Richard Buckminster Fuller was an inspiring crack-pot who often got details wrong but had a grand vision. One aspect was the Dymaxion car which had space for eight people, travelled at the speed of an airplane and had the fuel economy of a motorbike. While he was not present in the prototype, a fatal crash occurred. This restrained development. However, I wonder if something more like his buildings would be suitable for a vehicle. Specifically, the general plan was to keep heavy stuff at the bottom (generators, air conditioning units) and have a geometric structure above it for strength and safety.
So, perhaps it would be possible to make a pyramid car from tubular steel. It would be very much like a section of a crane but on wheels. There would be three versions: small, medium and large. The small version would just be a pyramid on wheels. The engine would be under the rear seats. The medium version would have a dedicated section at the front for an engine. The large version would have a hood and truck. Steering would be left, right or center. Center drive (like a McLaren F1) provides extra legroom for rear passengers.
Indicators and suchlike would use the cell network protocol and there would be no CANBus DRM. And there would be no iPhone dock or suchlike. Instead, the dashboard has 4U of racking on the left and right. 2U or more may be reserved statutory indicators, such as speedometer. However, 4U or more is available for customization. Perhaps you'd like a 1500W amplifier (and an auxillary alternator to power it)? Perhaps you'd like a dedicated war-driving unit and a more moderate jukebox? Unfortunately, there is no space for an 11U beer fridge.
Safety comes first. All seats have five point safety belts. Racking provides additional heat protection from engine fire. And in a collision with another vehicle, the tubular steel ensures that the other vehicle is the crumple zone. It may look ugly, it isn't particularly aerodynamic, but it is difficult to steal, difficult to roll and harder to injure or kill yourself.
My Ideal Car
(This is the 40th of many promised articles which explain an idea in isolation. It is hoped that ideas may be adapted, linked together and implemented.)
Richard Buckminster Fuller was an inspiring crack-pot who often got details wrong but had a grand vision. One aspect was the Dymaxion car which had space for eight people, travelled at the speed of an airplane and had the fuel economy of a motorbike. While he was not present in the prototype, a fatal crash occurred. This restrained development. However, I wonder if something more like his buildings would be suitable for a vehicle. Specifically, the general plan was to keep heavy stuff at the bottom (generators, air conditioning units) and have a geometric structure above it for strength and safety.
So, perhaps it would be possible to make a pyramid car from tubular steel. It would be very much like a section of a crane but on wheels. There would be three versions: small, medium and large. The small version would just be a pyramid on wheels. The engine would be under the rear seats. The medium version would have a dedicated section at the front for an engine. The large version would have a hood and truck. Steering would be left, right or center. Center drive (like a McLaren F1) provides extra legroom for rear passengers.
Indicators and suchlike would use the cell network protocol and there would be no CANBus DRM. And there would be no iPhone dock or suchlike. Instead, the dashboard has 4U of racking on the left and right. 2U or more may be reserved statutory indicators, such as speedometer. However, 4U or more is available for customization. Perhaps you'd like a 1500W amplifier (and an auxillary alternator to power it)? Perhaps you'd like a dedicated war-driving unit and a more moderate jukebox? Unfortunately, there is no space for an 11U beer fridge.
Safety comes first. All seats have five point safety belts. Racking provides additional heat protection from engine fire. And in a collision with another vehicle, the tubular steel ensures that the other vehicle is the crumple zone. It may look ugly, it isn't particularly aerodynamic, but it is difficult to steal, difficult to roll and harder to injure or kill yourself.
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