Imagine a world where everyone drives full-size bumper cars. The idea might seem whimsical, but for one man in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, it became a reality. Dan Hryhorcoff, a retired machine shop owner, utilized his fabrication expertise to build a ginormous, road-legal bumper car during the height of the COVID pandemic. The result is a rear-engine trike that brings the joy of bumper cars to the streets in a truly unique fashion.
Hryhorcoff, needing a project to occupy his time during the pandemic, decided to merge his love for bumper cars with his skills in fabrication. He embarked on creating a super-sized bumper car that wouldn't just be for show but would also be functional and road-legal. The culmination of his efforts is a creation that answers the childlike wonder in all of us: Can a bumper car be a real car?
Hryhorcoff's creation is not just any oversized toy. It’s registered as a three-wheeled motorcycle. To achieve this, he used the front clip of a 2007 Chevrolet Aveo, including its 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and automatic transmission, but mounted them at the rear of the vehicle. This unique setup allows the car to drive on public roads.
The steering mechanism is where things get truly interesting. Hryhorcoff connected a motorcycle fork with a single wheel to an oversized steering wheel, but the tire reaches the ground nearly in the middle of the car. This configuration enables the car to turn almost in place, mimicking the feel of an actual bumper car.
The aesthetic appeal of Hryhorcoff’s creation is undeniable. The bumper car is modeled after the 1953 Lusse Auto Skooter, a classic design still popular in amusement parks today. By upsizing the measurements of a real bumper car and creating a mold, Hryhorcoff crafted a realistic body out of fiberglass. The result is a vehicle that looks like it rolled straight off the carnival midway.
Despite its playful appearance, this bumper car is fully road-legal. Hryhorcoff takes it to car shows, coffee runs, and for occasional drives, much to the delight of onlookers. However, its fiberglass body means it’s not built for actual collisions, as intentional bumping would result in damage. Besides, bumping into cars on the road isn't just dangerous—it's also illegal.
Hryhorcoff’s project is more than just a fun experiment; it’s a testament to creativity and ingenuity. By blending nostalgia with modern engineering, he’s created a vehicle that stands out in both form and function. This road-legal bumper car is a reminder that sometimes, the best ideas come from letting our inner child take the wheel.
In a world where cars are often seen as merely utilitarian, Hryhorcoff’s bumper car is a delightful deviation, bringing joy and a sense of wonder to everyone who sees it. It’s proof that even the most whimsical dreams can become reality with a bit of creativity and a lot of hard work.
Wael is an automotive content writer specializes in creating written content for Motor 283. Producing a wide range of content, including blog posts, articles, product descriptions, reviews, and technical guides related to cars, trucks, motorcycles, and other vehicles, with an unprecedented passion for cars, and motorcycles.
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