LocostUSA.com

They are Canadian and have been built since around 1990. The mfg is Westward Industries, Ltd. but the company changed hands in 2012 and I hear they are not supportive of the older units.
They are all GO-4 utility vehicles as stated on the federal certification label on the dash.
The "fastback" design is the P35 and is the first design. I think it was only built through 1994.
The interceptor has been in production since 95 I think (not much info available)
There is the interceptor, interceptor II, and interceptor III.

Drivetrains are the same as Ford festiva up to 93 at least. Newer 90s models are aspire based I think, which has a larger bolt circle, maf, gearing changes,etc. Some time around 2000, they switched to Hyundai 3 cylinder and automatic which is difficult to find parts for in the States.

All the above are best guesses.

What this means is that I have a lot of different mazda engines and transmissions I could use, some bolt on and some almost or easily converted.

I have not measured the axle lengths to compare to those used on the festiva to determine if they are the same length. Easy enough to change the track with new brackets on the trailing arms or fit whatever back there. It's just the front of a fwd car with a cabin and motorcycle front fork.

Removed the entire ac system for easier access while I sort out the important stuff. It was open anyway and will need drier and at least one hose.

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Miata UBJ: ES-2074R('70s maz pickup)
Ford IFS viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13225&p=134742
Simple Spring select viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11815
LxWxHt
360LA 442E: 134.5x46x15
Lotus7:115x39x7.25
Tiger Avon:114x40x13.3-12.6
Champion/Book:114x42x11
Gibbs/Haynes:122x42x14
VoDou:113x44x14
McSorley 442:122x46x14
Collins 241:127x46x12

Were you ever able to get far enough to get some results from that CFD software that you tried? Just curious...

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Marcus Barrow - Car9 an open design community supported sports car for home builders!
SketchUp collection for LocostUSA: "Dream it, Build it, Drive it!"
Car9 Roadster information - models, drawings, resources etc.

I was jumping far ahead of my build. This is as far as I took it:

viewtopic.php?f=23&t=13379&p=180338&hilit=sketchup#p180338

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Miata UBJ: ES-2074R('70s maz pickup)
Ford IFS viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13225&p=134742
Simple Spring select viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11815
LxWxHt
360LA 442E: 134.5x46x15
Lotus7:115x39x7.25
Tiger Avon:114x40x13.3-12.6
Champion/Book:114x42x11
Gibbs/Haynes:122x42x14
VoDou:113x44x14
McSorley 442:122x46x14
Collins 241:127x46x12

No progress. Still working on the other stuff however, I did pickup an elbow water neck from the Kubota dealer. I found the part number posted by Jack McCornack on his site. We both have a D1105 3 cylinder. I needed it to prevent the radiator hose from sticking up into my trunk space.

The part number is 1g253-73260. Assumed that if it fit Jacks D1105 turbo, it would fit my na D1105. However, Jacks engine was new where mine was an old take off from a Jacobsen mower. It seems Kubota went to a higher flowing coolant system at some point, with a larger coolant passage through the timing cover, water neck and larger thermostat (1-5/8” from 1-3/8”) but reduced the hose pipe connection from about 1-1/4” to 1”. Maybe it was only to fit a larger stat. I can still use it by making an adapter plate which will allow me to clock it as necessary.

_________________
Miata UBJ: ES-2074R('70s maz pickup)
Ford IFS viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13225&p=134742
Simple Spring select viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11815
LxWxHt
360LA 442E: 134.5x46x15
Lotus7:115x39x7.25
Tiger Avon:114x40x13.3-12.6
Champion/Book:114x42x11
Gibbs/Haynes:122x42x14
VoDou:113x44x14
McSorley 442:122x46x14
Collins 241:127x46x12

Hi Miatav8!

Thanks again for the suggestion to use a HD transmission on my project. Looks like it's going to work... Enough so, that I've lightened up on my research. Mostly looking at dry clutch availability (Stock, vs an aftermarket and making sure I can get one for whatever transmission I end up getting.)

So... I came back to this build thread and want to thank you for being so complete in your descriptions and number of photos!

I actually began reading this a long time ago but became consumed with my own project.

Came back to it a few weeks ago and got up to page 5 before returning to solve my EV drive challenge.

Started over a week ago and read a LOT slower to take up all your details!

GREAT BUILD THREAD!

GREAT PROJECT!!!

I haven't read all the way through or jumped to the last page... Kind of like not wanting to ruin the ending of a great novel! LOL!

So now I'll return to page 8 and continue... Great rainy Sunday, not a lot I get get done outside and going on my second pot of coffee! LOL!

Thanks for everything!

Can't wait to see how this project turned out!

Best,

Richard

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"If I can draw it, I can build it!" ...Right??? ROFLOL!!!

"To design a flying machine is nothing... To build it, little...
To make it fly, is everything!"

-Igor Sikorsky

Thanks, me too.

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Miata UBJ: ES-2074R('70s maz pickup)
Ford IFS viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13225&p=134742
Simple Spring select viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11815
LxWxHt
360LA 442E: 134.5x46x15
Lotus7:115x39x7.25
Tiger Avon:114x40x13.3-12.6
Champion/Book:114x42x11
Gibbs/Haynes:122x42x14
VoDou:113x44x14
McSorley 442:122x46x14
Collins 241:127x46x12

Have you made any more progress on this project?

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Tucker

Funny you should ask; a little. The GO4 was a detour that I expected to be a quick fix and drive, being a certified road worthy design, but it took much longer than it should have to get a tag.

For the reverse trike, I built an exhaust system out of mandrel bends and a small walker muffler for a Honda. That was about 2 years ago. I applied some phosphorus to stop the rusting but that is about it. I was sweeping and organizing around it a few days ago in preparation to pick up where I left off in the spring.

It seems the Elio Corporation has been heavily lobbying in most States for “autocycle” recognition in lieu of motorcycle designation for closed trikes with a steering wheel. I hope I am not negatively affected. I would not know if the GO4 problems I had with the State were associated with that. I anticipate Elio had some issues early on with trying to put their product out there (like vws trike a few years ago), which is why they are pushing now. Included in the deal is not having a helmet requirement and primarily, a motorcycle endorsement on the license.

I also have some concerns about interference (it has happened before but not to me), and part of the problem with openly sharing information before acting on it. It isn’t obvious to me what came first; my online description and doodles of an ideal commuter vehicle and the design of the Elio. I was well on my way building before I’d even heard of an Elio, but they look very similar. I’ve no intention of selling anything though or calling my car something it is not, so maybe I can be left alone to tinker. I think it is great what they are doing and wish them great success. The Elio should be embraced as a blue collar tool, not a toy.

_________________
Miata UBJ: ES-2074R('70s maz pickup)
Ford IFS viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13225&p=134742
Simple Spring select viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11815
LxWxHt
360LA 442E: 134.5x46x15
Lotus7:115x39x7.25
Tiger Avon:114x40x13.3-12.6
Champion/Book:114x42x11
Gibbs/Haynes:122x42x14
VoDou:113x44x14
McSorley 442:122x46x14
Collins 241:127x46x12

I'd never even heard of Elio until your post just now.. did some digging and he apparently has quite the backing right now. 300 million + in pre orders? I find that figure hard to believe.. but if its anywhere close to that, then its still impressive.

I'm with you on the motorcycle endorsement deal. In CT, years ago, I attempted to get my motorcycle endorsement. It required 2 months of having a permit, taking a mandatory 3 day motorcycle safety class, a written test and a riding test in a parking lot. Basically, a bunch of time off of work for a normal working person, and the motorcycle could not be ridden to the test center by the test taker.

I was all set to have it squared away, when the left hand carb on my CB650 started pissing fuel and ruined my whole summer. Tab broke in the float bowl, and I couldn't find a decent replacement in time for my test date. With no motorcycle to take the test on, my permit lapsed and here I am with no endorsement.

What a stupid process. One that has turned me off from the idea of building a 3 wheeler in this state for as long as the registration laws suggest that anything with fewer than 4 wheels (with the exception of the BMW isetta and reliant robin) is considered a motorcycle.

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Tucker

Over 50,000 pre-orders add up! Hopefully interest will not wane with the current fuel prices. I'm afraid they will return to record numbers again this Summer. It guess it is similar enough to what came before it and mine is different enough that I shouldn't expect any hassle. The similarities may be laughable depending on how mine turns out.

Yeah, that is a crazy process for getting a bike license. I'm not sure when they started requiring a license to ride a motorcycle in the first place; mid-70s?

_________________
Miata UBJ: ES-2074R('70s maz pickup)
Ford IFS viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13225&p=134742
Simple Spring select viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11815
LxWxHt
360LA 442E: 134.5x46x15
Lotus7:115x39x7.25
Tiger Avon:114x40x13.3-12.6
Champion/Book:114x42x11
Gibbs/Haynes:122x42x14
VoDou:113x44x14
McSorley 442:122x46x14
Collins 241:127x46x12

Well dang. If you have to go to all that trouble, there's no reason to use the Kubota part, you might as well adapt something that's the right size for your thermostat. I'm sure the junkyards, not to mention the parts houses, are full of them. I'll buy yours if you don't want to use it, and I'm sorry I lead you astray...I'll make a note of that on my Kubota page

I'm pretty sure your analysis is correct; there were some changes to the plumbing on the D1105 at some point in the model line's history. It makes more sense than to think they reworked it specifically for the turbo model.

BTW, +1 to you and 1055 re the motorcycle endorsement deal. Not that there shouldn't be some sort of endorsement for motorcycles*, it doesn't seem to be all that appropriate for tadpole trikes.

It just floors me that in Oregon, a 16 year old kid who can pass a simple (and simpleminded) written test, and is doing well on his cocaine route, can take his money to his Hayabusa dealer and have a 180 mph accident on the way home.

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Locost builder and adventurer, and founder (but no longer owner) of Kinetic Vehicles

I can say that in Illinois, it predates 1973. That is when I got my 1st (and only) Motorcycle endorsement on my driver's license. I haven't had to retest since then. And I still have the endorsement, even though I haven't had a bike in over 20 years. I'll probably need it if I ever get my Cushman licensed for the road.

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Chuck.

“Any suspension will work if you don’t let it.” - Colin Chapman

Visit my ongoing MGB Rustoration log: over HERE

Or my Wankel powered Locost log : over HERE

And don't forget my Cushman Truckster resto Locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=17766

In Connecticut, our youthful cocaine dealers have to wait until they're 18 to kill a family at 180 mph.

but a 16 year old with a drivers license can ride a 50cc or less scooter (think tao tao) on public roads..

I agree with the motorcycle test, I don't want amateur riders weeble wobbling all over the street, but at the same time.. I've been riding motorized two wheelers of one sort of another for more than half my life.. Why do I need to sit in a 3 day long mandatory class and watch amateurs fall over in parkings lots on hot rebel 250s?

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Tucker