"Groagun" (groagun)
11/04/2013 at 23:40 • Filed to: None
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"Groagun" (groagun)
11/04/2013 at 23:40 • Filed to: None | 1
| 37 |
I have a secret fetish: it's this !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
When I first saw this on Top Gear I got so horny for this car/motorcycle. I watched the video maybe a dozen times trying to get as much information as possible with one goal in mind: Get one of these one day! Jay Leno also had the Carver in his garage some time later and was even more informative.
It looked cool, from the future and the fun in which both Richard and Jeremy had in the Carver was so intoxicating I couldn't resist. The very essence of what I think we love and have in common as car and motoring enthusiasts was completely embodied in the Carver. Simply but boldly it was just fun!
Not just a car guy, I am also a motorcyclist. While there are parallels and similar emotions involved in two wheels compared to four wheels there are also marked and stark differences. The Carver shattered those differences and combined the best of both worlds.
Sadly but truthfully, practicality must inevitably rear it's ugly head and enter the equation. What need did the Carver satisfy for the average motorist: Was the Carver a realistic and practical solution for driving everyday: Did or could the economics make sense and present a viable business plan and path to profitability? There were many questions to be asked and answered and sadly, at the time, there were no good answers to be had. Except one maybe, that seemed to not be asked.
When the episode aired way back in 2003, yes ten years ago, no one seemed to ask about the viability of the Carver to be an everyday commuter car or city car. I have to admit I didn't think of that at the time either but it seemed plain as day to me just a few years later.
So here we are today and the prompting for this article was this post on AutoBlog Green !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
The very purpose for the Toyota iRoad is the fulfillment of the Carver dream: at least from the commuter/city car stand point. No it's not the performance car the Carver was meant to be but the principal is the same.
How many of us need only one seat to perform our daily work duties and commuting commitments. Always remember that commuting to work is not driving! Commuting is a commitment we adhere to to pay our bills, feed our families and put roofs over our heads. Practical 'grown up' stuff that does not take into consideration our love and passion for driving. What if I told you though that you could purchase a vehicle the even while commuting, would spark the passion and maybe even thrill you everyday.
Sure a 458 Italia would do the same thing but it's a bit out of most of our bank balances. The Carver was designed to compete with higher end motorcycles. I wont call it cheap but $15-$20 grand or $250K for the Ferrari. I haven't even mentioned insurance, maintenance, not having to join creepy old men wearing to much cologne and an abundance of gold chains you can see as their shirts are buttoned down to their belly buttons.
So, the thrill of sitting in a weather proof and sealed car, sitting comfortably, having the ability to take passengers in relative comfort, see Top Gear video for reference, all while experiencing the same forces and fun of a motorcycle. Oh and it's practical as a commuter/city car.
The Toyota again is different from the Carver but they at least tackle the real problem with inner city travel and personal mobility in a new, fun, exciting and practical application.
I have no hope that Toyota will produce and sell the iRoad but Carver is still in business and there is hope. I have promised myself that someday I will visit them and see if they will build me one. Back in 2003 it didn't seem practical but today it just makes sense to me.
(Updated March 21/2014) It seems Toyota wants to stroke my fetish with an actual public trial run of their i-Road prototype in Japan. WCF has a post and quick video of the car. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
I know it will not come to NA but one can dream: wouldn't it be great in a place like NY? Perhaps a trip to Tokyo is in order now.
Brian, The Life of
> Groagun
11/05/2013 at 02:29 |
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I'm reminded of the Flexit, something else I wish had caught on.
Garland - Last Top Comment on Splinter
> Groagun
11/05/2013 at 07:36 |
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Or you could just get one of these enclosed scooters:
I've seen them with attachable canvas doors, so they can be fully enclosed for bad weather driving. Probably doesn't have a heater, but otherwise it fulfils the same purpose as the Carver: fun of a bike with car-like weather protection. Also cheaper, simpler, and actually in production.
Hshsjsjshsksjsk
> Garland - Last Top Comment on Splinter
11/05/2013 at 08:11 |
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I thought these were no longer in production, and never imported to the States.
Nacon
> Groagun
11/05/2013 at 08:21 |
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You shoulda see this, from the same folks worked on the Carver.
The leaning ATV.
zadtheinhaler
> Garland - Last Top Comment on Splinter
11/05/2013 at 08:26 |
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Holy shit, are you saying they still make the C1? Damn, I don't need to know this, dude...
SGTalon
> Groagun
11/05/2013 at 08:35 |
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I think if this was available in the US for a reasonable price I would get one. I have been watching this since 2003 when it was on some British TV show. Maybe it was yours I don't remember anymore.
But it was one of those, hey lets spend all our money making it a Hybrid and it never materialized anywhere. Bring me one already!
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Garland - Last Top Comment on Splinter
> zadtheinhaler
11/05/2013 at 08:37 |
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Well. . . I know they were in production at one point, unlike the Carver. I remember seeing them everywhere when I visited Rome 6 years ago.
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zadtheinhaler
> Garland - Last Top Comment on Splinter
11/05/2013 at 09:01 |
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I'd love to bomb around an ancient European city in one! It's gotta be damn near perfect for the job.
Mister Win Blames People, Not Guns
> Groagun
11/05/2013 at 09:13 |
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Yeah, I'm still holding my breath on a Carver-type tourer-or maybe a Can-Am that leans- but there are some decent choices to be had if you can live without the lean angle, like the SS Trike:
It's not that easy to find one, but it wouldn't be cool if it was. If you like your trikes reversed, hate the Can-Am and have a thing for vaporware, there's the TriRod F3:
Seriously, if Polaris can buy Indian AND Victory, this should be cake for them to scoop up, I think this dream died in 2008 with Pontiac... But I still want one!
killerkoolaid37
> Groagun
11/05/2013 at 09:20 |
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Don't get me wrong, I loved the Carver and all of it's spawn, but I want the one with all the options... the one that doesn't need roads to get anywhere. I give you, the PAL-V. (Skip to 2:00 to see it carving like the Carver... :) )
dreygata
> Hshsjsjshsksjsk
11/05/2013 at 09:27 |
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I've seen one here in Alabama, and a couple around DC, so I'd say they've been imported, just probably in tiny quantities.
Evil13
> Nacon
11/05/2013 at 09:34 |
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If I was a browncoat, I'd buy that in a heartbeat and use it as a daily driver.
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GotStrange
> Groagun
11/05/2013 at 09:38 |
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I have had the same dream of owning a Carver (which went out of business) for years. I went as far as calling and begging them to ship me one in pieces, but unfortunately it was a no go. I would love to build a vehicle similar to the Carver or even build one that combines that with the Aprilia Magnet concept. If we can make it look like the Mazda Kaan concept I would dedicate my life to making it a success. I feel a vehicle like this at the right price would do well and would give those poor people riding the reverse trikes a real chance to feel what it is like to fly down the road.
Cé hé sin
> Garland - Last Top Comment on Splinter
11/05/2013 at 10:04 |
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Not in production any more, sadly. BMW gave up on the idea as not enough people were willing to convert cash into a C1.
vailima750
> Groagun
11/05/2013 at 10:42 |
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Linkage Peter Dinklage:
ament001
> Groagun
11/05/2013 at 10:50 |
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I'm sure it doesn't fail often, but I'm guessing it fails spectacularly when it does.
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CelrDwelr
> Groagun
11/05/2013 at 10:55 |
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These people have a different solution to the enclosed motorcycle question.
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CelrDwelr
> Mister Win Blames People, Not Guns
11/05/2013 at 11:07 |
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Here's that guy as a kid:
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Mister Win Blames People, Not Guns
> CelrDwelr
11/05/2013 at 11:12 |
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That... is the first concept for the SS Trike.
BonusMaximus
> Groagun
11/05/2013 at 11:30 |
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I want one of these so bad it breaks my heart.
Needless to say, I try to keep up with these in the hopes that someday it will be available to us in the States. An entity called Persu has a website up that claims to be using this technology in a hybrid that will/won't/will be made available in the US. Go here to check out the vaporware:
I would love something like this that just seats one. If they'd slap an enclosed cabin on a Can Am Spyder I'd buy that. A T-rex, even. Hell, a be-freaking Messerschmitt. I already ride a motorcycle so am ready to die like a Viking.
61hp
> Groagun
11/05/2013 at 12:39 |
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After seeing the Carver on Top Gear it shot to the top of my lust list. Then there was the electric version/hybrid version that licensed the design, and I had hope of actually seeing one in the US, but of course this fizzled.
Now I am holding out hope the LIT Motors actually gets up to production. Self stabilizing, leaning motorcycle-thingy? Get the price to 10k or so and sign me up.
Ian Bruce
> Groagun
11/05/2013 at 13:08 |
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Have you driven one yourself?
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Groagun
> CelrDwelr
11/05/2013 at 16:04 |
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I laughed my ass off at this. That is me! He looks like I did right down to the shirt.
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Groagun
> Mister Win Blames People, Not Guns
11/05/2013 at 16:05 |
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Never thought of the Can-Am Spider, great idea.
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Groagun
> GotStrange
11/05/2013 at 16:20 |
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I like your style Sir! When I visit them I will let you know how it goes.
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Groagun
> BonusMaximus
11/05/2013 at 16:24 |
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Well as many Viking died from either being impaled on a sword or of disease, I hope neither happens to you. But I share in your dream and this was the company that was on Jay Leno's Garage I mentioned.
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Groagun
> ament001
11/05/2013 at 16:26 |
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Is there any other way too go?
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Groagun
> Ian Bruce
11/05/2013 at 16:27 |
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I haven't yet but I swear I will. I hope to visit them in the relative near future and at least try one. For now it's just a dream:(
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Groagun
> CelrDwelr
11/05/2013 at 16:31 |
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I loved my Big Wheels so much, I wore out the all 3 tires. Two years ago my nephew turned four and I tracked down the company that builds the original Big Wheels and I ordered one for him. What a thrill for me and he loved it, now I have to get two more for his brothers!
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Groagun
> zadtheinhaler
11/05/2013 at 16:35 |
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Hahaha!
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Nacon
> Evil13
11/05/2013 at 19:38 |
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You're already a browncoat, pal. ;)
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CelrDwelr
> Groagun
11/05/2013 at 22:59 |
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Ah, fond memories.
humz
> Groagun
11/06/2013 at 06:48 |
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Not that it is super relevant, as they obviously never produced it, but I instantly thought of the Mercedes Lifejet F300 Concept. Uglier than sin, but did that same thing. I was fascinated when it was released.. anyway.. here it is.. the man driving has a handsome mustache as well.
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Ian Bruce
> Groagun
11/06/2013 at 09:36 |
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I have more hours than anyone in the US. BTW: The illustration at the upper right side is mine. How does one find your email address?
AbeVigodasSon
> 61hp
11/06/2013 at 12:48 |
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Wait...what? I want one now!
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Groagun
> Ian Bruce
11/06/2013 at 16:35 |
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Found the image on Google and loved it.
groagun@yahoo.com
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Groagun
> humz
11/06/2013 at 16:36 |
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Never seen this before, thanks for posting it for us.