Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site lipman.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!ttidca!lipman!derrell From: derrell@lipman.UUCP (derrell) Newsgroups: net.auto,net.auto.tech Subject: Re: Unusual car spotted in Texas (diamond wheel layout) Message-ID: <116@lipman.UUCP> Date: Sun, 16-Feb-86 19:09:31 EST Article-I.D.: lipman.116 Posted: Sun Feb 16 19:09:31 1986 Date-Received: Wed, 19-Feb-86 20:01:09 EST References: <147@bu-cs.UUCP> <996@unmvax.UUCP> <248@hadron.UUCP> <512@eneevax.UUCP> <262@hadron.UUCP> Lines: 117 Xref: linus net.auto:8521 net.auto.tech:799 After this rehash is a *different* diamond-wheel-layout vehicle description. > In article <512@eneevax.UUCP> hsu@eneevax.UUCP (Dave Hsu) writes: > >In article <248@hadron.UUCP> klr@hadron.UUCP (Kurt L. Reisler) writes: > >> > >> That was a PROBE, and it comes in Kowasaki and Honda engine > >> flavors. Saw 2 at the DC car show a few weeks ago. My son > >> snarfed some material on it. Will post when I find it. > >> > >> Kurt > > > >Sorry for not responding sooner, but I was thrown off by the `diamond-wheel' > >subject line. So, I just now re-read the original article. > > > >You said it looks like a BD-5 aircraft? Well, I'm afraid I don't know what > >a BD-5 looks like, but by an incredible coincidence (?) BD manufactured such > >a car (basically a seated motorcycle with outriggers) some three or four years > >ago. I know; there were TWO of them pottering around DC for some time. I > >got a close-up look at one of them way back when, as it was parked in front > >of the Smithsonian `Castle'. But you said it has a flip-up cockpit bubble? > >Hmmm...the BD ground vehicle's cockpit bubble slid forwards... > > > >Around that time, there was a review of it done in Popular Science...I'll > >try to find the issue date. > > > > Well my original response was not that far off. The following is from the > technical spec sheet on the PULSE (not PROBE), that my son picked up at > the DC Auto Show a few weeks ago. They had 2 of them there. > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > 1985 Technical Data: PULSE GCRV > > Body Impact resistant fiberglass > Seats Two passenger (1 adjustable front, 1 rear) with seatbelts > Frame Steel tubing > Windshield Saftey Glass with wiper > Canopy Tinted glass with lock and adjustable positions > Engine Motorcycle engine > Transmission Manual, 6 speed [ does that mean reverse? - klr ] > Brakes Disc, front and rear > Tires Radial > Instruments Speedometer, turn signal indicators, high and low beam > indicator, fuel gauge, volt meter and tachometer. > Also Built-in rollbar, twin headlights (high and low beam), > turn signals front ans rear, taillight, brake light, > illuminated license plate housing [it's under glass - klr], > horn, and 2 mirrors. > Dimensions Length 194", Width 76", Height 54", Wheel Base 123" > Fuel Economy 70+ Miles per gallon > Empty Weight 1050 pounds > Options Deluxe interiors, Super-Soundproofing [sic], AM/FM cassette > stereo with CB, radar [huh?], clock, heater, defogger, reverse > gear [as an option?], tow-bar, trailer hitch and > much more ! > Cost [NOT ON THIS NETWORK! Call the number that follows - klr] > > Engines Yamaha 400cc YICS > HONDA 500cc V4 > > Manufactured by the OMCC > Owosso Motor Car Company > 301-757-5374 (Richard Kline) > > All standard disclaimers apply. This is not an ad or an endorsement. > This is just a detailed answer to a question. - klr > > Oh yes, it looks more like a rocket on wheels than a BD5j > > Kurt Reisler At the Los Angeles auto show, I saw another diamond-wheel vehicle. It was called LITESTAR and is available now (according to what I was told at the show, from: Earthship Enterprises 1615 University Ave. San Diego, CA 92103 (916) 260-1999 According to the LITESTAR brochure, "The LITESTAR was designed by the world renowned aeronautical engineer James R. Bede. He began his career as a performance Engineer for North American Aviation, and was instrumental in the development of the F4J and the A3J jet aircraft. In 1961, Bede established Bede Aviation and produced the popular BD series jets. NASA and the U.S. Air Force use these jets as a proficency measurement criteria and Albert R. Brocolli chose the BD jet for use in the recent James Bond film, OCTOPUSSY. Since 1979 Bede has been involved in high mileage ground vehicles. This research has culminated in the LITESTAR, the ultimate commuter vehicle." The following specifications are given: Model 700: Length -- 194" Width -- 76" Height -- 54" Carry Load -- Two passengers and luggage [luggage is stored behind the rear passenger] Empty weight -- 820 Lbs. Drag Coefficent -- .092 Engine -- 700cc V twin liquid cooled shaft drive Brakes -- Double disc front / drum rear Transmission -- 5 speed with overdrive 6th and reverse Acceleration 0-55 -- 6.7 seconds Maximum speed -- 140+ mph Fuel Economy -- 75 mpg (your actual mileage may vary) Fuel Capacity -- 5 gallons Base Price -- [I guess I'm not supposed to put in the price on this network, so the above address/phone number may be used to contact these guys] All standard disclaimers apply. This is not an ad or an endorsement. This is just a response to a question.