The history of the Campagna T-Rex
The very first T-Rex was conceptualized in 1988 when Daniel Campagna founded the company in Canada. Originally a Formula 1 racer for Ford, he had experience with building vehicles, including the T-Rex's prototype. He formed a team to complete the first official T-Rex example, which was shown at the 1994 Montreal Auto Show.
For six years, you could only buy the T-Rex in Quebec. However, as orders began flooding in, the team relocated to more Canadian cities to appease buyers. This also gave the company more opportunities to network, shipping T-Rex orders to more countries.
Campagna Motors hit another rough spot in 2019, closing its doors and leaving many to believe it was gone for good. Fortunately, it returned with new investors a few months later to keep the T-Rex's legacy alive. In addition to the classic T-Rex, a fresh electric model is reportedly in the works.
Where does the Campagna T-Rex get its power?
The Campagna T-Rex has used four engines throughout its lifetime, the first being sourced from a Suzuki motorcycle. Getting these engines wasn't exactly a practical process: workers would buy the full bike just to remove the powertrain. Eventually, the company shifted to using Kawasaki engines, specifically the ones that had ram-air intake.
Since 2013, the company has been using a BMW-sourced engine for its T-Rex, currently in the 16SP phase. The engine is capable of 160 horsepower, able to zoom to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. The six-speed transmission gives maximum power to the rear wheels and includes an electronic mechanical reverse gear.
The body is constructed from lightweight composite material, bringing its mass to a little over 1,150 pounds. This makes it both easy to maneuver and contributes to its impressive speed. It also features a compliant suspension and electronically controlled engine torque.
Is a three-wheeler street-legal?
Some types of three-wheelers, like ATVs and golf carts, aren't permitted on public roadways. That's because these particular examples don't have built-in safety features. Some three-wheelers also aren't fast enough to be considered safe on highways.
Fortunately, both T-Rex models come with safety belts, headlights, and a crash-tested chassis complete with a roll cage. The T-Rex 16SP's brake rotors are also cross-drilled, which keeps them dry even in rain or snow. Both are somewhat pricey (between $60,000-$70,000 minimum), but they offer a unique driving experience that's hard to find elsewhere.
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