Past PPV Owners

Reg Rodaro

May 15, 2002
Nick
I had a PPV for many years. The  rear tires were available from a Moped dealer. The front was a 16 by 1.75 bike rim laced to a motorcycle drum brake.
I was unable to restore the 3 speed and adapted a derailleur system on a separate bracket.  As I remember I took a standard rear hub and free wheel and mounted it behind the rear crossmember on a bracket. Two pieces of angle to form drop outs. I ground the front chain ring thin enough to accept the narrow chain.This ran to the derailer. I attached one of the original sprockets to the wheel hub with small bolts and epoxy flox ( cotton filler) This sprocket and large chain went to a sprocket on the rear axle. Sorry no picture but similar to what I have seen on adult trikes with geared hubs. A jack shaft. My unit had deteriorated plastic so I used it as a mold and made the top panel out of epoxy and glass as shown in the photo. I made a canvas top with front and side windows.

I think the unit went to the Bahamas.
                                                         
Reg

Nigel Spark
Australia, 2002
I have just quickly scanned your website and am impressed, lovely to see photos other than my own of a PPV.  I was presently surprised to find my own PPV photos staring back at me from your website accompanied with a note "I have no other information about this example".  What other information were you hoping for or want?  I personally was searching 6 months ago on the net for a PPV hoping to purchase one in Australia like the one you see in my photos which was sold in 1981.  I had hoped to provide it with electrical assist motor as a better alternative to invalid scooters and road legal use in Australia just like a bicycle (providing the electrical assist is no more than 200 Watts).
 
I do remember yellow / white PPV's featuring quickly within TV advertising in Australia in early 1980's Travel agents promotion for Australia, Queensland, Gold Coast and Great Barrier Reef regions.
Nigel

Dean Petrich Whidbey Island, WA
I talked to Dean by phone from his home in Whidbey Island, WA in May of 2002.  From 1972 through the mid 80's Dean taught classes at the University of Washington Experimental College every quarter.  To get around, his favorite mode of transportation was to drive his PPV (people-powered vehicle) which had adjustable bucket seats, stick gear shift, rear view mirrors, and pedals for both the driver and the passenger.  There was space in the back for fuel--a bag of groceries.  This PPV was stolen, and another which he purchased later was destroyed when the building where it was being stored was demolished.  Dean is in the market for another.  Dean now runs a piano repair and environmental energy home-business.

David Troen-Krasnow 11 Nov 2002
"My grandfather got one when he bought a Buick in the 70s... My parents took it to the dump when they were unable to get anyone to fix it (gears losing teeth and frame welds failing)."

Miles Blunt 21 Jan 2006

I grew up in Detroit in the 70's and my brother and I used to have a PPV. In fact, my older brother worked in the manufacturing plant that made the PPVs. I'm stunned that some of these things are still around and I would interested in purchasing one. Can anyone share their thoughts as to where PPVs can be purchased? I know they show up on eBay from time to time.

Travis Chase 13 Sept 2005

Hi just wanted to drop a line to say nice site i recently aquired a Ppv at An Enegry Convention for around $350 i must say these are some sweet rides ive barly had it a week and have become the attention of everyone that sees it from what i was told its a 1972 or 5 still in origonal good condition the person i bought it from let me test drive it and i fell in love i have added headlights and soon turnsignals via a lil 12volt motorcycle battery. if you would like pics or anything please feel free to contace me via Tchase85@yahoo.com I LOVE THIS CAR lol its rather funny to see some of the reactions people have, most think its a electric car or really quite engine til they see me pumping the legs  thanks for makeing a site we can all get together on  keep up the good work . Ppv Fan In Iowa

Scott Wickens 8 Oct 2005

Well, after some searching, I found that the PPV patent for the transmission system was #3,827,310 and was held by Donald C. Gates of Troy, MI and was obtained on Dec. 29, 1972.
Also found the PPV trademark #80981867 and was dead as of 1980. Just in case ya'll are interested.

Lance Comegys 2 Oct 2005

Nick,
Thank you for the info.  If you can find out for sure about the pedals that would be a great help in my redesign? I was thinking of doing the body in fiberglass but it would add more weight to the car.  I'm going with a aluminum frame but feel it would still be to heavy.  I'm going to meet with a company this week that may be able to recreate the body with the vacuum molds.  If it is to expensive than I will probably go with fiberglass.  I think that the fiberglass would hold up better so maybe that is the way to go.  What do you think?  Do you think there would be much of a market for these now days?  Let me know if you find the address for the guy who made the fiberglass body? 

Its been so long since I drove my PPV I don't remember if when one person pedals do both driver and passengers pedals rotate or can one person take a break and keep there feet on the pedals in the coast mode? I am moving along with the recreation of a new and better version of the PPV utilizing the original body style.  Do you or anyone know what happened with the original thermo vacuum molds for the PPV body and seats?

Ian Lindridge, Minnesota 9 Oct 2005

I purchased my first PPV in 2003.  Paid $175 for it, drove to Denver from Minnesota, and found it in poor condition.  It was being sold by the deceased owner's friend who knew little about the PPV and I didn't know enough to ask the right questions.  No windshield, cracks on the floor, front wheel was same as rear and forks were BMX with rim caliper brakes, the drive gear needed repair, and the teeth on the gears were rounded off.  I managed to locate a transmission from a PPV list person in Texas.

One year later the second PPV was $160 and in mint condition.  I drove to eastern Wisconsin to get it.  Now I have a template to work from both in restoring my first and in knowing what questions to ask.  With a small market for these the sell price is difficult to establish.  I think my second was a good price but in hindsight the first was way overpriced.  I saw one on e-bay some months ago sell for near $500 and it was in poor condition.  The PPV currently on e-bay does not mention specifics about the condition of the transmission other than the chain keeps coming off.  If there are transmission problems the price, I think, is high.

I considered using the Shimano Nexus multi-speed hub.  I believe there is a 7 speed model now.  A derailleur may hang low enough to be damaged. I haven't looked at how difficult it would be to install a Nexus hub, but what a difference in drivability.  I still may go that way on the PPV with the stripped gears in oder to keep the spare transmission for my good PPV.  My nice trike was in the local parade this year and was a hit! People would wave me over to see how it worked.  Great fun.