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1980 Freeway HMV The answer to the 70's oil embargo 100 MPG


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Guest Davethewave
Posted

I would understand if this thread is pulled for showing such a recent vehicle.

The Freeway was a production vehicle with about 700 produced. freewayhmv : The HMV Free-way is a 3 wheel car built in the early 80s. HMV Freeway three wheeled three wheel

This link will answer most questions.

Mine is a 1980 with the 16hp Tecumseh engine. A fiberglass body over a square tube frame. Some options were a oil cooler/ cabin heater. Sunroof, deluxe interior which meant carpeting on all exposed surfaces. The could be ordered as an electric. Very scary considering you would sit on some of the batteries and these little vehicles are known for flipping over!! One was produced with a diesel engine. I do not know what make or size. And than the gas versions.

I bought mine with the intention of making a major custom. I bought this one sight unseen. I noticed the door hinge was different than all of the rest. Also my gas tank was different. Investigating I found the Freeway had a history of being electric, than diesel than gas. I have no written documentation. Looking at archive pictures my door hinge is on the prototype. I believe that the stories are true. With that in mind I decided to leave basic configuration stock.

Still I need to enjoy what I am doing and have decided on mild changes for comfort and drive-ability. While trying to remain true to the stock design.

The cars (motorcycles) in Illinois can tip over. For Fathers day young Son took the Freeway out for a joy ride. We live in a rural area with gravel roads. I realized there was a delay in his return. Finally he shows up and the Women are hovering around him. Finally I go and inspect. His arm had a nice case of road rash. He was tring to do "donuts" in the gravel but the tire caught the pavement. And it flipped over. I had windows out so his arm caught the gravel. Luckily no damage done to either him or the Freeway. To get even I took his 1972 Camaro out and did burn outs!! LOL

So now I have the body off, stripping down to gell coat. Will properly repair any damage. Frame, and most other components are in excellent condition only needing cleaning. I will add a steering kit to improve safety and handling, better lights and some creature comforts.

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Guest Davethewave
Posted
Here is a fun video of my last Freeway .
Guest Davethewave
Posted
Was the beer a cause of the resulting shenanigans?

[ATTACH=CONFIG]166472[/ATTACH]

LOL The beer was the cure not the cause.
Guest Davethewave
Posted

It is fun working on such a small vehicle. I think the square inches of entire Freeway equal to one qtr panel on my old 64 caddy!!

I bit more sanding, than a nice couple of coats of SPI epoxy. The epoxy should take care of any loose hairs and minor cracks in the glass.

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  • 4 weeks later...
Guest Davethewave
Posted

Sons came home to visit. Christmas gifts were to help in garage. I decided "play" time was in order. The little Freeway needed more glass repair and than lots more sanding. Maybe I am too picky. Today I was able to shoot a coat of sealer epoxy. This project can now sit for a while with no worries of contamination to fillers and primers. Plus since we were in fiberglass mode I was able to pull in the 1959 Glass Magic Playmaster. Totally cool finned boat. Fixing keel and transom......come on Summer!!!:cool:

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  • 4 months later...
Guest Davethewave
Posted

Another fun toy ready to cruise the boulevard. Even little gems like this always take more time than expected. Now back to the boat!:cool:

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