How to build Moonbeam, a 100 MPG microcar

Home
Summer 2009: The One Gallon Challenge
Specifications
The Microcar Concept
Why three wheels?
Why Not Electric?
Street Legality
Safety
Test Drives
How to Build Moonbeam
photos 1 and 2
Photos 3 and 4
Photos 5 and 6
Photos 7, 8, and 9
Some more Pictures
Improvements you might make
How you may use this information
Links and Videos to Check Out
Maine to Santa Monica at slow speed
Report from Santa Monica's Altcarexpo
Progress Report Jan 8, 2009
Guestbook
Displaying 1 - 37 of 37 total posts.   

submitted on October 17, 2009 5:22 PM EST
Name: Steffan Hughes
Email Address: Steffanhughes@hotmail.com
Web site URL:
Comments: Excellent work. excellent site. Well done indeed!! I am building a 72 volt electric car in the UK body done fitting drives. This site is most helpful.
How did you hear about this site? Search Engine

submitted on August 27, 2009 2:16 PM EST
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submitted on August 25, 2009 7:49 AM EST
Name: Bob Immler
Email Address: roamic@gmail.com
Web site URL:
Comments: Met you in Greenfield. I was on the titanium bike. Your e-mail bounced back.
How did you hear about this site? Your web page

submitted on August 20, 2009 12:35 PM EST
Name: Peter Letson
Email Address: letson@crocker.com
Web site URL:
Comments: Dear Jory Squibb It was a pleasure to talk with you at the schutzenverein picnic. I will be delighted to be in contact next summer, after we get back from Costa Rica, about sailing together. Peter L.
How did you hear about this site? visit to one gallon challenge

submitted on August 15, 2009 8:25 PM EST
Name: Anonymous
Email Address:
Web site URL:
Comments: I saw someone driving the moodbeam earlier this sommer. I thought it was a production vehicle or a kit vehicle. It was well put together. Who ever was driving was in a hurry 'cause it just whipped by where I was working. Looks like a nimble, quick vehicle. Seems like it would have no problem with local traffic. I like the simplicity of the body design. OK so now I know it is homemade, I'm way impressed! I am also very impressed with the economy, better than I thought. We, the grass roots, can show the big auto makers how it's done! We need more people like you! Thank You!
How did you hear about this site? Village Soup

submitted on July 26, 2009 10:44 PM EST
Name: Michael Klegin
Email Address: mdklegin@gmail.com
Web site URL: http://www.myspace.com/zeonic
Comments: I think this is a great idea, allways wanted to build my own super efficient three wheeled car using coroplast and bike components.
How did you hear about this site? scrounging the web for simular ideas.

submitted on July 21, 2009 12:37 AM EST
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submitted on June 26, 2009 3:39 PM EST
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submitted on June 23, 2009 10:29 AM EST
Name: Rich Childs
Email Address: afx0000rich@yahoo.com
Web site URL:
Comments: Love It, nice Job
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submitted on June 8, 2009 11:04 AM EST
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submitted on June 7, 2009 7:48 PM EST
Name: Walt Stone
Email Address: wlstone45@aol.com
Web site URL:
Comments: A touch smaller than my new Smart but an interesting thought provoking article of my life theme of "enough is plenty" which is what I've named my Smart. Have you thought of a small diesel for power?
How did you hear about this site? Ran across it via a search

submitted on April 28, 2009 5:40 PM EST
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submitted on April 24, 2009 9:28 AM EST
Name: John Ellingwood
Email Address: ellingwoodj@hotmail.com
Web site URL:
Comments: I love the moonbeam. I want to build one but am not concerned with heat in that I will use my main car during the winter.
How did you hear about this site? searching for microcar building information

submitted on April 10, 2009 7:02 AM EST
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submitted on March 31, 2009 9:40 AM EST
Name: darrell
Email Address: dbridgessr@yahoo.com
Web site URL:
Comments: kool, just kool
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submitted on March 29, 2009 11:53 PM EST
Name: Tim DuBos
Email Address: timothydubos@comcast.net
Web site URL:
Comments: Tim DuBos Bonney lake WA with his 3 wheeler MY TRYOTA. You Rock dude.
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submitted on March 10, 2009 4:44 PM EST
Name: paul davis
Email Address: maddhatter@rock.com
Web site URL:
Comments:
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submitted on March 8, 2009 3:24 AM EST
Name: Dan Hopkins
Email Address: islandthumper36@hotmail.com
Web site URL:
Comments: Hi: I thought this little car is just the thing, i saw years ago ,in i think it was popular mechanics or popular science, where the took the rear of a bike from the fork hub back and had a fiberglass kit car front,it was a quick connect -disconnect system ...so it could be quickly changed back and forth, i have been looking for that (Cycle/Car Plan for about 20 years now, and that is how i found your car.... There is NO EXCUSE for america not having regular cars that can get 100+ MPG. Back in the 1960's my uncle built a carb and installed it on his Elderodo Caddie, He got Fantastic milage on that Caddie, So the Government took it away from him,,,Getting back to your moonbeam, Do you have any more photos of it??? Thanks ***Dan
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submitted on February 28, 2009 7:20 PM EST
Name: Al Blanche
Email Address: abmuddauber746@gmail.com
Web site URL:
Comments: Keep up the good work! I always built what I needed, but I am getting too old I guess. Would like to see it in production. In the 60s Vespa (Piagio Corp.) had a Grand Sport with a 175 cc engine that was powerful, economical and reliable! I put 25,000 miles on one. I was a Norton mechanic while going to college and eventually went with Nortons, which I still love, but I have a soft place for the Vespas.
How did you hear about this site? By accident. Someone referred me to the Peel 50!

submitted on February 28, 2009 12:08 AM EST
Name: Jim Snyder
Email Address: jws7962@yahoo.com
Web site URL:
Comments: Brilliant! I build a push trike for my daughter and fell in love with the idea to build a full size one for myself!
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submitted on January 28, 2009 11:39 AM EST
Name: natalie russell petrilli
Email Address: nrpetrilli@gmail.com
Web site URL: carnivorecharters.net
Comments: Hey Jory! I have found you on line and have a christmas card for you that was returned from PO box 5035 camden. Have you moved? Please send new address xx talie
How did you hear about this site? search for Jory Squibb

submitted on January 27, 2009 8:08 AM EST
Name: verizon.net
Email Address: lisavictor
Web site URL:
Comments: I live in Bangor Maine and I am impressed with you and your car, its wonderful. thanks for doing what everyone should try to do. Save energy and use less .
How did you hear about this site? I saw an article and did a search for the moonbeam car

submitted on January 24, 2009 4:09 AM EST
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submitted on January 10, 2009 8:39 PM EST
Name: Laurie Nichols
Email Address: novscot@uninets.net
Web site URL:
Comments: thanks a lot for the phone call last night,will be getting back with you soon. Laurie N
How did you hear about this site? the news

submitted on December 31, 2008 9:31 PM EST
Name: Justin Rizzo
Email Address: justinrizzo@gmail.com
Web site URL:
Comments: Your car is what I have always dreamed about
How did you hear about this site? A google search brought me here

submitted on December 26, 2008 6:31 PM EST
Name: Fred Jay
Email Address: evergreenfj@yahoo.com
Web site URL:
Comments: In 1969 I stumbled upon a Morgan 3-wheeler show at an estate in SW England. I have never been the same since. Yours is by far the most interesting site I have seen recently. I really commend you for it. I built a camper truck out of MDO plywood popriveted to an angle iron frame with large flange rivets (often used to repair snow machine treads). This has held up to the weather and the road for nearly 20 years. I am wondering whether thin marine grade plywood, epoxied, has any role in a design like yours. The Taschen Micro Car book (lite blue cover) has a Fuldamobil 3-wheeler built of plywood, an example that looks to simplify body construction and allow for the use of flat safety glass. All the best.
How did you hear about this site? Googled "Three Wheeled Vehicles"

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submitted on November 27, 2008 11:10 AM EST
Name: robert camp
Email Address: rlcam@copper.net
Web site URL:
Comments:
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submitted on November 25, 2008 11:10 AM EST
Name: JUAN CARLOS ARRIETA
Email Address: charlyboysbmw@hotmail.com
Web site URL:
Comments: I LIKE THE MOONBEAM SO MUCH THAN I DECIDED TO BUILT ONE FOR ME¡
How did you hear about this site? LOOKING IN GOGGLE FOR MICROCAR

submitted on November 23, 2008 11:34 PM EST
Name: Mark Keller
Email Address: mark.keller@gmail.com
Web site URL:
Comments: Love the car! I get around totally by bike, but it would be great to have a car like this on days when I can't bike for whatever reason. Great Work!
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submitted on November 19, 2008 6:39 PM EST
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submitted on October 30, 2008 9:16 AM EST
Name: Dan Hunter
Email Address: daniel.hunter@nkch.org
Web site URL:
Comments: Love the car. I want to do a tilt on the front of a Harley. I know good luck.
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submitted on October 15, 2008 5:45 PM EST
Name: Michael Peck
Email Address: mpeck@hotmail.com
Web site URL:
Comments: I love this! It's great to see the American spirit is still alive. This is inovation at it's finest. I admire someone that doesn't wait for big business (ie, government) to come up with a solution. Keep up the good work!
How did you hear about this site? Ask.com