In a previous thread* I brought up the possibility of Western European Microcar Regulations resembling Japan's Kei Car Class after WW2 that can be driven on a motorcycle license, meanwhile in France there exists a small vehicle class called VSP* or Voiture Sans Permis that can be driven without any license (with Italy being another place where 3-wheelers for example can be driven without any license).
* Previous Thread - https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/what-if-–-western-european-microcar-regulations-resembled-japans-kei-cars.393706/
* France's VSP Cars - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-35210572
Now what-if there was a further vehicle class below the ATL European Microcars that would come to be known as Bubble Cars (or another name such as Urban-Auto, etc) and largely resembling OTL France’s VSP class or regular motorised tricycles / quadricycles, typically being 350-550cc 3/4-wheeler 1/2-seater vehicles that can be driven with NO license by teens, elderly, disabled, those who lost their license and those too lazy / cheap to acquire a license?
What would be the best way to balance out a non-French VSP-derived “Bubble Car” class that is a slightly more attractive proposition, with other larger 3/4-wheeled vehicles that either require a motorcycle license (ATL European Microcar) or regular car license so all 3 segments have their appeal yet do not steal sales from each other?
The following is a rough idea of what I had in mind for the ATL Bubble Car Class and how it compares with the ATL Microcar segments in the previous thread from Post-WW2 up to the present day.
ATL Bubble Car Class Specs
· No License (yet requiring a few hours of lessons and possibly a theory test)
· 1/2/3-seater max for 4-wheelers and 3-wheelers
· 350-550cc and 30-38 hp 4-wheeler maximum / 550-900cc and 40 hp 3-wheeler maximum
· Maximum 4-wheeler Weight 550kg / Maximum 3-wheeler Weight 650kg
· Top Speed – later limited to 50-70 mph
· Dimensions – Roughly similar to 1955 Kei Car Class
· OTL 1-Seater Example -HMV Freeway: 3-wheeler / Daihatsu Midget II: 4-wheeler
· OTL 2-Seater Example - Bond Bug or Messerschmitt KR200: 3-wheeler / FMR Tg500 or Suzuki Twin: 4-wheeler
· OTL 3-Seater Example - Mathis 333: 3-wheeler / Murray T25: 4-wheeler
ATL Microcar Class Specs
· Motorcycle License minimum
· 4-seater max for 4-wheelers and 3-wheelers
· 550-750cc and 76 hp 4-wheeler maximum / 900-1000cc and 60 hp 3-wheeler maximum
· Maximum Weight 750kg for 4-wheeler and 3-wheelers
· Top Speed – later limited to 85 mph
· Dimensions – Roughly similar to 1990 Kei Car Class
· OTL Example – Classic Fiat 500 (albeit with width reduced by 2-inches)
* Previous Thread - https://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/what-if-–-western-european-microcar-regulations-resembled-japans-kei-cars.393706/
* France's VSP Cars - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-35210572
Now what-if there was a further vehicle class below the ATL European Microcars that would come to be known as Bubble Cars (or another name such as Urban-Auto, etc) and largely resembling OTL France’s VSP class or regular motorised tricycles / quadricycles, typically being 350-550cc 3/4-wheeler 1/2-seater vehicles that can be driven with NO license by teens, elderly, disabled, those who lost their license and those too lazy / cheap to acquire a license?
What would be the best way to balance out a non-French VSP-derived “Bubble Car” class that is a slightly more attractive proposition, with other larger 3/4-wheeled vehicles that either require a motorcycle license (ATL European Microcar) or regular car license so all 3 segments have their appeal yet do not steal sales from each other?
The following is a rough idea of what I had in mind for the ATL Bubble Car Class and how it compares with the ATL Microcar segments in the previous thread from Post-WW2 up to the present day.
ATL Bubble Car Class Specs
· No License (yet requiring a few hours of lessons and possibly a theory test)
· 1/2/3-seater max for 4-wheelers and 3-wheelers
· 350-550cc and 30-38 hp 4-wheeler maximum / 550-900cc and 40 hp 3-wheeler maximum
· Maximum 4-wheeler Weight 550kg / Maximum 3-wheeler Weight 650kg
· Top Speed – later limited to 50-70 mph
· Dimensions – Roughly similar to 1955 Kei Car Class
· OTL 1-Seater Example -HMV Freeway: 3-wheeler / Daihatsu Midget II: 4-wheeler
· OTL 2-Seater Example - Bond Bug or Messerschmitt KR200: 3-wheeler / FMR Tg500 or Suzuki Twin: 4-wheeler
· OTL 3-Seater Example - Mathis 333: 3-wheeler / Murray T25: 4-wheeler
ATL Microcar Class Specs
· Motorcycle License minimum
· 4-seater max for 4-wheelers and 3-wheelers
· 550-750cc and 76 hp 4-wheeler maximum / 900-1000cc and 60 hp 3-wheeler maximum
· Maximum Weight 750kg for 4-wheeler and 3-wheelers
· Top Speed – later limited to 85 mph
· Dimensions – Roughly similar to 1990 Kei Car Class
· OTL Example – Classic Fiat 500 (albeit with width reduced by 2-inches)
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