This painting by Henry Alken in the mid 1800’s clearly shows many steam powered 3-wheelers and a bleak vision of a new transport era. (Source Unknown)

1801

Richard Trevithick creates the World’s first “Passenger car”,  A huge steam powered vehicle. (UK)

1833

Dr Church’s steam coach runs daily from Birmingham to London carrying up to 44 people at an average speed of 14mph. (UK)

1865

Introduction of the Road and Locomotives Highway Act.  The act that killed the development of transport in the UK as it required a person to walk ahead of the car waving a red flag to warn other road users.  Drivers could not exceed 2 mph in towns and 4mph in the country side. (Also known as the “Red Flag Act”)

1884

1885

1888

1896

Edward Butler exhibits plans for a petrol powered vehicle at the Stanley Cycle Show, London. (UK)

Karl Benz unveils the World’s first motorcar - The Benz Motorwagen. (Germany)

World’s first motorcar advert appears for the Benz Motorwagen. (Germany)

John Henry Knight builds first petrol car to run on British soil. (UK)

1896

Emancipation act passed that relieves the need for a person to walk in front of a car.  Speed limit of “light vehicles” increased to 12mph. (UK)

1900

1903

1910

1910

1912

1913

1921

1929

1935

1939

1947

1949

1956

1961

1963

1964

1964

1996

1999

2000

2001

2005

2008

2010

2011

2012

Many bicycle companies start to produce 3-wheeled “forecars”.

Motor car act passed that raises speed limit from 12 to 20mph and all cars must now have a number plate. (UK)

Morgan Motor Company founded by H.F.S Morgan (UK)

A Morgan 3-wheeler enters the first London - Exeter two day trial and wins gold medal. (UK)

Cyclecar magazine introduced to stimulate 3-wheeler industry (UK)

Many 3-wheeler manufacturers vanish with the onset of World War 1

Motor Taxation Act introduced that taxes private cars £1 per horsepower. (UK)

Wall Street Crash - results in the need for light “cycle-car” 3-wheeler manufacturers.

Reliant Motor Company founded by Tom Williams  (UK)

World War II break out crippling motor industry

World’s largest production 3-wheeler manufactured, the Davis can carry seven adults. (USA)

Bond Mini Car introduced by Laurie Bond (UK)

Suez Crisis, many 3-wheeler manufacturers appear as the price of petrol soars.

The 3-wheelers.com vehicle (Lucie - a Reliant Regal Mk VI van) is built.

Reliant develop 600cc overhead valve unit which is Britain’s first flowline light alloy motor vehicle engine.

Spirit of America records a speed of 566.27 mph becoming the World’s fastest jet powered 3-wheeler.

World’s smallest production 3-wheeler manufactured.  The 49cc Peel P50.(Isle of Man)

The road legal Combidrive Mouse sets a record for the lowest petrol consumption of 568mpg. (UK)

Fastest road legal 3-wheeler produced.  The Vigillante has a top speed in excess of 200mph and a 0-60 mph time of 3 seconds. (USA)

3-wheelers.com web site first appears online. (UK)

Reliant Motor Company cease making 3-wheeled vehicles after 65 years of manufacture. (UK)

3-wheelers.com reaches 1,000 pages and has its first book, “How to restore Reliant Regal” published. (UK)

3-wheelers.com has its 1,000,000th hit and has its second book, “Reliant North Cape Challenge 2008” published. (UK)

3-wheelers.com celebrates its 10th birthday.

3-wheelers.com reaches 2,000 pages and has its third book, “The Reliant Three-Wheeler 1935-1973” published with co-author Stuart Cyphus. (UK)

Morgan reintroduce their infamous 3-wheeler

3-wheelers.com has its fourth book, “The Reliant Three-Wheeler 1973-2002” published with co-author Stuart Cyphus. (UK)