| H-M-Vehicles Free-Way | |
| Manufacturer: | H-M-Vehicles Inc. |
| Production: | 1979–1982 |
| Assembly: | Burnsville, Minnesota |
| Class: | Microcar |
| Body Style: | Coupe |
| Layout: | RMR layout |
| Engine: | Tecumseh single-cylinder engine *12 hp model: 3451NaN1 *16 hp model: 4531NaN1 permanent magnet DC motor, 4 hp |
| Transmission: | CVT, no reverse gear |
| Length: | 1150NaN0[1] |
| Width: | 530NaN0 |
| Height: | 510NaN0 |
| Weight: | gasoline: 7000NaN0 electric: 9000NaN0[2] |
| Related: | D&A Minikin |
| Designer: | Dave Edmonson |
| Sp: | us |
The H-M-Vehicles Free-Way (H-M meaning high mileage) was a three-wheel microcar manufactured in Burnsville, Minnesota, from 1979 to 1982.[3]
These small commuter cars had a single seat and were powered by a gasoline engine[4] or a 4 hp electric motor.[5] A diesel engine was offered, but none were ordered with it.
The 12 HP version was guaranteed to get 100mpgus when driven at a steady 40mi/h. The 12 HP version averaged 80mpgus, and the larger 16 hp averaged 60mpgus to 70mpgus. The standard fuel tank had a capacity of 3USgal[6] while a 10USgal tank was optional.
The engine was mounted behind the driver and was coupled to a snowmobile-style CVT belt drive transmission. Final drive to the rear wheel was by chain. The gasoline-powered Free-Way did not have a reverse gear in its transmission. An electrically powered reverse drive was offered as an option, but was never made available.
The Free-Way had a welded tubular steel frame, with a secondary perimeter frame at bumper height to protect the driver from impacts. Suspension was fully independent, with two wheels in front and a single wheel in the rear. The fully enclosed two-piece fiberglass body was approximately 0.125inches thick and had the color molded into the material and was available in high-visibility red, yellow, or orange. The lower body included a full undertray to reduce the drag coefficient of the vehicle.
The Free-Way had a single headlight and per federal standards were intended to be licensed as a motorcycle, but in some states they were titled as cars.[7]
About 700 Free-Ways were sold before the company closed in June 1982.[8]