The Dymaxion Car: The Weird and Wonderful Three-Wheeler

[@keithammleter3824]

The Dymaxion car was a daft thing. Inherently unstable, it was mechanically a V8 Ford Model A going backwards. The engine was installed backwards and drove the front wheels via the standard Ford differential installed upside down in order to rotate the wheels in the right direction. and the single rear wheel steered the car. Now, imagine driving a conventional car down the freeway, and you go to pull out and pass. When you turn the steering wheel towards the empty lane you want, the front of the car moves toward and into that lane, which is just what you want. Now, imagine driving the Dymaxion down the freeway, and you go to pull out and pass. When you turn the steering wheel towards the lane you want, the rear of the car swings toward and into the opposite lane, and if you don't hit the car beside you in that lane, you will at least frighten the heck out of the driver, who will take dramatic emergency action.

[@wonyankeesays5661]

A strange vehicle

[@stinkymccheese8010]

If I remember correctly the rear steering was put aside because it was complicated and most people would find it difficult to adapt to Bucky himself had an accident due to that fact.

[@grizwoldphantasia5005]

Yes, rear steering was a bad choice. Anyone who has pushed a grocery cart or wagon backwards know how different it is. It seems especially bad in traffic, with the back end moving away from the turn at first, like a ship.

[@adamlytle2615]

If only the second Dymaxion survived, how come there are two in that last photo? Is one a recreation? And if so, which one?

[@retrocarchannel]

As I understand it, it was built from blueprints created by enthusiasts.

[@jourwalis-8875]

Rear engine, rear wheel drive! And a heavy Ford V8 engine at the back. A totally disastrous design!

[@arcanondrum6543]

Paraphrasing from an article about Fuller and the Dymaxion (content is accurate, quote may not be exact); _'...Fuller was driving the Dymaxion in the city and stopped to ask a Traffic Policeman...'_ [in the middle of the road, directing traffic and serving as sort of a traffic light, which was still common at the time] _'..."how to get to such and such Address" which Fuller knew was behind him. Fuller had placed his hand on the Policeman's shoulder. When the directions were given, Fuller turned the Dymaxion around 180 degrees without taking his hand off of the Policeman's shoulder.'_ That was from The Saturday Evening Post or some similar magazine from many decades ago. Obviously, it stuck with me.

[@jeffwier696]

What an odd looking vehicle! My first thought was potential for roll-over gotta admit, she's very sleek on the exterior and the interior looks very plush and comfy. And she's got plenty of power! Thanx again!

[@hotrodZack1948]

I seem to remember someone on the hamb found one on the east coast.

[@modelermark172]

In defense of "Bucky," there was no CAD - much less computers in the way we think of them, today - when he conceived and built the Dymaxion Car. The disadvantages of rear-wheel steering and the disorientation caused by putting the driver ahead of the front wheels (a foreshadowing of the Pink Panther Mobile?) could not be fully known in advance unless a full-size example was actually built and road tested. I definitely have to give this Old-School, American Renaissance Man credit for doing; even if he ultimately found himself at a dead-end. Thanks for doing the research and sharing this with us! 72nd Like.

[@PRH123]

Yes kudos on rethinking auto design and trying to inspire development, but suspension and steering design was pretty well understood by that time, cad isn’t needed for that. Designers knew not to do things like rear wheel steering. Fuller didn’t have the background to know he was getting into an area that he shouldn’t, and seemingly didn’t consult with experts on that part of the design.

[@jourwalis-8875]

No steering on the front wheels?

[@SequoiaX]

No.

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

THANKS RETRO,FOR SHARING THIS UNIQUE VEHICLE 🤗😎💚💚💚