The Tri-Magnum 3-wheeler
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| The R.Q. Riley Tri-Magnum prototype. |
R.Q. Riley created a whole line of cars in the early 70's which were sold in the form of plans and instructions that a builder would use to fabricate the car from scratch. They were periodically featured in the magazine Mechanix Illustrated and were renowned for their ingenious construction.
All of them were made from off the shelf parts (mostly VW) and urethane foam / fiberglass sandwich bodies. One of the most popular and recognizable of these cars was the Tri-magnum. This car was, in fact, so popular that other companies got license to offer the car as a complete kit. Plans are still available on R.Q. Riley's website. (Link at the end)
The Tri-Magnum was a swoopy, futuristic 3-wheeler based on a motorcycle drivetrain ( of the builder's choice ) and a VW front suspension. Kit versions came with the complete body and a tubular steel frame. If built from plans the frame had to be fabricated by the owner. Braking was handled by VW drum ( front ) and disc brakes from the motorcycle donor at the rear. Steering was accomplished using the VW bug steering box.
Since most motorcycles don't have a reverse gear an electric motor was used to facilitate backing up. The car featured a wild flip-up canopy and pop-up headlights.
R.Q. Riley's plans were a constant lure to the "Do it yourselfers" of the 80's. They were quite possibly ultimate shade tree mechanic's project of the era.
Photo Credits:
R.Q. Riley Enterprises
Uncommon Motors
Mechanix Illustrated
https://rqriley.com/product/tri-magnuml-excitement-on-thee-wheel/
All of them were made from off the shelf parts (mostly VW) and urethane foam / fiberglass sandwich bodies. One of the most popular and recognizable of these cars was the Tri-magnum. This car was, in fact, so popular that other companies got license to offer the car as a complete kit. Plans are still available on R.Q. Riley's website. (Link at the end)
The Tri-Magnum was a swoopy, futuristic 3-wheeler based on a motorcycle drivetrain ( of the builder's choice ) and a VW front suspension. Kit versions came with the complete body and a tubular steel frame. If built from plans the frame had to be fabricated by the owner. Braking was handled by VW drum ( front ) and disc brakes from the motorcycle donor at the rear. Steering was accomplished using the VW bug steering box.
Since most motorcycles don't have a reverse gear an electric motor was used to facilitate backing up. The car featured a wild flip-up canopy and pop-up headlights.
R.Q. Riley's plans were a constant lure to the "Do it yourselfers" of the 80's. They were quite possibly ultimate shade tree mechanic's project of the era.
Photo Credits:
R.Q. Riley Enterprises
Uncommon Motors
Mechanix Illustrated
https://rqriley.com/product/tri-magnuml-excitement-on-thee-wheel/
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| The R.Q. Riley Tri-Magnum prototype. |
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| The R.Q. Riley Tri-Magnum prototype. |
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| The R.Q. Riley Tri-Magnum prototype interior. |
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| The R.Q. Riley Tri-Magnum prototype. |
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| The R.Q. Riley Tri-Magnum. |
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| A custom R.Q. Riley Tri-Magnum with gullwing doors. |
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| The build process of the R.Q. Riley Tri-Magnum involved plywood formers, sheets, and foam all carved to shape and then coated in hand laid fiberglass. An ingenious and straightforward approach to a "one-off" body. Formers shown here on a rail chassis. |
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| Building the body: laying plywood, foam on the wooden formers |
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| Adding Styrofoam |
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| Cutting out the windows |
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| Laying up the fiberglass |
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| The body shaped and sanded |
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| Plan-views of the Tri-Magnum |
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| very customized R.Q. Riley Tri-Magnum with gull-wing doors and custom front and rear facias. |
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| very customized R.Q. Riley Tri-Magnum with gull-wing doors. |
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| A very custom Tri-Magnum with an air-scoop on the roof and an open top "roadster" treatment. |
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| A very custom Tri-Magnum with an air-scoop on the roof and an open top "roadster". |
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