There were lots of weird things that happened in the automotive world of the 1970s. Because of the oil crisis there were lots of ventures that popped up building hyper fuel efficient cars. Many of these things were dead before they actually got past the prototype stage and the ones that actually did produce “cars” churned out bizarre looking stuff that no one wanted. The technology wasn’t there for lots of people to bring ideas (that were fundamentally sound) to life like they wanted. But, as in everything in life there are exceptions to the rule. One of those exceptions was a small California company producing a three wheeled vehicle called the TriVette. With three wheels and the styling of a lawn dart, the vehicle could seat two people, got a claimed 65mpg on the highway using a little Fiat engine, and were actually produced in limited volume. We could not locate specific production numbers, but safe it is to say that the highways were not clogged with TriVettes in the 1970s.
The TriVette was designed to be a one passenger car for most of the time. Yes there is a rear seat but unless you had really small friends or people you didn’t like, it was unoccupied most of the time. Heat and air conditioning were options. As you will see in the photos below, the thing looks really neat. At first we were kind of laughing at it but when you actually take the time to look at it, the TriVette is oddly appealing. The rounded rear fenders are in stark contrast to the angular nose and the slot mags are pretty sweet and totally right for something of this era as well. TriVettes were registered as motorcycles in California and probably everywhere else. The engine is a water cooled four banger that would have been normally found in a Fiat 850. Horsepower? Not a lot, but this is a pretty light package. There were turbocharged versions of these either planned or built using a different engine combo and the company was apparently into the idea that those things would run 10s in the quarter mile. True or not, it is being claimed that with the short gearing and turbo power it would yank the front wheel off the ground on the launch. Who knows but it sure sounds fun, right?
This 1976 TriVette seems to be in immaculate condition and hopefully it goes to someone who will either use it or at least show it off. In the grand scheme of weirdo 1970s “high mileage” cars, this is one of the coolest ones we have ever seen. Normally things with three wheels repulse us, but not the TriVette. We want a ride!
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE PHOTOS OF THIS NICE LOOKING 1976 TRIVETTE AND THE LINK TO THE EBAY AD WITH ALL THE PHOTOS AND INFO –
Cool car but…must have missed the windshield wiper. The Dutch “Carver” makes much more sense. A “pipe dream” company calling themselves PERSU bought the US rights to build them here but so far…nada. Too bad. I’d love to park the Harley for a roof, heat, air…ahhhh! 🙂
The concept is really cool, and at first I didn’t buy the styling until I realized that the modern-day contemporary of this is the Can-Am Spyder, which looks like debris from the set of The Fifth Element. The Tri-Vette definitely looks better.
I would say it’s closer to the DeltaWing than the CanAm Spyder
Looks like a cross between a Bond Bug and a Corbin Sparrow.
Looks like the guy who designed the Gremlin dropped acid. It’s just so wrong that it’s right.
Usually a big block, turbo, or blower (or combination) can “fix” most cars, but this one is beyond help IMO. I have always been fond of the tri-magnums from the same era though.
This design makes so much more sense than the idiotic new aged Can-Am which IMO is made for guys who can’t ride well enough to acquire a motorcycle license. The Trivette earns my respect!