the dale car

The Dale was a three-wheeled wonder from 1970s America that promised moonshot fuel economy and space-age toughness, then promptly face-planted into scandal.

Built by the short-lived Twentieth Century Motor Car Corporation, it was mostly hype wrapped in fibreglass, with only a few prototypes and zero real production.

The grand claims were never proven, regulators and reporters pounced, and the company unravelled faster than a cheap seat cover in summer.

Today, “the Dale car” is a cautionary tale: fascinating for collectors and documentary buffs, but about as suitable for daily driving as thongs at a snowfield.

If you encounter one, think museum piece and a very careful inspection—intrigue first, ignition later.