp1006
      @derp1006 4 роки тому +16

      Unfortunately, both links say "Page not found" :(

    • @SueBobChicVid
      @SueBobChicVid 4 роки тому +3

      Thanks Kyle!

    • @sinformant
      @sinformant 4 роки тому +3

      Still better looking than the city car

    • @sinformant
      @sinformant 4 роки тому +13

      So when are you going to get an elio? Better question, when is anyone going to get an elio?

    • @robinthomas4086
      @robinthomas4086 4 роки тому +7

      You think this car is the most basic 3 wheel car. You should get your hands on a "Peel 50"

  • @ratedasmr7811
    @ratedasmr7811 4 роки тому +1506

    “Don’t store anything valuable in it” honestly, crooks may just throw free stuff in there out of pity.

    • @imnottellinudontwannaknow3188
      @imnottellinudontwannaknow3188 3 роки тому +6

      nice

    • @timothycook4782
      @timothycook4782 3 роки тому +65

      Experience living in cities tells me that if anything looks like junk in a public place, people will throw stuff *in* it as trash.

    • @Vollification
      @Vollification 3 роки тому +3

      Have a like :D

    • @macwayart
      @macwayart 3 роки тому +15

      Yeah, maybe you'll return to the parking lot and the thieves left you a better crappy car.. again out of pity.

    • @ratedasmr7811
      @ratedasmr7811 3 роки тому +5

      @@macwayart like a Honda Civic?

  • @ronniebruzer
    @ronniebruzer 4 роки тому +1288

    Why are all weird cars from the oil crisis era yellow, plastic and designed by Walt Disney's animation team?

    • @Flyfan24
      @Flyfan24 4 роки тому +103

      Aerodynamics and lightness probably. Yellow is just stylish 😂

    • @GigsVT
      @GigsVT 4 роки тому +148

      Yellow was a really popular color in the late 70s. It was never bright yellow, more of a harvest gold.

    • @brandonmartin-moore5302
      @brandonmartin-moore5302 4 роки тому +36

      Maybe yellow plastic was particularly cheap.

    • @jordanturner97
      @jordanturner97 4 роки тому +37

      My guess is they were able to reuse excess plastic (Or the coloring?) from other heavy equipment/construction equipment manufacturers at the time and cut costs

    • @ronniebruzer
      @ronniebruzer 4 роки тому +30

      @Mike L anti theft devices. 😆😂🤣

  • @mrmaniac3
    @mrmaniac3 3 роки тому +440

    When you want to inflate your resume
    "Yeah, I built over 700 freeways."

    • @raven4k998
      @raven4k998 3 роки тому +7

      I am shocked you could find 700 people to buy something like that you'd think it would be no one but eh it's a strange strange world we live in

    • @bannahpinson3330
      @bannahpinson3330 2 роки тому +10

      @@raven4k998 think of smoking crack in the 70s, these are the people who purchased these machines

    • @raven4k998
      @raven4k998 2 роки тому +8

      @@bannahpinson3330 no no no you need to think logically everyone has an inner child and look at the freeway it's basically an amusement park ride and it was apparently cheap to buy who wouldn't want one for that reason alone Think About It!!!!!!!!

    • @bannahpinson3330
      @bannahpinson3330 2 роки тому +5

      @@raven4k998 now this is a good point, notice as aging wheels pulled out of that parking lot their was a second freeway sitting in front of the owners house... my guess is two kids !

    • @raven4k998
      @raven4k998 2 роки тому +1

      @@bannahpinson3330 yeah well there's that and think about how Robert reacts when driving it have you ever seen anyone act like that driving a regular vehicle nope they have never had that much fun driving something that slow and loud so it makes sense people didn't buy it as serious transport but more for amusement because it is amusing to watch that thing go from a video it must be hilarious to drive the thing down the street the cars slower then a tribant but it looks like a hell of a lot more fun to drive then a tribant

  • @kitd56
    @kitd56 3 роки тому +164

    "A silly little micro car with 3 wheels and no hope." I love this guy!!!!

    • @raven4k998
      @raven4k998 Рік тому +1

      how can it feel like it's going to tip over it has two wheels in the front🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

    • @RomitSaha-oe2hv
      @RomitSaha-oe2hv 28 днів тому

      @@raven4k998 I know, right.🤣🤣🤣

  • @halopro8958
    @halopro8958 4 роки тому +1579

    “Cars” like this are why I really don’t consider The Trabant to be that bad.

    • @MrSpirit99
      @MrSpirit99 4 роки тому +162

      The Trabant was not that bad. Oh it was at the end of production 1989/1990, but at the beginning in the early 60's it wasn't bad at all. The body was very innovative. The rest wasn't that far off from other European small cars around that time. That's even more true for the first version the Trabant 500 from the 50's.
      It was build at the same time as the Isetta! Only never got updated for various political reasons.

    • @JohnSmith-eo5sp
      @JohnSmith-eo5sp 4 роки тому +11

      Trabant was just a plastic box on wheels, powered by a lawn-mower engine(two stroke) aka: an obsolete motorcycle engine

    • @urgolf1974
      @urgolf1974 4 роки тому +39

      ​@@MrSpirit99 Nice try to educate, but its hopeless. Its way more fun to laugh about a slow plastic car, with a two stroke engine, small brakes and no airbags. Compared to a 50s Lloyd Alexander, the engineering of the Trabant was a good job. But its more fun to compare it with late 80s cars. And you dont have to know anything about cars to do that, so its easy, too.

    • @MrJohndoakes
      @MrJohndoakes 4 роки тому +32

      @@JohnSmith-eo5sp Trabants could be updated with a four-cylinder engine (Skoda or Polski Fiat) and a lot of backyard engineering, the engine compartment is large-ish enough. This vehicle is doomed to have a lawnmower motor in it.

    • @philhahn
      @philhahn 4 роки тому +11

      dream for me would still be a nice trabant shell n pop in an electric engine ^_^

  • @sandyfleur4117
    @sandyfleur4117 4 роки тому +610

    When a "car" fails to be as reliable, well engineered, and as powerful as a Trabant.

    • @decap112
      @decap112 4 роки тому +31

      They are called chevy.

    • @Sohave
      @Sohave 4 роки тому +42

      A Trabant is a high quality muscle-car compared to this.

    • @RWBHere
      @RWBHere 4 роки тому +4

      ‘Kaa!?' - The sound a crow makes when one approaches.

  • @JohnRunyon
    @JohnRunyon 4 роки тому +203

    6:50 I love how the other guy is just casually walking after you at almost the same speed as the 'car'.

    • @raven4k998
      @raven4k998 Рік тому +2

      happens all the time with that car🤣

  • @falcon664
    @falcon664 3 роки тому +110

    First, I think it very smart that the car is Yield Sign Yellow. Second, I would think the electric version would be much quieter, which is comforting when you are about to die.

    • @raven4k998
      @raven4k998 Рік тому +2

      that's gotta be a safety feature🤣

    • @hereticpariah6_66
      @hereticpariah6_66 Рік тому +1

      Now, add a pair of _Joo Janta 200 Super-Chromatic Peril Sensitive Sunglasses™_ and you won't even see Death when he arrives!!

    • @techno1561
      @techno1561 11 місяців тому +1

      It also won't go as fast, and therefore won't inspire absolute terror trundling down the road at speed. You're not going to get anywhere fast, but you're also not going to feel like you're about to die getting there.

  • @itxofficial8281
    @itxofficial8281 4 роки тому +830

    Doug DeMuro: "I review the weirdest cars in existence!"
    Aging Wheels: "Challenge accepted."

    • @rarbiart
      @rarbiart 4 роки тому +19

      I am honestly expect an "AW score table" to apprear any episode.

    • @barrybend7189
      @barrybend7189 4 роки тому +15

      Regular Car Reviews: first time?

    • @itwontcomeout5678
      @itwontcomeout5678 4 роки тому +13

      This is more interesting than Top Gear at times lol

    • @VeraTheTabbynx
      @VeraTheTabbynx 4 роки тому +21

      The funny thing is that Doug Demuro actually reviewed the Aging Wheels Trabant 601S

    • @Bzons
      @Bzons 2 роки тому +4

      @@VeraTheTabbynx And his Zastava Yugo.

  • @AA-xb4px
    @AA-xb4px 4 роки тому +603

    "she'll go 300 hectares on a single tank of kerosene"

    • @AiOinc1
      @AiOinc1 4 роки тому +44

      Put it in H
      Zagravev min zlotny dev

    • @ProctorSilex
      @ProctorSilex 4 роки тому +2

      ua-cam.com/video/9HXT7fDkf9I/v-deo.html

    • @wildman510
      @wildman510 3 роки тому +9

      "she'll mow 50 feet of lawn on a quarter of a tank"

    • @johnbockelie3899
      @johnbockelie3899 3 роки тому

      I'll be a duck, smashed by a house, ....and a metal plate !!!

    • @johnbockelie3899
      @johnbockelie3899 3 роки тому

      Daddy, can Billy borrow the car?.

  • @GrumpyF0X
    @GrumpyF0X 4 роки тому +79

    "Every person I see is staring at me because I'm driving bright yellow suppository with a lawn mower engine."
    You have got yourself a new subscriber sir!

  • @Davett53
    @Davett53 3 роки тому +51

    My college buddy bought one of these, and even belonged to club of fellow owners, who helped each other keep them running. He lived in suburban Chicago, and used his for fun in the warmer months. He did tell me they were pretty terrible, and horrible in any kind of snow and ice. He said they all had fun with them, but knew they were short lived.

    • @censusgary
      @censusgary Рік тому +3

      It must have been a pretty small club, if only 700 of these gizmos were ever built- and I assume not all of them went to Chicago.

    • @Davett53
      @Davett53 Рік тому +4

      @@censusgary I remember him telling me about a club or group,...then recently I read something, that confirmed it. It was an article about how the owners of these vehicles have annual events that the public can attend, where they can see a dozen Freeways,...& watch them drive around.

    • @elliotkane4443
      @elliotkane4443 18 днів тому +1

      @@Davett53 People have some strange hobbies for sure, but this... Why?

    • @Davett53
      @Davett53 18 днів тому

      @@elliotkane4443Well at the time, it seemed like the pathway to a more efficient kind of car, maybe one that saved fuel. Tiny 3 wheeled cars had been around forever. People like "kit" cars built off a recycled VW Beetle chassis. OK maybe this one failed, but no harm in trying something new. Every year someone invents a new mini-three wheeler. Ever hear of The Elio? It tried to launch in 2010, it was kind of kit car based off of: "off the shelf" parts, combining motorcycle parts, meant to a one person car, and it looked really cool. It was going to sell for real cheap, not much more than medium priced motorcycle, with an enclosed driver compartment. It was supposed to be an all-season car, but proved only to be useful in warmer climates without snow or much real weather.

  • @autocon2002
    @autocon2002 4 роки тому +649

    The more excited he gets, the more he sounds like Kermit the Frog.

  • @wojciechbatog576
    @wojciechbatog576 4 роки тому +468

    When a car makes you long for the sophistication and comfort of a Trabant that's saying something;)

    • @DeerKoden
      @DeerKoden 4 роки тому +24

      Trabant: i wobble
      Freeway: *hold my beer*

    • @allianceofsteel
      @allianceofsteel 4 роки тому +9

      when a car makes you dream of the sophistication and reliability of a model A .... lol.

    • @blackgriffinxx
      @blackgriffinxx 4 роки тому +4

      I'll take a go-cart please .

    • @mateabda
      @mateabda 4 роки тому +2

      like whole families went here on holidays with a trabant or a polski fiat, soo, it is much-much worse

    • @duhjooner
      @duhjooner 4 роки тому +3

      "...sophistication and comfort of a Trabant..." is a phrase I never thought i'd read.

  • @stephenpowstinger733
    @stephenpowstinger733 4 роки тому +122

    I can imagine the designer marveling at his sleek futuristic car on the drawing board.

    • @Vollification
      @Vollification 3 роки тому +6

      Well it was the 70s. The design was like that. Basically what someone from the 40s thought the future should look like. Wonder if all the people living back then where colour blind? Everything was in "light" colours (baby blue, pink or light green) or varying shades of brown.

    • @neeneko
      @neeneko 3 роки тому +10

      @@Vollification I can not recall which decade it was, but I can recall years ago going over this basic question in a design class and it mostly came down to new paints/materials that were not available (or were horribly expensive) only a few years before that. So the taste came down to 'because we can, and before we could not'

    • @Vollification
      @Vollification 3 роки тому +1

      @@neeneko Wasn't that also why they hade all the non-sense food back then?
      "We have stuff now that we didn't before so let's make stuff up like pineapple and ham."
      I used to study to study graphical design and you can clearly see how the taste in marketing went from informative, serious and classy (everyone wanted to look like they where the most serious company in the world) to cheap and downright tacky.

    • @neeneko
      @neeneko 3 роки тому +3

      @@Vollification that would not surprise me, though there was also a LOT of marketing involved in the post WWII food industry since there was a massive military-foodstuffs capacity that they wanted to repurposed.
      But yeah, trends in design over time are really fascinating, with so much 'yeah, it is a bad idea, but everyone is doing it and we don't want to risk being on the out!'

    • @Vollification
      @Vollification 3 роки тому

      @@neeneko The history of marketing, do what everyone else does but louder :p

  • @davidclark3304
    @davidclark3304 3 роки тому +77

    My neighbor had one of those. He said to me, "I wish I hadn't bought that darn car." The same neighbor rolled his on a cloverleaf and told me if I ever bought one to be careful with it's instability.

    • @saxongreen78
      @saxongreen78 3 роки тому +4

      I assume his testimony wasn't in the brochure, then?

    • @jwsoaresjones1560
      @jwsoaresjones1560 3 роки тому +5

      Add the training/racing 4th and 5th wheel kit!

    • @stevethepocket
      @stevethepocket 3 роки тому +10

      Whoa whoa whoa. A cloverleaf? As in he actually drove this on the interstate?

    • @Happymali10
      @Happymali10 3 роки тому +24

      @@stevethepocket No, he went into a turn and ran over a leaf.

    • @SimuLord
      @SimuLord 2 роки тому +2

      At least Robert drove by a church, conveniently available to pray to God that you survive a trip in that vehicle.

  • @jonnda
    @jonnda 4 роки тому +477

    The shag carpet WAS the sound absorption material, and now that it's gone, what do you expect?

    • @highlypolishedturd7947
      @highlypolishedturd7947 4 роки тому +20

      Maybe the shag carpet was just too 70's for a previous owner?

    • @jonnda
      @jonnda 4 роки тому +59

      @@highlypolishedturd7947 Having had personal experience with a couple 70's British cars, I suspect that the carpet had just degraded and was nasty. But it should have been replaced, it really could help the noise level inside, especially with a little dynamat underneath.
      However, having no sound treatment would save weight... Which really matters with only 12hp or whatever it has.

    • @highlypolishedturd7947
      @highlypolishedturd7947 4 роки тому +7

      @@jonnda Yeah, you're probably right.

    • @gphilipc2031
      @gphilipc2031 4 роки тому +1

      Dynamat it.

    • @RobMacKendrick
      @RobMacKendrick 4 роки тому +4

      Shag carpet is exactly what this thing is missing.

  • @man_on_wheelz
    @man_on_wheelz 4 роки тому +512

    "The whole Go-Pro is vibrating, sorry about that" well you did a good job advertising for Go-Pro cause it clearly does an amazing job canceling out the vibrations!

    • @57thorns
      @57thorns 3 роки тому +17

      Yes, we see the car vibrating but the world is steady.

    • @Happymali10
      @Happymali10 3 роки тому +10

      That looked more like warb-stabilization done in post

  • @wimwiddershins
    @wimwiddershins 4 роки тому +98

    "This is so unsafe, let's give it more gas."
    I have an off road go-kart that has better performance and safety.

  • @jimmybarr9411
    @jimmybarr9411 4 роки тому +68

    Aging Wheels: “I don’t want one of these”
    Me: I want one of these

    • @Endfloat
      @Endfloat 3 роки тому +4

      Part of me feels this way too, but I'd have to reengineer a few things on it!

    • @dass1333
      @dass1333 2 роки тому +2

      With a good motorcycle pushing and a real stering / suspension, that could be a viable ride.

    • @cymond
      @cymond 2 роки тому +1

      I would LOVE to have one!
      I'm extremely amused by tiny, impractical cars, but I don't have the money or space to actually collect micro cars.
      I just have a AH Sprite

    • @jimmybarr9411
      @jimmybarr9411 2 роки тому +1

      @@cymond I have a 1976 MG Midget, what year is your Sprite?

    • @cymond
      @cymond 2 роки тому +1

      @@jimmybarr9411 1969
      When I was 12, Mom came home with a Sprite, just for fun. She LOVED cars. She died last year, and left me a bit of inheritance, so I decided to buy something in her memory. She was fond of American muscle, especially Camaro SS convertibles, but I never forgot that little Sprite.

  • @theowinters6314
    @theowinters6314 4 роки тому +275

    Wow, it's like someone saw a Robin Reliant and said "I wonder if I could do worse" and then somehow succeeded beyond all their hopes and dreams.

    • @boataxe4605
      @boataxe4605 4 роки тому +27

      At least it has two wheels in the front instead of the back so it won’t flip as easily.

    • @dglcomputers1498
      @dglcomputers1498 3 роки тому +13

      At least the Reliant 3 wheelers had a point as it allowed people with only a motorbike licence in the UK to be able to drive a "car", this doesn't have that advantage.

    • @roadent217
      @roadent217 3 роки тому +6

      @@dglcomputers1498
      Isn't this also technically a motorcycle?

    • @bryanjk
      @bryanjk 2 роки тому +2

      @@roadent217 he stated it was.

    • @malthuswasright
      @malthuswasright Рік тому +8

      Reliant Robin, NOT Robin Reliant. You wouldn't say Escort Ford or Golf VW...

  • @FloridaMaquis
    @FloridaMaquis 4 роки тому +652

    Did the 16hp version come with a hitch?

    • @johnbockelie3899
      @johnbockelie3899 3 роки тому +18

      Speeding fast.......Semi at your tail !!!!.

    • @johnbockelie3899
      @johnbockelie3899 3 роки тому +52

      Comes with optional wagon so you can bring the family on outings.

    • @johnbockelie3899
      @johnbockelie3899 3 роки тому +23

      The local bullies can pick it up and walk off with it.

    • @EVATVDirect
      @EVATVDirect 3 роки тому +16

      No, but I have seen people add their own hitch.

    • @greg6239
      @greg6239 3 роки тому +9

      For what purpose, my uncles 22hp lawnmower cant pull a loaded trailer

  • @Happymali10
    @Happymali10 3 роки тому +18

    I love that the owner started walking after you as soon as you started because he knew you'd kill the engine.
    Also you reused the "leaving" shot for "returning", so I assume it died again

  • @domtron8873
    @domtron8873 4 роки тому +22

    You know it's sketchy if he's laughing and coughing at the same time from pure, primal terror.

  • @thinman4648
    @thinman4648 4 роки тому +122

    That emergency brake is from a forklift 😂 lol

    • @SquishyZoran
      @SquishyZoran 4 роки тому +5

      My dad’s 03 GMC C4500 uses the exact same one too.

    • @itwontcomeout5678
      @itwontcomeout5678 4 роки тому +6

      maybe they just found a surplus stock of forklift emergency brakes and just decided they would make a fine addition to their “car” haha

    • @AiOinc1
      @AiOinc1 4 роки тому +8

      I think I'd feel safer driving the forklift

    • @zachaliles
      @zachaliles 3 роки тому

      It also looks like the same ones in HMMWV's. Except those work in the normal fashion, up = engaged.

    • @zachaliles
      @zachaliles 3 роки тому +3

      @rob witt the fact that it stops a forklift has more to do with the brakes it's engaging and less about the handle. I'm sure this vehicle doesn't have a forklift parking brake on the wheel.

  • @MichaelSteeves
    @MichaelSteeves 4 роки тому +224

    It isn't a Peel P50, but it is just about as hilarious!

    • @DeerKoden
      @DeerKoden 4 роки тому +9

      @Deon Denis or made you sweat like a pig during summertime?

    • @jonnda
      @jonnda 4 роки тому +7

      Somehow, a Peel Trident is still a better car than the HM FreeWay.

    • @trainzguy2472
      @trainzguy2472 4 роки тому +7

      The Peel actually had decent bodywork and design.

    • @twistedyogert
      @twistedyogert 4 роки тому

      @@DeerKoden Just stick your head out the window.

    • @jonnda
      @jonnda 4 роки тому +4

      Trainzguy2472 I just found out someone resumed production of the Peel P50 in 2011, and they are selling maybe 10-15 a year. That is far more then can be said about the FreeWay. Original Peels have been auctioned for insane prices, over £100k. FreeWays... $5k to $6k at best.

  • @ericssmith2014
    @ericssmith2014 3 роки тому +17

    6:44 -- you know that it's a ridiculous vehicle when even its owner stares at it with bemused concern as it trundles down the street.

  • @locutus155
    @locutus155 4 роки тому +42

    "I'm just about to lose my voice!" Says a man that's already lost control of his bowels driving this thing.

  • @large_crab
    @large_crab 4 роки тому +173

    My lawn mower has that exact same engine, I recognize the starter sound lol.

    • @mazzalnx
      @mazzalnx 4 роки тому +23

      Driving the cutting blades probably uses up to 30% of the engine's power. And I'm willing to bet it's built out of something more substantial than scrap steel tubing, so a bit of weight keeps it at safe speeds. This thing is glorious in its success... at removing anything to which you could associate the word 'safe'.

    • @greasysteve5671
      @greasysteve5671 4 роки тому +2

      Thats a lot of lifter tick

    • @helidude3502
      @helidude3502 4 роки тому +4

      Arstotzkan
      But you don’t need registration for your lawnmower, can earn gas money cutting grass during your trip , and depending on your location no dui.

    • @SquishyZoran
      @SquishyZoran 4 роки тому +1

      Did he pronounce it right? I always say Tesh-Mu and not the way he called it.

    • @SquishyZoran
      @SquishyZoran 4 роки тому +2

      Mega flame404 I’ve been saying it wrong all these years then! Not like it matters since they went belly up and liquid Combustion Technology is much easier to pronounce!

  • @Colaholiker
    @Colaholiker 4 роки тому +128

    "Mommy, this car-weirdo neughbor is driving around in a fancy lawn mower again!"

    • @philipaldrick5363
      @philipaldrick5363 4 роки тому +1

      I want one, where can I get it?

    • @vermontjeff2535
      @vermontjeff2535 4 роки тому

      That guy shouldn't drove that car . He's not man enough. He acted like a fairly

  • @youtuuba
    @youtuuba 3 роки тому +2

    I purchased, well ordered, one of these during the gas crisis. A fellow college teacher had one, and since it was parked in the college lot all day, he put a small Tupperware sandwich box on the roof full of his 'business cards' that listed him as a dealer of sorts for Freeway; the cards invited interested people to call him, and he would either meet them at the college or drive to their homes, and let them take a spin. I don't recall which engine he had in his, but the one I ordered had the largest gas engine size. When I test drove his, it handled fairly well, and I had no trouble getting it up to 55 mph on the local county highway. I don't recall having trouble keeping it going straight, or having trouble getting it up to speed. Perhaps the car in this video is worm out, or improperly maintained/adjusted or something.
    But I never did take possession of my Freeway. I had ordered it with the optional electric reverse, which I recall was just a small electric motor, connected to the same battery as the engine's starter motor, with some kind of mechanism to roll the car backwards....it was only supposed to be used for a few feet, to back out of parking spaces. But they told me that I might have to wait for a month or two while they worked out the bugs in the reverse mechanism. That time came and went, and when I tried to finally cancel my order due to the delays, I learned that they had filed for bankruptcy or something, and all down payments for undelivered cars were now voided, so I lost my money....I recall it was perhaps $500 or something like that.
    I had contacted the Illinois drivers license office, and they told me that these were considered to be cars, and that I would not need to get a motorcycle license to drive it. I vaguely recall that the one I test drove had a seat belt; maybe they were only installed in cars sold in states that required them, or in states that classified them as cars.
    I recalled asking the manufacturer if they had tested these in (simulated) accidents at highway speeds. They said no, but an early customer had run his into a bridge abutment while going faster than 50 mph, and "survived", whatever that means....he might have been near death or been dismembered or turned into a vegetable, but he "survived". I only went ahead and ordered mine for the short commute of fairly empty country highways I had to make every day. I had no plans to use it for anything longer, faster, or in any kind of inclement weather.
    Even if I had received the one I ordered, the gas crisis was over soon, and I probably would not have continued to drive it for very long. I went back to driving my Jeep CJ and my Gremlin.

  • @MaryAnnNytowl
    @MaryAnnNytowl 4 роки тому +8

    "Driving down the road in a bright yellow suppository with a lawnmower engine." Brilliant!

    • @JTA1961
      @JTA1961 Рік тому

      People might think you're a hoe~mow...

  • @hellkek2768
    @hellkek2768 4 роки тому +92

    10:28 "I'm doing thirty now and it feels very unstable." - same quote as a guy who drove a car in 1911

    • @censusgary
      @censusgary Рік тому +1

      However unsafe and underpowered the “Freeway” may seem, any car you could get in 1911 would have been much worse.

  • @anthonywebb4866
    @anthonywebb4866 4 роки тому +144

    "Don't pull out in front of me" is something I say out of irritation, you said it out of pure terror 😂

    • @miffedmax
      @miffedmax 4 роки тому +5

      I've done it a few times in my Beetle, which is a paragon of automotive excellence compared to that thing.

    • @osl5686
      @osl5686 4 роки тому

      Its a Death trap!!

  • @roadent217
    @roadent217 3 роки тому +8

    6:38 Heyyy, there's the CitiCar!

    • @ezzie3927
      @ezzie3927 3 роки тому

      You can also see the Th!nk City in another scene

    • @TheKitMurkit
      @TheKitMurkit 3 роки тому

      Just usual cars parked by the side of the road

  • @1949kf
    @1949kf 2 роки тому +5

    Had a 16 hp version back in the early to mid 1980s. They advertised it as highway capable so I bought one for commuting to work . Actually drove it on expressways. I was young and stupid believing all the brochure bullshit. The vehicle was dangerous at speeds above 40mph. I actually got it up to 60 -65 on a smooth straight stretch of Express way and lived. Sold it after putting 7000 miles on it mostly in congested rush hour traffic. The vehicle not practical and was poorly engineered. Trailer brakes in front with stamped out wavy surface drums and non centering shoes for erratic pulsating stops. Rear end assembly with wheel engine & CVT isolated from rear of vehicle with RUBBER. The vehicle would wander and follow irregularities in the road surface

  • @simon4187
    @simon4187 4 роки тому +88

    "I'm diving down the road in a bright yellow suppository with a lawnmower engine"

    • @KanawhaCountyWX
      @KanawhaCountyWX 3 роки тому

      I'm driving down the road in a bright yellow lawnmower engine with a suppository

    • @raven4k998
      @raven4k998 3 роки тому +1

      @@KanawhaCountyWX I think that's how they were able to make and sell 700 of these 700 people bought it solely for the comedy factor only cause that's the only thing that thing has going for it

  • @zaadbaad541
    @zaadbaad541 4 роки тому +170

    The first guy with a “car” in school

  • @tigerseye73
    @tigerseye73 3 роки тому +1

    The starter motor sounds more reassuring than the engine. You sir, are a brave man.

  • @hoodagooboy5981
    @hoodagooboy5981 3 роки тому +9

    This makes me feel soooo much better about my Geo Metro..... that also gets 50 MPG.

    • @SimuLord
      @SimuLord 2 роки тому +2

      Back in 2002 my then-girlfriend and I moved from Boston to Reno with all our stuff in a '99 Metro. The trip got...interesting...when we headed up the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains on I-80 in Wyoming. The car kept up a brisk walking pace.

    • @hillbilly4christ638
      @hillbilly4christ638 2 місяці тому

      Keep an eye on those front control arms. They are a weak link and will fail due to rust. I have owned two and yes they get great fuel economy.

  • @maxon1672
    @maxon1672 4 роки тому +108

    A tiny electric cheese wedge and a bright yellow suppository with a lawn mower engine - all in one week! What did we do to deserve these gifts?

    • @PapiDoesIt
      @PapiDoesIt 4 роки тому +19

      If you look closely when he leaves the parking lot you can see the cheese wedge.

    • @LEXXIUS
      @LEXXIUS 4 роки тому +8

      @@PapiDoesIt Same with the previous cheese wedge video, this "car" was parked in its spot.

    • @mockier
      @mockier 4 роки тому +2

      And yet the Cheese wedge wins, at least it has breaks that work and the slower top speed imho is an advantage

    • @gimble8638
      @gimble8638 4 роки тому

      the original car known as the cheese wedge was the bond bug from the UK which was far superior to this and 10 years earlier :)

  • @corspeman
    @corspeman 4 роки тому +175

    >Made in Minnesota
    > Has almost non-existent heater
    wat

    • @somedudeonline1936
      @somedudeonline1936 4 роки тому +8

      Connor Niess as a Minnesotan I am seriously disappointed

    • @ScottaHemi440
      @ScottaHemi440 4 роки тому +4

      @@somedudeonline1936 we made up for it with the slingshot though

    • @antblaster9k
      @antblaster9k 4 роки тому +4

      thought itd be wisconsin considering how cheese-esque it is

    • @md_vandenberg
      @md_vandenberg 4 роки тому

      @Carl Brutananadilewski "wat" is a form of slang. It's being used in a casual form, so it's not breaking any rules.
      Go be a pendant somewhere else, like reddit or 4chan.

    • @EVATVDirect
      @EVATVDirect 3 роки тому +1

      Yeah, you don't drive them in the winter here anyway. At first frost I went over a bridge and it was slick. Did a 360 at about 45 mph. Scared the bageezes out of me, so decided to turn around and go home.... Over the same bridge not thinking.... Did the same thing at 50 mph this time.
      When cold, I didn't use the heater anyway. As you can see from this video, comfort is the last thing you are thinking about.

  • @krimmer66
    @krimmer66 3 роки тому +3

    That drive looked incredibly fun!! From the back it looks pretty sweet, but I can't believe that thing was allowed on the road even for the late 70's early 80's.

  • @matthewmccarter3284
    @matthewmccarter3284 2 роки тому +5

    Considering its 40 yrs old, the fact that it runs at all is kinda impressive.

  • @tome8373
    @tome8373 4 роки тому +60

    Doug Demuro showed us this guy last year with the trabant. This has been my favorite channel ever since.

    • @Studio23Media
      @Studio23Media 4 роки тому +1

      Thomas Medlin I'm pretty sure that's where I found Robert too. He's grown so much since then.

    • @user-74652
      @user-74652 4 роки тому

      I feel like he has now basically become what Doug Demuro used to be before he changed direction to his current format.

    • @jackielinde7568
      @jackielinde7568 4 роки тому +1

      Funny, but my first introduction to this guy was on VINWiki.

    • @highlypolishedturd7947
      @highlypolishedturd7947 4 роки тому +2

      Me too, I found this on the Demuro/Trabant video, and I've been hooked ever since. I love his witty comments.

    • @tome8373
      @tome8373 4 роки тому +1

      He’s extremely real about how terrible they are and makes fun of them. It’s a terrible car and we all know it but his witty comments drive it home

  • @davidhealdjr.513
    @davidhealdjr.513 4 роки тому +104

    I kept thinking “I wonder who uploaded this for him after he died in that thing.”

  • @MelancoliaI
    @MelancoliaI 4 роки тому +6

    Watching him attempt to negotiate actual roads in that thing was enough stress for today.

  • @LongPeter
    @LongPeter 3 роки тому +2

    “I didn’t have the fuel pump on.”
    A trouble known to vintage Land Rover owners. Although in that case, it is that the switch was in the position for fuel pump 1 which burned out in 1986. Fortunately, British Leyland new this would happen, so installed 2.

  • @henryrodgers7386
    @henryrodgers7386 4 роки тому +36

    "A silly little microcar with three wheels, and no hope."
    Why must you always say these things right as I'm taking a drink of coffee?

  • @Wanking_wanker
    @Wanking_wanker 4 роки тому +85

    “Ok now this is getting silly”
    You know it’s bad when he says it

    • @highlypolishedturd7947
      @highlypolishedturd7947 4 роки тому +6

      And near the end of the video, he says he doesn't want one. You REALLY know it's bad when he says THAT!

    • @vermontjeff2535
      @vermontjeff2535 4 роки тому

      I don't know, 50 miles per gallon? To drove around the neighborhood. I think the guy that drove it way a scared wimp that when he's at a golf course he complains about.. you know there's no seat belts in the golf cart

  • @djbazinet8758
    @djbazinet8758 3 роки тому +3

    I absolutely love when he calls small cars “suppositories”

  • @SitriUvali
    @SitriUvali 2 роки тому

    Bright yellow suppository with a lawn mower engine...what a description! I love it!

  • @Saberjet1950
    @Saberjet1950 4 роки тому +26

    i love how far back the pickup is, like hes expecting you to disintegrate in front of him

  • @gavinendsley
    @gavinendsley 4 роки тому +59

    13:00
    I see the cheese wedge in the distance there.

    • @dogfightdixon4415
      @dogfightdixon4415 4 роки тому +2

      Simone?

    • @LeeDee5
      @LeeDee5 4 роки тому +2

      ...which is the last thing everyone sees before they die.

    • @uselessDM
      @uselessDM 4 роки тому +1

      You also see it when he first starts driving and leaves the parking space.

    • @romeoerzhaler7614
      @romeoerzhaler7614 4 роки тому

      And 6:36

  • @AmazingJeeves
    @AmazingJeeves 3 роки тому +3

    When you hit 30 miles an hour in this thing, I expected the nose to start glowing red like a space shuttle on reentry. 🤣

  • @arschkopp
    @arschkopp 4 роки тому +45

    wow... the Trabant seems like a good car, suddenly :D

    • @tibbydudeza
      @tibbydudeza 4 роки тому +4

      It is a Toyota compared to these things.

  • @mysock351C
    @mysock351C 4 роки тому +198

    That's an interesting hobby that guy has: Owning the worst cars ever made.

    • @johnbasterson7938
      @johnbasterson7938 4 роки тому +9

      He doesn't own them.

    • @benjaminmiddaugh2729
      @benjaminmiddaugh2729 4 роки тому +22

      @@johnbasterson7938 The original commenter might not have been referring to who you think they were.

    • @RockyFoxxowo
      @RockyFoxxowo 3 роки тому +3

      So they own this, the cheese wedge and the th!nk

    • @rslover65
      @rslover65 3 роки тому +1

      I mean, there's mopar fan groups.....

  • @HSMiyamoto
    @HSMiyamoto 3 роки тому +1

    I grew up in Minneapolis -- I remember when this car came out. I think I saw someone promoting it in the old Brookdale Mall. I have not seen one in 40 years.

  • @ByronWatts
    @ByronWatts 2 роки тому +6

    I seriously considered building one of the three wheel vehicles that was (I think) featured in a popular mechanics like publication at the time. It was called the Tri-muter if I recall correctly. I might still have the plans out in storage. With more recent improvements in electric technology, it might be fun to consider ... at least in concept :-)

    • @1968CudaGuy
      @1968CudaGuy Рік тому +1

      In 1982 or 83 Popular Mechanics did an exclusive on the Tri-Magnum which was a motorcycle backend and drive system subframed to a Volkswagen Beetle/Type 1 front end. Very stylish and ahead of its time.

  • @JimFortune
    @JimFortune 4 роки тому +57

    Why does it look like you're doing 180 mph?

    • @Banom7a
      @Banom7a 4 роки тому +7

      probably in heaven already at that point

  • @ThePavotrouge
    @ThePavotrouge 4 роки тому +24

    Thank you for risking your life for our amusement. Really good!!

  • @martinjohnson9316
    @martinjohnson9316 3 роки тому +2

    Thanks for the hilarious video. In the 60'-70's in the UK we had the fibreglass Reliant Robin if you could'nt afford a car...but it was very capable especially on fuel and
    you could jump straight into it on a motorcycle licence. Being one wheel forward/two wheels back it could be very hairy on quick bends!

  • @josefmechanic
    @josefmechanic Рік тому +1

    This reminds me of driving my first go kart no brakes, lawnmower tires up front, chain keeps hopping , randomly dies, absolutely terrifying, fun af

  • @Gimpythekid
    @Gimpythekid 4 роки тому +20

    gotta give some credit to the owners for keeping these deathtraps running against all odds

  • @explosive_shart9405
    @explosive_shart9405 4 роки тому +74

    Now imagine if that was rebuilt in 2019 and just had a motorcycle engine instead of a lawn mower engine

    • @AgentTasmania
      @AgentTasmania 2 роки тому +19

      *press throttle*
      *Drive wheel launches out roof*

    • @52ownsyou
      @52ownsyou 2 роки тому +1

      I know of one that had been converted but the guy pulled it all to put it back in the motorcycle frame.

    • @karvast5726
      @karvast5726 2 роки тому +6

      Perhaps the fact it only goes to 30mph is a safety feature

    • @netts2315
      @netts2315 Рік тому +1

      @@karvast5726 Its max speed is supposedly 50mph, which I find hard to believe lol.

    • @karvast5726
      @karvast5726 Рік тому

      @@netts2315 maybe with a sail with the wind behîd you,going downhill,sending the piston to mars with nitro…perhaps

  • @benjaminbutcher
    @benjaminbutcher 2 місяці тому

    Okay. I’ve been working my way through the catalog, and this video really stands out.
    Not only is this the first time I was genuinely concerned for his safety?
    This is also the first time I’ve EVER seen him survive a clown car/medieval torture device and NOT immediately express a deep desire to own it.

  • @rolls_8798
    @rolls_8798 2 роки тому +1

    tbh that was a pretty looking thing, and that shot of it pulling away was pretty dope

  • @tangydiesel1886
    @tangydiesel1886 4 роки тому +141

    Wants to be efficient, uses terribly inefficient lawn mower engine.

    • @OffGridInvestor
      @OffGridInvestor 4 роки тому +26

      Typical of a "high mileage" cheapskate machine. It's either a lawnmower engine or a super common motorcycle engine.

    • @timweber4318
      @timweber4318 4 роки тому +11

      The P50 was made out of metal and somewhat """" well"""" built. Like not good but the body works as a body

    • @funposting8912
      @funposting8912 4 роки тому +40

      I’m surprised the yanks didn’t just try importing shitloads of Japanese kei-cars. They basically had this shit sorted in the 50’s

    • @GlamStacheessnostalgialounge
      @GlamStacheessnostalgialounge 4 роки тому +22

      +Velleity
      Even "full size" european cars from the 60's and 70's got about 50 MPG with tiny but not terrible 1.0 or 1.1 engines, and could still reach highway speeds.

    • @marsrover001
      @marsrover001 4 роки тому +1

      @@funposting8912 much like modern times, you have to wait 25 years before importing jdm cars.

  • @djambrosia
    @djambrosia 4 роки тому +11

    My neighbor always say's 'hope you make it back' when I go out in the bug.
    I would love to see his face rolling this out the driveway!

  • @wrofiir9697
    @wrofiir9697 3 роки тому +1

    I hope you keep finding bizarre shit like this, because I love these videos. I go on rewatch sprees every couple months cause they are just so unique and awful

  • @XxarnyxXx
    @XxarnyxXx 4 роки тому

    You don't know how much joy you bring me with these silly little cars!

  • @anew742
    @anew742 4 роки тому +13

    I saw this in the background of the CitiCar video and am so glad you're covering this majestic beast of a vehicle

  • @Jamal_Tyrone
    @Jamal_Tyrone 4 роки тому +75

    Having 2 wheels on the front is more stable than having one wheel at the front and 2 at the back, see the Reliant Robin!

    • @TheRealNormanBates
      @TheRealNormanBates 4 роки тому +4

      Jamal Tyrone oh yesss... I remember those TOP GEAR episodes.
      Didn’t they make a “space shuttle” out of a Robin?

    • @johnbasterson7938
      @johnbasterson7938 4 роки тому

      Yeah I'm sure. That's why all the best and fastest race cars are 3 wheel.......oh wait.......

    • @shredder_mang3211
      @shredder_mang3211 4 роки тому

      Jamal Tyrone yeah kinda common sense

    • @cleatrampler
      @cleatrampler 4 роки тому +3

      Ask Mr bean.

    • @CommanderMouse72
      @CommanderMouse72 4 роки тому +1

      The Robin only tips cause the driver is out of the base of support (2 seater) it would be far more stable with 2 people of equal weight in the front, this 1 seater would be way more stable

  • @buddy8225
    @buddy8225 3 роки тому

    That car is the coolest looking thing and you were having so much fun driving it. Thanks for sharing. 😀

  • @Travatain
    @Travatain Рік тому

    It reminds me of the Bond 3 wheeler that we had in the UK. I used to think that was the worst car I had ever seen - until I watched you drive the Freeway! Thanks for an amusing video.

  • @KlueBat
    @KlueBat 4 роки тому +43

    Oh man! I laughed so hard at your potentially mortal peril. Great vid Robert. Keep them coming.

  • @lorenzbeumers1601
    @lorenzbeumers1601 4 роки тому +52

    Why didnt they call it a threeway
    Oh i see

    • @evibes512
      @evibes512 4 роки тому +5

      Or perhaps Driveway, where it lives when it isn't running and full of rain water. :)

    • @writerconsidered
      @writerconsidered 4 роки тому

      @@evibes512 Jeff you didn't see it yet.

    • @tiki_trash
      @tiki_trash 4 роки тому +1

      You have to go strictly solo in that thing.

  • @jonathonfreeman9233
    @jonathonfreeman9233 4 роки тому +3

    This thing looks like a "car of the future" you'd see at a family owned amusement park's kiddie ride section.

  • @DahVoozel
    @DahVoozel 4 роки тому +6

    A car... and I use that term loosely... that could be flattened by the "shockwave" from a truck passing it....

    • @saxongreen78
      @saxongreen78 3 роки тому

      There was a bloke my Nan knew who was riding a Lambretta when he attempted to pass a semi on the highway...the slipstream sucked him under the wheels of the trailer to his doom. 😨

    • @possibly8180
      @possibly8180 3 роки тому +1

      @@saxongreen78 damn fr tho

  • @2stroketurbo
    @2stroketurbo 4 роки тому +36

    This video made me laugh, more than once. I can so relate as I happen to own a bright orange HMV ,

  • @randomnonsense_1
    @randomnonsense_1 4 роки тому +27

    I really enjoyed watching you work on your Trabant, but holy crap, these "car" reviews are the best thing ever. I'm glad you are back to putting out videos.

  • @NavigatedChaos
    @NavigatedChaos 2 роки тому +1

    It's beautiful. This would 100% become my daily driver.

  • @PACOSBBQ
    @PACOSBBQ Рік тому +1

    Hello. I owned a freeway flyer in 2000, I paid 1500 bucks for the thing. Got it running and discovered that I needed to rebuild the torque converter drive system and also the rear swing arm. I bought it for my girlfriend to drive to work at Kennedy space center as cheap way to work. It was a hit as far as appearance. She was getting 90mpg on the drives but was very slow, and scary at high speeds. I had it up to 63 mph but was very lose in 😢he steering at that speed. The girlfriend ended up rolling it in front of the vehicle assembly building at the cape. I sold it after that. But still doubled my money on the sale.

  • @oxulucozcan4923
    @oxulucozcan4923 4 роки тому +4

    that guy has a hell of a collection by having just citicar and freeway. thanks to him for letting you test these

  • @DeLiriuMfk
    @DeLiriuMfk 4 роки тому +45

    Initially I though you re-posted the same video :D

  • @Novalightningwolf
    @Novalightningwolf 3 роки тому +1

    Haha, when he started that car it sounded exactly like my old sears ST12 lawn tractor, probably the same Tecumseh engine.

  • @stevenschwartzhoff1703
    @stevenschwartzhoff1703 3 роки тому

    I hate cars, but your channel makes me love the history of excentric vehicles. No excessive technical babble and a real explanation of the culture which built these. In this viseo, I did miss of there were multiple gears and if the transmission is manual or automatic, maybe I was not listening. But great job!

  • @stewartellinson8846
    @stewartellinson8846 4 роки тому +6

    That really did make me laugh . The owner is clearly one of the world's great eccentrics and i think you're denying your desire for a plastic lawnmower powered monstrosity. Brilliant!

  • @stevethepocket
    @stevethepocket 4 роки тому +15

    The HM-Vehicles Freeway. For when you're in the middle of a fuel crisis but would literally rather die than buy an import.

    • @lightdark00
      @lightdark00 4 роки тому +2

      Bless those true patriots!

  • @A57-0mona
    @A57-0mona 10 місяців тому +1

    "This whole thing was build from the ground up by HM vehicles who have never made a car before"
    Now it all makes sense.

  • @kruger2878
    @kruger2878 2 роки тому

    I really love your videos. I find myself binging them a lot especially the weird electric or super tiny vehicles. I really like the pacing and shot style in the videos, reminds me of Public Access TV from when I was younger I mean that as a compliment!

  • @philipdubuque9596
    @philipdubuque9596 4 роки тому +9

    Just when I foolishly assumed that your 'bottom feeding' automotive interests couldn't sink any lower than the (good grief) Trabant, or the (shudder) Wheego you have come through for your loyal fans yet again. Well done Robert!

  • @jackhalley5562
    @jackhalley5562 4 роки тому +76

    Me: Mom, I want Polaris Slingshot
    Mom: We have Polaris Slingshot at home
    *Slingshot at home*

  • @llanorick
    @llanorick 4 роки тому

    I half expected the thing to disintegrate after hitting a bump, leaving you in a pile of yellow debris, sitting on the seat. Holding the steering wheel!🤣

  • @MinuteBracelet
    @MinuteBracelet 4 роки тому +6

    6:36 THE CHEESE WEDGE!

  • @samrosenthal2111
    @samrosenthal2111 4 роки тому +24

    "Hand-built quality"

  • @Fishsticks187
    @Fishsticks187 4 роки тому +14

    "The steering is quite ponderous, OH MY GOD!"

  • @delhoghe
    @delhoghe 4 роки тому +1

    I actually considered buying one of those in 1982. I sent a letter ( no internet back then ) to HM asking for information. They sent me a brochure with some specs and pricing information. If I remember correctly it was capable of getting 70 MPG and had a top speed of 55 MPH. The price was around $ 6000. I saw one in Henry County Ohio around 1983. It looked pretty cool to me.

  • @acalthu
    @acalthu 3 роки тому +1

    That Yukon behind you kept it's distance. Was probably afraid of running you over.