Wednesday, November 18, 2009

STREET LEGAL BUMPER CARS

It's easy for a gear-head to be discouraged about the state of the world, especially in times of Carpocalypse and Cash for Clunkers. But occasionally, a bright light of awesome renews the spirit. Road-legal bumper cars do just that.

Yes, you read that right; these little beasties are street legal. Either Kawasaki or Honda motorcycle engines for power, and retired vintage bumper car bodies - transformed into the most awesome form of mini-car we've ever seen.

There's seven of these little monsters floating around California, and they're all the creation of one man, Tom Wright, a gyro-gear loose builder on the outskirts of San Diego who figured the leftovers of the Long Beach Pike amusement park needed a more dignified end than the trash heap. They were originally powered by Harley engines but rattled like heck and Tom replace them with Honda or Kawasaki 750's... and a couple have been 'measured' [not run at] theoretically as capable of 160 MPH which is terrifyingly fast in machines with such a short wheelbase.

Doesn't mean we would totally rock one should the opportunity present itself. In fact, we now have only one burning desire, to see these things running a go kart track with a clown in the drivers seat.










4 comments:

MinnesotaChick said...

How cool!! I like the license plates. :)

OrbsCorbs said...

Ooo, I want one, I want one! Please, please, Santa Claus, please?

kkdither said...

I've often thought that is exactly what we need, bumper cars with rubber surrounding the vehicle.

Have you ever damaged a bumper on your car? Can easily run $800 to $1,000 for a replacement. They don't bother with repairs.

These babies might be a tad cold in our climate. Scraping the windshield in the winter would be the least of our problems.

drewzepmeister said...

Nice little cars! Very cute! I saw a lot of fancy cars out in CA, but nothing like these. I'd hate be driving on the freeway in one of those things!