Jay Remembers the Three-Wheeled Car

Jay Leno. PHOTOGRAPH BY MATTHEW WELCH/ICON

Ten years ago, I received a letter from a man named Bob Shotwell who lived in a small town in Minnesota. He knew that I liked old cars from watching me on television. And he wanted to give me one.

He recalled that he asked his father for a car as he was about to graduate from high school in the early 1930s. But his dad replied that if he wanted a car, he should build one. So, 17-year-old Bob scrounged parts and made his own car. It was a little three-wheeled coupe powered by a 77.2-cu.-in. four-cylinder 1931 Indian motorcycle engine. Bob called it Philbert the Puddle Jumper. He and his brother, Edward, made headlines in local newspapers in the Northwest when they

drove it on a 6000-plus-mile jaunt. He told me that he eventually racked up 150,000 miles on it.

Bob Shotwell went on to a career as a pilot for Northwest Airlines, retiring in 1975. He married and raised two children--and his little coupe was always an important part of the family’s life.

But at age 82, he was afraid that the car would end up being torn apart by motorcycle guys for its precious Indian engine. He didn’t want that to happen. So, he said he’d give me Philbert as long as I promised that I wouldn’t break it up.

 

Click to enlarge
Bob Shotwell and the car he finished in 1933. PHOTOGRAPH BY JOHN LAMM

Interestingly, the editors at Popular Mechanics sent me a copy of The Boy Mechanic, a book the magazine originally published in the 1930s and republished this year. It was aimed at boys age 8 and up. I looked at a lot of the projects. No kid today could build them. I don’t think guys in their 20s could tackle some of them. But back in the ’30s, there was no TV, no video games--some people didn’t even have a radio. So, kids developed the skills to create their own neat stuff. Bob Shotwell was obviously a child of that era.

26. RE: Jay Remembers the Three-Wheeled Car
I just happened to be watching an old movie- from 1956 - The Ambassador's Daughter with John Forsythe. There was a scene where he was in a cab in Paris. I noticed a beautiful French three-wheeled veicle following the cab for quite awhile. It truly was exquisite and worth trying to find out what type make of vehicle it was.

25. RE: Jay Remembers the Three-Wheeled Car
I have a Freeway with the 16hp engine anyone interested?

24. RE: Jay another RARE CAR you must see
I have a one of six XK140 drop-head coup 1957 Jaguar automatic you must see complete restoration all original. I have owned the car for approx. 30years.If interested Please respond.

23. RE: Jay Remembers the Three-Wheeled Car
In the 1950's-1960's, the Germans produced a three wheel car that opened in the front. Do you remember the name of the car?

22. RE: Jay Remembers the Three-Wheeled Car
I found a copy of the "Boy Mechanic" in a used bookshop when I was about 13. Man, I had that book for years and made lots of junk from it's page's. One one thing my Da and me tried to make severl times was the steam powered motorcycle! I also loved the pictures of the turn of the century tpes making the stuff.

21. RE: Jay Remembers the Three-Wheeled Car
I need help identifing a three wheeler that I just found. It has the single weeel on the front. 248cc engine, three speed tranny,starter & generator combined. No name on the motor except ZAB, it is a 2 cycle aircooled. The engine is mounted just to the rear of the front wheel. The body was stripped off and I am not sure where to start as far as design goes. Any help, ideas would be appreciated. Thanking you in advance. Carl Ryan

20. RE: Jay Remembers the Three-Wheeled Car
Website: martingallery.com
my real father, ernest pennington (or pinnington), came from liverpool, england around 1920 - apparently his family established a fortune based on the development of a 3 wheeled car possibly prior to 1900 and in the eastern part of the usa - i remember seeing photos of it as a child - that was over 70 years ago and i am now trying to find more history of that car and the pennington family - i have the name of martin by adoption at the age of 13 in portland oregon - i am now 82 and live on mulholland drive in los angeles - thank you for any help you can give me

19. RE: Jay Remembers the Three-Wheeled Car
The US Navy had three wheel vehicles also. they took a jeep and removed both axles. The rear axle was moved to the front of the vehicle and a steerable pair of 7 inch wheels was placed in the middle of the rear area where the rear axil had been mounted. the PTO was used to drive a 400 Hz generator and a 28 VDC generator to start aircraft. It was used on aircraft carriers for years untill it was retired in the late 60s. Has anyone seen one?

18. RE: Jay Remembers the Three-Wheeled Car
Dear Jay Saw you in Reno in the seventies you were really funny. When I grew up I read my dads copy of "The Boy Mechanic". I built some of the projects. One interesting project was the aero-car, a motorcycle engine with a propeller attached to a small frame. If you are interested I'll copy the project from the book and send it. I hear some of these aero-cars could do 60 with a 3 hp engine. many regards, Don Stockton

17. RE: Jay Remembers the Three-Wheeled Car
I remember a project in popular mechanics many years ago [or was it popular science?] where they took the frame and running gear from a wrecked motorcycle, added a vw type front end, and created a one-off fiberglass body. do you have a way of getting that issues number so that I could possibly order a back issue.

16. RE: Jay Remembers the Three-Wheeled Car
Hi, I was wondering what kind of three wheel car that was the Peter Sellers drove in that movie about the actor from Italy that went to the party. I thinnk the movie was called the party. I'm trying to find one. Thanks

15. RE: Jay Remembers the Three-Wheeled Car
been trying to find a "freeway" I remember this three wheeled car in Maryland. It was made of fiberglass it had a 14 hp engine and the top speed was 55 mph . it had tandem seating

14. RE: Jay Remembers the Three-Wheeled Car
I missed this one but loved the Davis Car, a another three wheeler. Single front wheel Sedan powered by a Continal Engine, made in the U.S.A. They also made a Jeep trying to get a Government contract. If it be known, Davis coppied the Davis after the Cunningham (made in LA) that he owned. Loved the story and the days when we kids had to dream up our own custom ideas, chop our own tops and build our own motors with most parts being from the local wrecking yard. My first Bike: 1934 Harley VL and now I ride an '80 aircooled twin Kawasaki in town and a '81 1100 GoldWing on the highway. Keep it up. From a guy that uses lead to fill holes instead of Silly Putty. Neal

13. RE: Jay Remembers the Three-Wheeled Car
Jay, Sometime past, several English kit car companies produced some really interesting three-wheeled car kits. Do you know the status of the B.R.A. and the TriKing three wheelers? Tom

12. RE: Jay Remembers the Three-Wheeled Car
Currently working on a hybrid "3 wheel " vehicle for production. Should rate at the 100+ mpg range and be produced for under $12000.00 ( depending on the production run. To be manufactured in the USA! any help appreciated!

11. RE: Jay Remembers the Three-Wheeled Car
Hi Jay-I happened upon this site b/c I was listening to Clark Howard (financial guy) on the radio yest. He said that years ago he invested in a 3-wheeled car called the 'Freeway', which got 100mi/gal.-he said that it was ahead of its time, lol. Thought I'd like to see one online but haven't found one yet. I really enjoyed reading about Bob Shotwell, esp. since I have a 7yr.-old grandson who loves to build things-he can do a 300 piece Lego set in an hour! Btw, I love Headlines! Take care. ;-)Barb McCarthy

10. RE: Jay Remembers the Three-Wheeled Car
Jay, could not find a way to e-mail you except through here. I actualy have a question about the steam cars. I did not see where the exhaust went out in the Doble, and it appeared the exhaust just dumped out in the top of the boiler in the Stanley.Also why in the Franklin was there an exhaust cutout? Did this give extra power to the engine?

9. RE: Jay Remembers the Three-Wheeled Car
Jay,That is a great 3 wheel car story.I'm sure Bob shotwell appreciates what you have done with the car.I have injoyed watching your show and think it is real nice that a car guy like you has the means to restore car and I'm sure you have restored some of the cars the same as the first ones you owned.I know that is what I would do if I could afford to purchase the first 3 or 4 I owned,54 Chevy,61 Corvette,63 split window,should have kept them all!Enjoy your cars Jay.From another guy that loves cars.Lynn Swearingen (Iowa)

8. RE: Jay Remembers the Three-Wheeled Car
I have a 1959 165cc Harley I think jay might be interested in. If so contact me. completly orignal including the blue over silve paint.

7. RE: Jay Remembers the Three-Wheeled Car
This does not relate to the 3-wheeled car, but I have no way to contact Jay about a 1965 Shelby GT350 original,one of 82 built, Mustang. If he's interested, I'm sure he would appreciate this information. Thank you.

6. RE: Jay Remembers the Three-Wheeled Car
1931 Indian motorcycle engine.called Philbert the Puddle Jumper.love it,truly amazing.jay, thank you for taking care of this peice of art,you have the best car museume.limodaveonline. chicago

5. RE: Jay Remembers the Three-Wheeled Car
I have an OLD 3 wheeled car that I think might be a PM kit car It was made in 1955 looks like an airplane fusilage. has a lot of VW parts and is powered by a POLARIS snowmobile type drivetrain I would like some help identifing it I have good pics contact me PLEASE

4. RE: Jay Remembers the Three-Wheeled Car
Interesting that a 17 year old in the 1930's tinkering around can design a car exceeding many of the current designs in beauty/maybe function. My guess is it easily gets better gas milage than 95% of the ones on the road today.

3. RE: Jay Remembers the Three-Wheeled Car
Loved the three wheeled car story-Jay remembers.Great stuff!I too am building a three wheeled car.Thank you!!

2. RE: Jay Remembers the Three-Wheeled Car
Jay, you are a bonofide car nut, for sure. I've read about some of your projects, next time I get to California, I would like to tour your facility, and see this three wheeled car. You see, I'm a car nut too. Keep up the good work. Respectfully, Don Miner

1. RE: Jay Remembers the Three-Wheeled Car
Great article Kudos to Jay for honoring Mr Shotwells wishes. Keep up the good work for all of us enthusiasts out here. Dave

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