I’ve been saving up for months for one of those Corbin Merlins, so fellow StreetTechers hopefully understand my disappointment and forgive these posts about vehicles rather than the usual latest iPod knock-off. Anywho, with Corbin Motors out of the picture, I’ve got to find a new object of desire, and have come up with two alternatives; one high-budget, the other low.
The first is the canadian-made Campagna T-Rex. This two-seat three-wheeler claims 0-60 times of around 4 seconds and a top speed of 140 mph using a 1200 cc DOHC in-line four pushing 6 gears (plus reverse), with stopping power supplied by three disc brakes. It’s got double wishbone suspension in the front and motorcycle-like swingarm in the back. The sleek fiberglass shell can be modified to hold a windshield, which may not be shipped to the United States because of the way the US defines “car.” But before you get your hopes up, this is no $19,000 funmobile like the Merlin — this one will cost you upwards of $42,000 before adding luggage options. I’d rather have a Boxster or a ‘busa.
The second option is much cheaper — in fact, it comes in the form of a DIY called the IndyCycle. This trike is one of the most beautiful home-built projects I’ve ever seen, and the website shows you just how to do it. If that project is too much for your limited fiberglassing skills, check out IndyCycleOnline which is a company that had the nerve to steal the name from original IndyCycle designer DuRette, and now offers kits from $3000 to $7000 to convert your old (or new) motorcycle into an Indy machine. Check out the review of that cycle at Car and Driver.