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| 1951 |
Other |
2 Door Convertible |
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1951 Thrif-T
Made by the Tri-Wheel Motor Corp.
Between 1947-1955
Made in the USA.
Only one Still Know to Exist
Car was first manufactured in Oxford, NC then moved operations to Springfield, MA where this car was produced. There are no known production figures on the car and it is the only known surviving example as of today. President of the company Mr. C.D. Gill said that they would produce around 500 units per month in early 1947. Car did not go into production until March 1948 and then was quoted to produce around 50 units per month. When reading articles, production was quoted to be 25 units. Nobody knows how many where actually produced. Car has gone through a full frame off restoration and restored back to the original Yellow exterior through color matching from the cars sill plates. Car was only produced in two factory stock colors which where Hawaiian Gray and Lockhaven Green and any other colors where available at additional cost according to the sales brochure. The top and side curtains where only available in the color Black. Car is powered down the road to a top speed of 40 MPH powered by it’s original Air Cooled 10 HP Onan opposed twin engine, then all of it’s 62.5 cu in displacement goes into a 3-speed transmission then into the rear end, which they used from the Crosley Corporation. Cars most unusual feature is that you can remove the motor, transmission and rear end in under 30 minutes, they sit in a “Cradle” that holds everything in place. Under the seat is a trailer ball hitch set-up that unbolts the “Cradle” system from the body. The car was produced with no brakes on the front and no shocks mounted anywhere to smooth out the ride. The cars rear end uses a different backing plate set up with 9” brakes mounted to them for the stopping ability. This car has all of its number matching components and only had 5,500 original miles on it before Paul Zalutko (who has done a few award winning cars in his time and just happens to be the brother of the owner) did a full frame off restoration. After the full frame off was done it went to Penn-Dutch Restorations for the new top with side curtains which where matched from the original ones that came with the car. Jeff Hammer owner of Penn-Dutch did his magic on the interior that only has a simple seat with no inner door panels or kick panels since you have to remember that this car is “Thrif-T”. Everything on the car has been restored back to original specs from gauges to wheel bearings. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions at 570-283-8422
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| Submitted by: thrif-t
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