Three-wheeled car from the cult show Top Gear became one of the most memorable projects of the team of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May. Originally created as a parody of budget vehicles, this “masterpiece” of automotive engineering unexpectedly found a second life - from memes on the Internet to real attempts to reproduce it in metal. But what was it really: a brilliant joke, a technical challenge or a provocative look at the future of urban transport?
In this article we will look at history of creation three-wheeled monster, his technical features (yes, he has them!), legal nuances of legalization in Russia and the world, and we will also tell you where you can see or even buy similar cars today. If you've ever dreamed of building your own Top Gear-mobile - here you will find practical advice and warnings about pitfalls.
Spoiler alert: it's not just a "car with one wheel on the back." This is a symbol of how Top Gear knew how to turn absurdity into genius - and why millions of viewers still remember this episode with a smile.
History of creation: how Top Gear came up with a three-wheeled nightmare
The episode with the three-wheeler aired on Season 12 of the show (2008) and became a response to the challenge: to create a cheap, economical and environmentally friendly vehicle. The team were given a budget of £1,000 per presenter - and, as usual, interpreted the task as creatively as possible. Clarkson, Hammond and May didn't just build the car: they created an iconic artifact of the auto industry, which is still being discussed 15 years later.
The idea was simple: take everything that is cheapest and most unreliable that can be found on the car market, and assemble it into an “ideal” city car. The result was:
- 🔧 Engine from a motorcycle Honda C90 (50 cc, 4.5 hp) - chosen for its legendary unreliability in the hands of leaders.
- 🚗 Body from scrap materials, including parts from Reliant Robin (another iconic three-wheeler).
- 💰 Budget: £3,000 for three - and that's with most of the money spent on beer and chips.
- 😱 Bottom line: a car that barely managed 60 km/h and had a tendency to tip over on corners.
Interesting fact: the presenters initially planned to make a four-wheeled car, but Clarkson insisted on three wheels, arguing that “it would be funnier when it turns over.” And he was right: scenes of car rollovers went viral even before the age of TikTok.
Technical specifications: what's inside the "masterpiece" Top Gear
At first glance, a three-wheeled vehicle from Top Gear seems like an ordinary homemade product. But if you dig deeper, it becomes clear: this deliberately bad design, where every detail is chosen to highlight the absurdity of the task. Let's look at the key nodes:
| Component | Characteristics | Why this? |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Honda C90, 50 cu. cm, 4.5 hp | The cheapest and weakest motor that could ever be found. Ideal for the "eco" concept (and for making the car barely crawl). |
| Transmission | Chain drive to rear wheel | Simplicity and cheapness, but at the same time a high probability of the chain jumping off while driving. |
| Suspension | Rigid axle at the front, one wheel at the rear without shock absorbers | So that every bump feels like a parachute jump. Comfort? No, we haven't heard. |
| Brakes | Drum front, no rear | Because “who even brakes on such cars?” In reality - to increase the chances of an accident in the frame. |
| Body | Fiberglass + parts from Reliant Robin | Lightweight, cheap and easy to break - ideal for television. |
Deserves special attention weight distribution. Due to one rear wheel, the center of gravity is shifted forward, which makes the car extremely unstable when cornering. In an episode of the show, Clarkson specifically demonstrates how a car flips over when trying to make a U-turn at 30 km/h. This is not a bug - it's a feature!
If you decide to repeat the experiment, install the rear wheel wider and lower - this will slightly improve stability. But don't expect miracles: physics can't be fooled.
Legal nuances: is it possible to drive one in 2026?
The issue of legalization of a three-wheeled vehicle from Top Gear - this is a separate headache. In most countries, including Russia, such structures fall into a gray area between:
- 🚲 Moped (if engine power is up to 50 cc and speed is up to 50 km/h).
- 🚗 By car (if motor or weight limits are exceeded).
- 🚜 Homemade vehicle (with all the attendant certification problems).
In Russia, for legal operation you will need:
- Pass technical expertise in an accredited laboratory (cost from 50,000 ₽).
- Get vehicle type approval (OTTS) - The process can take up to a year.
- Register your car with the traffic police as follows:
homemade vehiclewith assignment of a number. - Check out OSAGO (insurance companies often refuse policies for do-it-yourselfers).
What happens if you drive without registration?
In the best case, a fine of 500–800 rubles for the absence of an STS (Article 12.3 of the Administrative Code). At worst, the vehicle will be confiscated to an impound lot and there will be problems with its return, since it cannot be legitimized “retroactively.”
⚠️ Attention: The rules for registering homemade vehicles may change. For example, from 2023, body safety requirements have become more stringent. Before starting assembly, check the current standards on the website RosAccreditation or at your local traffic police department.
Where can you see or buy a three-wheeled car from today? Top Gear?
The original car from the 2008 episode was sold at auction Bonhams in 2012 for £11,600 (approximately 1.5 million rubles at the exchange rate of that time). Today it can be seen in museum Top Gear in Donnington (UK), but access there is limited - the exhibition has been closed to the public since 2020.
If you want to purchase replica, you have several options:
- 🛒 Ready-made replicas from British workshops (price from £15,000 or ~1.8 million rubles). For example, a company Great British Sports Cars periodically accepts orders.
- 🔨 DIY Projects based on Reliant Robin or Piaggio Ape (budget from 300,000 ₽, if you do it yourself).
- 🎭 Costumed cars for filming or events (rent from 20,000 ₽/day).
On Avito and Drom.ru Sometimes there are advertisements for the sale of homemade three-wheeled cars, but be careful:
Make sure that the car has a title or STS (even if it is homemade)|Check the ownership history (is it stolen?)|Inspect the welds and fasteners - they often rust|Ask for a test drive video (the car should not tip over on a flat road)-->
How to assemble your own three-wheeled car: step-by-step instructions
If you decide to repeat the feat Top Gear and assemble your own version of a three-wheeled car, here is the minimum checklist:
- Selecting a base
Optimal donors:
- 🏍️ Motorcycle Honda C90 or Yamaha DT 50 (for engine and transmission).
- 🚙 Reliant Robin (if you find it, this is an ideal donor body).
- 🛴 Electric car Renault Twizy (for electric version).
Use SolidWorks or Fusion 360 for 3D modeling. Main rule: the center of gravity should be as low as possible. In the original car it was shifted forward, which caused rollovers.
Start with idle speed on stands, then test in a closed area. Carry out your first test drives at a speed no higher than 20 km/h - even an original car Top Gear I couldn't stand it anymore.
Average cost of a DIY project:
| Component | Price (₽) | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Engine (used) | 15 000–30 000 | Avito, engine disassembly |
| Body (homemade) | 50 000–100 000 | Fiberglass workshops |
| Chassis | 20 000–40 000 | Showdown, Exist.ru |
| Registration | 50 000–200 000 | Accredited laboratories |
The hardest part is not the assembly, but the legalization. Without the correct paperwork, the car will remain a “garage exhibit.”
Alternatives: Modern three-wheelers you can buy legally
If the idea of making a homemade project scares you, pay attention to production three-wheeled vehicles that are already certified and ready for use:
- 🚗 Morgan 3 Wheeler (UK)
Stylish retro car with a motorcycle engine S&S V-Twin (115 hp). Price: from 6 million ₽. Pros: Legal, fast, looks like a 1930s race car. Cons: price and lack of heating.
- 🛵 Piaggio MP3 (Italy)
Three-wheeled scooter with tilting wheels. Price: from 500,000 ₽. Pros: does not require a category B license, economical. Cons: not suitable for winter.
- 🔋 Arcimoto FUV (USA)
Electric three-wheeler with a range of 160 km. Price: from 3 million ₽. Pros: environmentally friendly, modern design. Cons: there are no official dealers in Russia.
For comparison with a homemade product from Top Gear:
| Parameter | Top Gear (2008) | Morgan 3 Wheeler | Piaggio MP3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max. speed | 60 km/h | 177 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Fuel consumption | 2 l/100 km | 5.6 l/100 km | 2.5 l/100 km |
| Price | ~1.5 million ₽ (auction) | from 6 million ₽ | from 500,000 ₽ |
| Legality in the Russian Federation | Requires certification | Certified | Certified |
Myths and reality: debunking stereotypes about three-wheeled vehicles
There are many myths associated with three-wheeled cars. Let's look at the most common ones:
Myth 1: “Three-wheeled cars always tip over.”
Reality: Yes, Top Gear deliberately made his car unstable for dramatic effect. Modern models (for example, Morgan 3 Wheeler or Campagna T-Rex) have a wide track and a low center of gravity, which reduces the risk of capsizing to a minimum.
Myth 2: “This is not a serious transport.”
Reality: In some countries (for example, Thailand or India), three-wheelers are the main type of taxi. They are cheaper to operate than conventional cars and more maneuverable in traffic jams.
Myth 3: “Such cars cannot be registered.”
Reality: In Russia, registration is possible, but requires passing a technical examination. The main thing is that the car matches Technical Regulations of the Customs Union 018/2011.
Why didn’t three-wheeled cars take root in the USSR?
In the Soviet Union there were attempts to produce three-wheeled minicars (for example, SMZ S-3A), but they failed due to low comfort and weak power. In addition, in the 1960s and 70s, the priority was the development of a full-fledged automobile industry, rather than “toy” cars.
⚠️ Attention: If you see an advertisement for the sale of an "original car from Top Gear"at a suspiciously low price (for example, less than 500,000 ₽), this is almost certainly a scam. There was only one original, and it is in the museum. All the rest are replicas or fakes.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about three-wheeled vehicles
Is it possible to convert a regular car into a three-wheeler?
Technically yes, but legally it’s almost impossible. In Russia, such alterations are considered changing the vehicle design and require approval from the traffic police. In practice, obtaining approval is extremely difficult: inspectors often refuse, citing safety violations.
If you really want it, it’s easier to buy an already certified three-wheeled car (for example, Morgan or Piaggio) or assemble a homemade product from scratch, rather than remodeling a production car.
How much does insurance cost for a three-wheeler?
The cost of compulsory motor insurance depends on:
- Engine power (up to 50 hp - cheaper, above - more expensive).
- Registration type (homemade or serial model).
- Region (rates are higher in Moscow and St. Petersburg).
Approximate prices:
- For Piaggio MP3 (motorcycle category): RUB 1,500–3,000/year.
- For a homemade vehicle: 5,000–10,000 ₽/year (if the insurance company agrees at all).
Is it possible to drive a three-wheeler in winter?
Technically possible, but:
- 🚗 Winter tires For three-wheeled vehicles it is difficult to find (you will have to order it individually).
- ❄️ Sustainability on snow and ice is lower than that of conventional cars (the risk of skidding is higher).
- ⚡ Heating often absent (in Morgan 3 Wheeler, for example, it does not exist at all).
Conclusion: unless it is absolutely necessary, it is better to lay up the car until spring.
Where can you ride a three-wheeler without purchasing?
Several options:
- 🎪 Autodromes with the rental of unusual vehicles (for example, Moscow Raceway sometimes conducts test drives of retro cars).
- 🎭 Quest rooms and entertainment centers (in Moscow and St. Petersburg there are establishments with Top Gear-subject).
- 🌍 Abroad: in Dubai and Las Vegas you can rent Campagna T-Rex or Polaris Slingshot for an hour (from 5,000 ₽).
Why Top Gear Did you choose the three-wheeled design?
According to Jeremy Clarkson, the reason was due to three factors:
- "Three-wheeled cars look funny - and laughter was our main goal."
- “They are cheaper to produce (one less wheel = less cost).”
- “It’s a challenge for engineers: making a stable car with this design is almost impossible, and we liked impossible challenges.”
By the way, in the same episode, Hammond assembled a four-wheeled version, but his car turned out to be even less reliable - it fell apart after 10 meters.