HM Vehicles Free-way
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| Manufacturer | H-M-Vehicles Inc. |
|---|---|
| Production | 1979–1982 |
| Assembly | Burnsville, Minnesota |
| Class | microcar |
| Body style | coupe |
| Layout | RMR layout |
| Engine | Tecumseh single-cylinder engine *12 hp model: 345 cc (21.1 cu in) *16 hp model: 453 cc (27.6 cu in)[1][2] permanent magnet DC motor, 4 hp[3] |
| Transmission | CVT, no reverse gear |
| Length | 115 in (292 cm)[3][4] |
| Width | 53 in (135 cm)[3][4] |
| Height | 51 in (130 cm)[3][4] |
| Curb weight | gasoline: 700 lb (318 kg)[4] electric: 900 lb (408 kg)[5] |
| Related | D&A Minikin [2] |
| Designer | Dave Edmonson |
The H-M-Vehicles Free-Way was a three-wheel microcar manufactured in Burnsville, Minnesota, from 1979 to 1982. [2]
These small commuter cars had a single seat and were powered by a 12 or 16 horsepower gasoline engine[1] or a 4 hp electric motor.[3] A diesel engine was offered,[1][3] but none were ordered with it.[1]
The 12 HP version was guaranteed to get 100 mpg-US (2.4 L/100 km; 120 mpg-imp)[1][3] when driven at a steady 40 mph (64 km/h).[1] The 12 HP version averaged 80 mpg-US (2.9 L/100 km; 96 mpg-imp), and the larger 16 hp averaged 60 mpg-US (3.9 L/100 km; 72 mpg-imp) to 70 mpg-US (3.4 L/100 km; 84 mpg-imp).[citation needed] The standard fuel tank had a capacity of 3 US gallons (11 L)[3][6] while a 9 US gallons (34 L) tank was optional.[3]
The engine (or motor) was mounted behind the driver and was coupled to a snowmobile-style CVT belt drive transmission. The gasoline-powered Free-Way did not have a reverse gear in its transmission.[1][3] An electrically powered reverse drive was offered as an option,[1][3] but was never made available.[1]
The Free-Way had a welded tubular steel frame, with a secondary perimeter frame at bumper height to protect the driver from impacts. Suspension was fully independent, with two wheels in front and a single chain driven wheel in the rear. The fully enclosed two-piece fiberglass body was approximately 0.125 inches (3.2 mm) thick and had the colour molded into the material and was available in high-visibility red, yellow, or orange.[3] The lower body included a full undertray to reduce the drag coefficient of the vehicle.[3][6]
The Free-Way had a single headlight and per federal standards were intended to be licensed as motorcycles but in some states they were titled as cars. [7]
About 700 Free-Ways were sold before the company closed in June 1982.[8]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "High Mileage Vehicles - A New Technology: Page 6". Clubs.hemmings.com. http://clubs.hemmings.com/frameset.cfm?club=hmvfreeway. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
- ^ a b c "HM Vehicles Freeway". 3-Wheelers.com. http://www.3wheelers.com/freeway.html. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Frey, Peter (December 1979). Dianna, John. ed. "Driving Impression - "Free-Way" Commuter". Motor Trend (Los Angeles, CA 90069 USA: Petersen Publishing) 31 (12): 44–45. ISSN 0027-2094.
- ^ a b c d "Leo's Garage: Free-Way Maintenance". Leostoys.com. http://www.leostoys.com/freeway_maintenance.shtml. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
- ^ "Tim Medeck's 1981 H-M Vehicles Freeway". Evalbum.com. 2004-03-16. http://www.evalbum.com/504. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
- ^ a b "High Mileage Vehicles - A New Technology: Page 5". Clubs.hemmings.com. http://clubs.hemmings.com/frameset.cfm?club=hmvfreeway. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
- ^ "The Freeway Newsletter Vol. 1 No. 5, June 1981" (PDF). http://www.leostoys.com/documents/freeway/1_5_jun_1981.pdf. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
- ^ "High Mileage Vehicles - A New Technology: Page 9". Clubs.hemmings.com. http://clubs.hemmings.com/frameset.cfm?club=hmvfreeway. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
