wheaters
Elio Addict
For the information of those of a less angry disposition who are prepared to accept an alternative view, a three wheeled version was made for the UK market. This came about because of the peculiar driver licensing laws. A small three wheeled car came under the same classification as a motorcycle and sidecar, which could be driven on a provisional motorcycle licence for an indefinite period.
The one proviso was that such a vehicle was not allowed to be fitted with a reverse gear (nor could a motorcycle and sidecar). If one was fitted during manufacture, it had to be blanked off so it could not be engaged. Some UK purchasers of Russian built Ural and Dnepr outfits, imported in the early 1970s, which had a reverse gear, fell foul of knowledgable traffic policemen. It was not uncommon for provisional licensed drivers of three wheelers showing mandatory L plates to be pulled over for a vehicle check precisely for this reason.
The one proviso was that such a vehicle was not allowed to be fitted with a reverse gear (nor could a motorcycle and sidecar). If one was fitted during manufacture, it had to be blanked off so it could not be engaged. Some UK purchasers of Russian built Ural and Dnepr outfits, imported in the early 1970s, which had a reverse gear, fell foul of knowledgable traffic policemen. It was not uncommon for provisional licensed drivers of three wheelers showing mandatory L plates to be pulled over for a vehicle check precisely for this reason.