Motorised tricycle [Gnat]
Maker and role
J Cameron Lewis & Company Limited, Manufacturer
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
2014.243
Description
Three wheeled motorised tricycle featuring a red painted frame, no bodywork. Has black padded vinyl seat. Villiers engine at reverse.
Brief History
Gnat Mk 1
The Gnat is a three-wheeled powered tricycle that was produced between 1965 and 1973 in Christchurch. Like the Trekka, it is another example in the MOTAT Collection of how tight import restrictions led to local design and production of a motor vehicle. Cameron Lewis’ idea to produce the Gnat was in response to safety issues caused by overloaded farm bikes.
The Gnat was designed with lower pressure tyres to gain traction on rough ground, making the vehicle a precursor to All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). They were able to seat two people, with an empty weight of 145kg and a max speed of 32 km/h. The Mk 1 was powered by a 2-stroke Villiers engine, while later models were powered by a stationery Honda engine and a 9hp Briggs & Stratton engine with a Ford 10 gearbox in the Mk3. Simple to steer, they used a tiller system, meaning you would move the tiller in the opposite direction you wanted to go.
They became popular in New Zealand with farmers, hunters and fishermen because of their off-roading abilities. Their success led to NASA contacting Cameron Lewis & Company Ltd. to purchase one for possible use in space exploration and, for a time, the company diverted efforts into this development. Production of Gnats eventually ceased because the manufacturing company were challenged by lack of access to testing facilities, as well the limitations brought about by batch production.
The Gnat is a three-wheeled powered tricycle that was produced between 1965 and 1973 in Christchurch. Like the Trekka, it is another example in the MOTAT Collection of how tight import restrictions led to local design and production of a motor vehicle. Cameron Lewis’ idea to produce the Gnat was in response to safety issues caused by overloaded farm bikes.
The Gnat was designed with lower pressure tyres to gain traction on rough ground, making the vehicle a precursor to All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). They were able to seat two people, with an empty weight of 145kg and a max speed of 32 km/h. The Mk 1 was powered by a 2-stroke Villiers engine, while later models were powered by a stationery Honda engine and a 9hp Briggs & Stratton engine with a Ford 10 gearbox in the Mk3. Simple to steer, they used a tiller system, meaning you would move the tiller in the opposite direction you wanted to go.
They became popular in New Zealand with farmers, hunters and fishermen because of their off-roading abilities. Their success led to NASA contacting Cameron Lewis & Company Ltd. to purchase one for possible use in space exploration and, for a time, the company diverted efforts into this development. Production of Gnats eventually ceased because the manufacturing company were challenged by lack of access to testing facilities, as well the limitations brought about by batch production.
Marks
USE TWO STROKE / MIX ONLY / 20 : -1 Sticker
Media/Materials
Credit Line
J Cameron Lewis & Company Limited. Motorised tricycle [Gnat], 2014.243. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
On display?
On display
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