Cheers or Jeers: 1963 Trivan

Link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/...=item1e7473e415

This auction is for our TRIVAN, 3-wheeled pickup truck, BUILT here in Penna. (Port Carbon then Frackville, Schuylkill County) in 1963. There were 145 TOTAL built, according to bankruptcy papers we have. As of today, we have located 15 of them, assuming the rest are gone. This truck is #98 of 145. It was just rescued from a 20+ year storage. Pics enclosed show it in the garage and being brought back into the light of day. (3rd & 4th pics).

I can GUARANTEE that you will NOT find another more "Unique" vehicle than this. I have 2 binders full of documentation: Company history, photos, newspaper articles, documents personally signed by Mr. Bazley (owner of company) & other employees, agreement for sale of property that business was located on, bankruptcy papers later on, Company stock, etc.

This truck had 337 (actual) MILES on it when taken from the garage ! ! (see pic #10). We now have close to 450 miles, due to car shows in the area. We have been approached by Auto Museums in the area who don't have one, wanting us to donate it (of course). Has won "People's Choice" and other trophies. It is also going to be featured in a new BOOK coming out soon, called "Orphan Baby Cars". You can Google that.

Please mail me with any questions. I can sit and talk to you for hours explaining all we know about these trucks ! Car shows are NEVER dull ! ! BELIEVE ME ! !

The truck has a 32 HP, 2 cyl. KOHLER generator motor, hooked to a Ford 3-speed trans. The rear wheel drive is unidentified so far. I have found NOONE who knows its origin. Titled and Insured in Penna. as "Antique". Could use attention to small paint-bubble / rust spots in rear box area where body panels connect, but truck is 'UNTOUCHED' from new.

Pic #6 is pic of Factory while operating in 1963. Pic #7 is of us standing at exact same spot in summer of 2010. This vehicle will definitely STOP traffic !

We also have other trucks, if interested. The red one came from the Hershey Museum, plus we have others in NOT as good condition, but RESTORABLE! Mail me for info, pics. "POSSIBLE" interesting deal considered, up or down.... But WANT something else unique, to replace this, if gone.

Also, BEST ' ACCEPTABLE OFFER' will be considered to SERIOUS buyer. We can be reached at: 484-794-5549 or 484-794-1897(cells) if interested. MIGHT be able to H-E-L-P WITH DELIVERY, I-F AGREED to separately. . (HAVE trailer to transport).

Thanks, Bill & Debbie

Lets KEEP them old trucks runnin ! ! !

How is that thing stable?

And they claim to have a 1963 factory photo... but there are two early 70's GM B-bodies in the photo, a Buick and a Chevy.

Edited November 21, 201213 yr by ocnblu

It would be less stable if it were the other way around!

Do not see how those would be street legal.

Do not see how those would be street legal.

Different time and place...car makers could get away w/ a lot back then..

It is interesting to look at the cottage industry micro cars and trucks that were built in small numbers throughout the '50s-60s...it's like they existed in a car market completely removed from the big 3 world of longer, lower wider and V8s and bigness...I'm trying to remember the name of the small Ohio company that made a tiny 4 wheel car..I've seen ads for it in old Popular Science magazine. (not Crosley).

^ Wasn't King Midget from Cleveland?

... they claim to have a 1963 factory photo... but there are two early 70's GM B-bodies in the photo, a Buick and a Chevy.

Trivan doesn't exactly look factory fresh in that shot, either.

I've seen pics of this thing before. Moltie's right- there were a TON of independent micro-manufacturers in the '50s that certainly built some offbeat stuff.

^ Wasn't King Midget from Cleveland?

I believe so...that's the one I was thinking of...

Sounds like King Midget was from Athens, Ohio. They had a long run, 46-70.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Midget

Ahh, misremembered the badge.

Saw one last spring at the local swap meet. For some reason, they look far larger in pics than the actually are; tiny!

I could use one as a spare tire for the B-59.

Interesting...

And jeers to anythiong that small and unusable as an automobile....

Speaking of tiny cars, I was sitting at an intersection tonight...there was a Smart car behind me, a sweet '60s vintage Mini (LHD, red, w/ a pair of big rally style driving lights) in the left turn lane across from me, with a modern Mini (also red) beside it...the vintage one was so small...

^ Yes; there's a house I pass 5 minutes from me, they have a current mini & and old one parked side-by-side in the driveway, the old one is ridiculous. Tires look like 10"ers.

I would like to those cars and trucks in reality and not just in pictures, and maybe even participate in the auction. By the way if you are from pennsylvania, there is a big choice of pickup trucks, cars, other vehicles including old ones in pennsylvania here.

Edited December 7, 201213 yr by Micdriver