This 1964 VW is representative of the early Beetles, with the smaller 1200 cc engine, smaller windows and windshield, overrider bumpers, "moon disk" hub caps and wide whitewalls.

Mini (1959-2000)

 While Beetles were ubiquitous, the British Mini was game changing. The Mini was the first side-mounted engine, front-wheel drive minicar.  The engine took up only 18" of space, and the wheels were reduced to 10" and pushed to the extreme corners.  This allowed maximum space for passengers and luggage within the miniscule 10' x 4' x 4' vehicle.  Almost all small front-wheel-drive cars developed since have used a similar configuration.  5.4 million Minis were produced in ten countries.  For its game changing innovation, the Mini was declared the 2^nd most influential Car of the Century.

This tiny car was the first of the Japanese invasion.  Its resemblence to the Mini is clear, though it has a 2-cylinder, 600 cc air-cooled engine, compared to the Mini's 4 cylinder, 850 cc watercooled motor.  Japan developed standards - and generous incentives - for microcars, known as kei-cars, including a 11'2" max. length and 600 cc engine (in 1971). Engine size started started at 360 cc, now 660 cc.  It set the stage for the Honda Civic that arrived on our shores in 1973 with a water cooled engine twice the size of the little kei-car

 Freeway 

America got it's first oil shock in 1973 as the US became an importer of oil (35% at the time).  American cars averaged around 12 mpg.  Boxy Winnabegos of that time pushed air at about 4 mpg. Enter David Edmonson of Minnesota, who formed the HMV (High Mileage Vehicle) Company to build the 3-wheeled Freeway.  A few over 700 of these single seater cars were built by HMV. They could be purchased with a choice of gas, a diesel, or electric propulsion. In ICE, 12 to 18HP models were available.  The 12 HP gas engine was guaranteed to get 100 mpg.

This '81 Freeway has the 'big' 18HP 1-cylinder 453cc Tecumseh engine. With little sound insulation and an enclosed cabin, one is reminded of driving in an enclosed lawn mower.  No radio or back-seat woofers needed! 

The demise of the Freeway once again ended American production of gas-sipping vehicles.  Although Gremlins, Pintos, Chevettes and Vegas had 4-cylinder engines, these so-called subcompacts were

heavy and they barely made it over 20 mpg.  By comparison, the

1500 lb Honda Civic could achieve over 40 mpg.

Visit WAAAM April 9th- See them drive and learn more !