Trike proves a real crowd pleaser

Dunedin mechanic Paul Barron's custom-built V8 trike turned heads at Wings and Wheels at Taieri Airfield on Saturday.

He built the three-seater trike seven years ago and it was big enough for him to transport his family - his teenage son in the middle and his wife on the back.

Dunedin mechanic Paul Barron on his custom-built V8 trike at Wings and Wheels at Taieri Airfield...
Dunedin mechanic Paul Barron on his custom-built V8 trike at Wings and Wheels at Taieri Airfield on Saturday. Photo by Gregor Richardson.
The seat belts allowed everybody to travel without helmets, he said.

The Lexus V8 car engine could reach speeds of 200kmh but the trike had never been pushed to its maximum speed, he said.

''It's 300hp and the whole thing only weighs 900kg, so it has got a good power-to-weight ratio.''

Despite the engine's size, it could be driven from Dunedin to Christchurch on a tank of fuel.

He could not put a price on the trike.

''I don't keep track, but the front end cost $10,000 to build and chrome.''

Wings and Wheels co-organiser Warwick Sims said the vintage cars, machinery, military vehicles and aircraft attracted more than 6000 people on Saturday - a record crowd.

''It's the biggest one yet and everyone had a good day.''

-shawn.mcavinue@odt.co.nz

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