George Meek's Custom-Built Car
Background
George Meek had an ambition to construct his own car from 'scratch'. He realised this ambition by building the Meek 'Three Wheeler' in the garage at his home near Aberfoyle. His original intention was to have a vehicle that would hold him, a passenger, and his pet English bull terrier. However, the design that was eventually implemented was a single-seater car.
Photographs by George Scott Meek. Used with the kind permission of the executors of Mr Meek's estate.
Construction
The body of the car was made of tubular steel with aluminium panels attached by self-tapping screws. The engine and rear wheel were taken from a motorcycle while the front wheels and steering were taken from a small car. The front suspension was in the form of torsion bars that George crafted himself. A single door allowed the driver to enter and leave from the offside of the vehicle. The gear change was based on the original motorcycle foot-operated gear change and so was slightly alien to typical car drivers.
Longest Journey Made
It is believed that the longest distance that the car was driven in a single day was visit from Aberfoyle to Dunbar and back, to visit a relative. The total distance travelled would have been around 180 miles.
Where Is It Now?
George Meek transfered ownership of the vehicle to Jack Hubbard the owner of the Woodyard scapyard ('end of life processing centre') near Gartocharn. George had known Jack since his days at the Cardross Engineering Company in Dumbarton.
For a time, the little car was used as an 'advertising' display at the Woodyard scapyard and was perched on top of a container.
It was eventually purchased by a local motoring enthusiast who intended to restore it but who ended up selling it to a German gentleman who had an interest in micro-cars.
The current resting place of the car is believed to be the Jesada Technik Museum in Thailand, where it is stored with a large collection of three-wheel vehicles.
Details of the most recent news of the car were published in the Christmas Eve 2008 edition of Classic Car Weekly.
Photograph and text © Classic Car Weekly. Used with permission.