scottwood

Info:

In a heartwarming blend of imagination and engineering, BMW USA took on the whimsical challenge of designing a concept car based on the wild specifications dreamed up by a 4-year-old boy named Eli.

Inspired by a conversation with his uncle, a Jalopnik reader, Eli envisioned a BMW with 42 wheels, 19 Porsche engines boasting a combined 8,721 horsepower, three steering wheels that could all control the car simultaneously, and a trunk full of toys to play in. The idea gained traction when his uncle shared the specs with the Jalopnik community, prompting BMW’s marketing team to bring this fantastical “4219Eli” to life as a conceptual design, complete with a playful nod to the young gearhead’s vision.

BMW’s rendition, showcased on their Facebook page, embraced Eli’s core ideas—42 wheels for a 42-wheel-drive setup and a toy-filled trunk—while adding a touch of their own flair, like features inspired by the BMW Z3.

The automaker cleverly sidestepped the logistics of 19 water-cooled, turbocharged Porsche boxer engines, focusing instead on a visually striking concept that captured the spirit of Eli’s dream.

Dubbed the “4219ELi” (42 wheels, 19 engines, Extra Long wheelbase, and fuel injection), this quirky creation won’t hit dealerships, but it highlights BMW’s willingness to engage with fans in a fun, imaginative way. “Eli, we think you might be onto something,” BMW USA posted, hinting that this 4-year-old’s boundless creativity could inspire future design whimsy.

Other Entries (Not BMW):

Links: https://www.businessinsider.com/bmw-designs-42-wheel-car-for-4-year-old-2013-2

https://www.jalopnik.com/help-a-four-year-old-visualize-his-dream-car-5980101/

https://www.netimperative.com/2013/02/14/childs-play-bmw-designs-car-based-on-4-year-olds-idea/

https://www.chron.com/cars/article/BMW-designs-oddest-car-for-4-year-old-boy-4262824.php

Newspaper Exerpt:

A progressive citizen of Columbus, Ohio, anxious to emulate his more wealth neighbors in possessing an easy-going conveyance—and being possessed of one large he-goat, of whose electromotive force much has been printed, and more has been thought—conceived the scheme of harnessing the force in such a manner as would make it most easily controlled. Inability to protect the goat by letters patent or a copyright, leaves the invention open, so that whomsoever will may copy it.

Info:

The Poochmobile, a bizarre yet earnest experiment in alternative transportation, was built in 1939 by 80-year-old Z. Wiggs, a dog trainer and former railroad worker from Denton, Texas.

The contraption featured a large central “squirrel-cage” wheel powered by a single dog walking inside it, transmitting motion via a belt-and-pulley system to the rear wheels.

Wiggs envisioned it as a fuel-free solution to modern transport—a Depression-era glimpse at “green” mobility. Despite its ingenuity, the Poochmobile was widely viewed as charmingly impractical and never made it past the prototype stage.

Links: https://thehydrant.wordpress.com/tag/popular-mechanics/#%3A%7E%3Atext=DOG%2520power%2520drives%2520an%2520odd%2Ccontrols%2520by%2520a%2520%E2%80%9Cgearshift%E2%80%9D%2520lever

https://dentonlibrary.wordpress.com/2018/07/21/z-wiggs-reinvents-the-wheel/

Link: https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/67/71/d9/d55e39875f9557/US109644.pdf

Info:

The Cynosphere, a dog-powered tricycle, emerged in France around 1875-1880 as an experiment in animal-powered transportation, it was designed by a French engineer named Huret.

The design of the Cynosphere was both innovative and bizarre. It featured a tricycle layout with a small front wheel for steering and two large rear wheels, each resembling a circular cage.

Inside these wheels, dogs ran on treadmill-like tracks—described as a “squirrel cage” mechanism—propelling the vehicle forward. The operator sat in a sulky-style seat between the rear wheels, steering with the front wheel and motivating the dogs by dangling food or, in some cases, a cat as a crude throttle.

The name “Cynosphere” likely derives from the Greek word kyon (dog), with “sphere” possibly alluding to the wheel shape or the enclosed treadmills, though this remains speculative.

Mechanically, the Cynosphere faced significant challenges. The uneven torque produced by the dogs—whose efforts were rarely synchronized—made steering imprecise and cumbersome.

Critics, including early animal welfare advocates like The Society for the Protection of Animals, decried it as inefficient and cruel, arguing that the dogs’ confinement and exertion were unjustifiable for such a flawed machine.

The Cynosphere was briefly built and tested, as confirmed by the 1875 photograph, but its real-world application remained limited. Ethical backlash and the rapid rise of steam-powered vehicles hastened its decline, relegating it to obscurity by the late 19th century.

One intriguing rumor surrounds a supposed “ladies’ version” of the Cynosphere, allegedly powered by poodles. According to a single account from Ozebook (Website is Dead), this variant went into production but suffered from inconsistent power output—described as “flat spots in the power curve”—due to the poodles’ uneven performance. However, this claim lacks corroboration from other historical records, such as the Popular Science article, casting doubt on its veracity.

Links: https://improbable.com/2010/02/16/dog-powered-vehicle-1880/?amp=1

Info:

The Rinspeed sQuba, unveiled at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, is a groundbreaking concept car designed to operate seamlessly on both land and underwater. Its creation was the realization of a three-decade-long dream for Rinspeed founder Frank M. Rinderknecht, inspired by the iconic Lotus Esprit submarine from the James Bond film "The Spy Who Loved Me."

Based on a Lotus Elise chassis, the sQuba underwent extensive modifications, replacing its combustion engine with multiple electric motors—one for land propulsion and two for underwater operation, complemented by powerful Seabob jet drives.

This innovative design allows the sQuba to dive to depths of up to 10 meters, with a waterproof body and an interior crafted from salt-water-resistant materials, including mother-of-pearl trim, emphasizing its unique dual-environment capabilities.

Despite its remarkable engineering and a development cost exceeding US$1.5 million, the Rinspeed sQuba has remained a prototype with no plans for mass production. It was envisioned more as a luxury "toy for rich people" than a commercially viable vehicle, a sentiment echoed by Rinderknecht himself due to its limited appeal.

Nevertheless, the sQuba's legacy in the automotive world is significant. Its zero-emission powertrain and advanced materials showcased technologies ahead of their time, influencing future innovations in electric mobility and amphibious vehicle design.

The extensive media coverage and its presence at the Geneva Motor Show solidified its status as a symbol of Rinspeed's audacious creativity and engineering excellence, leaving a lasting impact on automotive enthusiasts and designers.

Links: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rinspeed_sQuba

https://www.topspeed.com/cars/rinspeed/2008-rinspeed-squba-ar52400/

https://www.rinspeed.com/en/sQuba_30_concept-car.html

Info:

In 2022, Gwent Police introduced four electric tuk-tuks to enhance community safety in Newport and Abergavenny, Wales. Funded by the Home Office’s Safer Streets programme, these vehicles act as mobile “safe spaces” where residents can report incidents, seek assistance, or receive crime prevention advice, especially in public areas like parks and walkways.

The initiative has garnered 'positive feedback', with parents and women reporting feeling 'safer'—particularly at night—due to the increased visibility and accessibility of police support.

Despite the 'positive' reception, the tuk-tuks have faced criticism over their cost and practicality. Priced at £9,936 each, the total £39,744 investment has sparked debate about government funding priorities, with critics suggesting the money could have bolstered traditional policing resources instead.

Furthermore, their limited speed (under 35mph) and three-wheeled design raise questions about their effectiveness for tasks like high speed pursuits or navigating challenging terrain, highlighting a broader discussion on balancing 'innovative' (stupid) approaches with practical law enforcement needs.

Links:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-63378312

https://www.gwent.police.uk/news/gwent/news/news/2022/october/new-tuk-tuks-provide-additional-support-to-newport-and-abergavenny-residents/

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The Reyonnah A175 Roadster was developed by Robert Hannoyer in the late 1940s, during a period of post-World War II austerity when small, fuel-efficient vehicles were in demand. The car, named after an anagram of Hannoyer’s surname, debuted at the 1950 Paris Motor Show, receiving positive press and generating orders.

However, despite initial interest, mass production did not materialize, and only about 16 units were built between 1951 and 1954. The car participated in various events, including setting speed records at Montlhéry and appearing in concours d’élégance, but logistical challenges and lack of support from major automakers limited its production.

Sources: https://silodrome.com/reyonnah-175-car/ https://www.rmw.lv/car/en/a175-roadster https://www.classicdriver.com/en/car/reyonnah/1951/1951/884367

1964 MODEL:

1965-67 MODEL A:

1965-67 MODEL B:

1970 MODEL:

1971 COUPE MODEL:

1971 COUPE MODEL F:

ALL MODELS:

Info:

The Urbanina was a pioneering electric microcar produced in Italy from 1964 to 1973. Designed by Marquis Pier Girolamo Bargagli Bardi Bandini and Narciso Cristiani in an 18th-century villa in the Tuscan countryside, it aimed to provide a compact, zero-emission vehicle for urban mobility.

It was showcased at the Turin Motor Show in 1965 and 1966, with a patent granted in 1977. Despite initial plans for mass production and thousands of reported orders, only a few units were built due to technological constraints, such as limited battery and electronic capabilities, and low environmental awareness at the time.

Production ceased in the early 1970s, and the project was sold to Zagato, which repurposed it into the Zele model, later exported to the U.S. as the Elcar 1000.

Source: https://www.mudeto.it/urbanina_piero_girolamo_bargagli_bardi_bandini_narciso_cristiani_bargagli_e_cristiani_urbanina.htm

This is the most comprehensive researched topic on this car on the internet, it has taken me days and I still haven't found the bottom.

You won't find anything else like this anywhere apart from here, enjoy.

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MODEL A (AROUND 2000): Stargazing Commercial (2000)

Ronald & Me Commercial (2000)

Time Travel Commercial (2001)

MODEL A (2000-NOW): Construction by Global Entertainment Industries

MODEL A (AROUND 2006): McKids Adventures: Treasure Hunt with Ronald (2006)

MODEL A (AROUND 2010): Driving to Work Commercial (2010)

MODEL B (AROUND 2002-2012):

MODEL C (POST 2002):

MODEL D (AROUND 2001):

MODEL E (POST 2010):

UNKNOWN MODEL (AROUND 2010): I CAN NOT FIND WHETHER THIS ONE IS OFFICIAL OR UNOFFICIAL.

PROTOTYPE MODEL B (2002):

KIDDIE RIDE: LOST IMAGE, HAD A MOTHER PUTTING HER SON IN IT, SHOPPING MAL, BEHIND THE MOTHER IS A LARGE GLASS WINDOW WITH SUNLIGHT STREAMING THROUGH.

PLAY STRUCTURE (Morgan City, Louisiana): It is from: MCDONALD'S, MORGAN CITY 3.6 6387 US HIGHWAY 90 EAST, MORGAN CITY, LA 70380, USA

PLAY STRUCTURE (Albuquerque, New Mexico):

PLAY STRUCTURE (Dallas Airport, AROUND 2013):

PLAY STRUCTURE (Greensboro, North Carolina, 2012)

PLAY STRUCTURE (Allentown, Pennsylvania)

MORE PLAY STRUCTURES:

• San Jose, California, 2023
• Fort Worth, Texas
• Loveland, Colorado or Ohio
• Chicago, Illinois, 2834 N Ashland Ave
• Appleton, Wisconsin, 700 W Northland Ave
• Matthews, North Carolina

MODEL D COLLECTIBLE PLATES (2001):

HAPPY MEAL TOY (1993):

Links: Model A 'Thanksgiving Parade' Wiki: https://macysthanksgiving.fandom.com/wiki/Big_Red_Shoe_Car

Stargazing Advert (2000, Model A): https://youtu.be/YDy44zKa-R0

Ronald and Me 'Unknown' Advert (2000, Model A): https://youtu.be/t-muSz5ZH60

Ronald and Me 'Time Travel' Advert (2000/2001, Model A): https://youtu.be/QY0-A8zfeZo

Prototype (2002, Model B): http://productmobiles.blogspot.com/2011/10/shoe-maker.html?m=1

Model E Production: https://www.chron.com/culture/article/mcdonalds-shoe-car-houston-texas-19964777.php

McKids Adventures: Treasure Hunt with Ronald (2006, Model A, 10:32 onwards): https://youtu.be/1Ba5h4d5wBk

Driving to Work Advert (2010, Model A): https://youtu.be/smW7CFbEHF0

TYPE A {Shopping and Commuting}

TYPE B {Luggage Carrying}

TYPE C {Leisure Use}

WIDESHOT

Info: Unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1969, the Toyota EX-II is a three-wheeled microcar project. It was supervised by Jiro Kawano, creator of the 2000GT. Three versions are presented on the same basis.

The proposed engine is either an electric motor or a 350 cm3 two-stroke Yamaha twin-cylinder with air cooling.

The Type A (cream) is a beautiful style exercise of an economical vehicle to transport from home to work or go shopping (commuting). The plastic bubble covers the entire cabin that can accommodate two passengers. Two openings in the shape of portholes allow communication with the outside.

The Type B (orange) is a short-distance goods vehicle, such as in airports.

The Type C (blue) is a runabout for leisure, golf cart style that can be used for vacation spots.