Whether it’s impressing the King of Kustomizers George Barris or having the King of Rock ‘n Roll Elvis Presley take a picture on the seat of your bike, these are just a few of the memorable moments Chad Drayer recollects about the three-wheeled motorcycle he affectionately calls the “super trike.”
“It was built in 1970 by a guy named Chattanooga Charlie. He built two, but this is the only one that is running around. We did a little modification from the original. We put wheels on it, buffed the motor up, changed the paint design,” said Chad Drayer of the trike which had its inception during the age of surreal movie cars.
The trike is officially owned by his partner Thidault Ingulia, although Drayer is the designated driver for all events.
“I take it everywhere,” said Drayer, who came aboard the project three years ago. “He owns the bike, but we are actually partners in it now.”
When he’s not showing off this most unusual specimen around Maryland and beyond, Drayer operates a landscaping business while Ingulia owns a contracting company.
What’s to be said about this absurdly larger-than-life trike that makes one scan the horizon in hopes of catching the Batmobile and Scooby Doo’s Mystery Machine van close behind?
Tipping the scales at over 3,000 lbs, it is as big on weight as it is on looks. The side-by-side two-seater configuration is split by its massive front end falling into a telescopic fork. The rear end uses the front end of an Oldsmobile Toronado to hold the throaty 455 engine in place. Lengthwise, it is as long as any modern pick up truck, though markedly cartoonish in stature. And its profile is worth a thousand ogling stares and open mouth gasps.
But the cost of keeping the trike these days is overwhelming. And Drayer, who estimates the value of the trike at around 100,000 dollars, spends thousands of dollars a year transporting the trike to various shows. He said what he would like to do is acquire sponsorships from companies interested in associating their name with this unusual piece of automotive history.
Unlike many cars, the trike has lived most of its life in the spotlight rather than in the dank underbelly of someone’s garage. As long as he can remember, Drayer said interest in the trike has always been high. Recently, a proposition was made to Ingulia about putting the trike under even bigger lights.
“There’s a guy in Las Vegas who wants to put it in his casino and put it up on a turntable so that it spins around,” said Drayer.
In 2000, Drayer said the trike caught the eye of George Barris at World of Wheels show.
“When he seen the trike, he wrote a note to Tidault about how fantastic the trike was,” said Drayer. “He got a picture with George Barris on the trike.”
What do you drive?
A 1970 super trike. We recycled it off the original owner. Thidault bought it about 19 years ago.
Why do you drive it?
It’s different. I take it out to shows more than anything. We’re getting it tagged to drive it around. It’s just a toy to take out and show and have fun with it.
What makes this trike so special?
You sit in the back of the bike instead of the middle. Most trikes are made of fiberglass, this is made of steel. It weighs about 3200 lbs. It’s one of a kind.
What was your most memorable driving experience?
We have ridden it around in Ocean City. We were going to get it on the boardwalk, but we didn’t have a chance.
What was the first car you owned?
An ‘86 Blazer. Did the motor work and had a 305 put in it.
What’s currently in your CD player?
Currently I listen to Christian music: Third Day and Casting Crowns.
And your first ticket? What was it for?
Racing (against) a Mustang. I had an S10 Blazer. I beat him and a cop was sitting right around the corner and caught me.
Check out my Stats:
- Engine: 455 big block Oldsmobile motor
- Horsepower: Est. 550
- Performance: Chrome headers, Offenhauser intake, exhaust, two 750 Edelbrock carburetors, turbo 400 trans-axle transmission from a 1966 Olds Toronado,
- Body: tubular framing 3/8” thick, welded into the back which is the front end of an Olds Toronado.
- Paint: Purple that fades to fuchsia with gold, silver, white, and crystal flakes.
