From their workshop in Darwen, Lancashire, John Ziemba Restorations began to market the JZR in 1990. Some 320 JZR's were produced up until 1998 when there was a production hiatus until 2000. It continues in production today.
The Car
The JZR 'beetle-back' at Newark Kit Car Show, Lincolnshire c.1993
JZR was inspired by the early Morgan Aero three-wheelers and more recent cars like the Triking. The kit comprised a square tube steel chassis with a galvanized floorpan and body sides. The upper body consisted of GRP panels. There were two rear body styles: the “barrel back” which allowed a spare tyre to be mounted at the rear; and the curved “beetle back”.
Power could come from a variety of engines. Initially the Honda CX 500 V-twin was used. Later Honda's CX 650, CX 500/650 turbo and Pan-European ST1100 V4 and Moto Guzzi's 850 and 1000 V-twins were added. Even the Harley-Davidson motor has been fitted to some examples, using a Ford Cortina gearbox and clutch. The power was transferred to the rear via shaft drive.
The front suspension used the spindles and disc brake assemblies of the Ford Cortina Mk IV/V, with bespoke wishbones and coil over dampers. The Ford Escort Mk II supplied the rack and pinion steering rack. At the rear, the donor Moto Guzzi or Honda motorcycle suspension was used with its twin coil over dampers, brakes, and transfer case.
A V-twin engine, also called a V2 engine, is a two-cylinder piston engine where the cylinders share a common crankshaft and are arranged in a V configuration.
The Ford Cortina is a compact car that was built by Ford of Britain in various guises from 1962 to 1982, and was the United Kingdom's best-selling car of the 1970s.
Moto Guzzi is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer and the oldest European manufacturer in continuous motorcycle production.
Lotus Cortina is the commonly used term for the Ford Cortina Lotus, a high-performance sports saloon, which was produced in the United Kingdom from 1963 to 1970 by Ford in collaboration with Lotus Cars. The original version, which was based on the Ford Cortina Mark 1, was promoted by Ford as the "Consul Cortina developed by Lotus", with "Consul" later being dropped from the name. The Mark 2 was based on the Ford Cortina Mark II and was marketed by Ford as the "Cortina Lotus". Lotus gave the model the type number designation Type 28.
A swingarm, or "swinging arm" (UK), originally known as a swing fork or pivoted fork, is a single or double sided mechanical device which attaches the rear wheel of a motorcycle to its body, allowing it to pivot vertically. The main component of the rear suspension of most modern motorbikes and ATVs, it holds the rear axle firmly, while pivoting to absorb bumps and suspension loads induced by the rider, acceleration, and braking.
The Honda CX series motorcycles, including the GL500 and GL650 Silver Wing variants, were developed and released by Honda in the late 1970s, with production ending in most markets by the mid 1980s. The design included innovative features and technologies that were uncommon or unused at the time such as liquid cooling, electric-only starting, low-maintenance shaft drive, modular wheels, and dual CV-type carburetors that were tuned for reduced emissions. The electronic ignition system was separate from the rest of the electrical system, but the motorcycle could only be started via the start button.
Dellow cars were made in a factory at Alvechurch, just south of Birmingham, England between 1949 and 1956.
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A motorcycle's suspension serves a dual purpose: contributing to the vehicle's handling and braking, and providing safety and comfort by keeping the vehicle's passengers comfortably isolated from road noise, bumps and vibrations.
The Moto Guzzi Le Mans is a sports motorcycle first manufactured in 1976 by Italian company Moto Guzzi. It was named after the 24-hour motorcycle endurance race at Le Mans in France. The Le Mans designation was first used for an 850 prototype, based on the V7, displayed at Premio Varrone in late 1972.
Mills Extreme Vehicles (MEV) is a kit car design and manufacturing company based in Gloucestershire, England, founded in 2003. As of January, 2016 they manufacture the Exocet, an exoskeletal design which uses donor parts from the Mazda MX5 Mk1 sports car. An enhanced version of the Exocet, the MX150R, can participate in UK race series regulated by the 750 Motor Club and the MSA.
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A motorized tricycle, motor trike, or motortrycle is a three-wheeled vehicle based on the same technology as a bicycle or motorcycle, and powered by an electric motor, motorcycle, scooter or car engine.
The Moto Guzzi Triporteurs were wheeled transport motorcycles (triporteurs) of the Moto Guzzi brand. In Italy, they were called "Moto Carri".
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The V 85 TT is an Enduro motorcycle from Moto Guzzi, which belongs to the middleweight adventure bike category. The motorcycle was announced end of 2017 and entered production in spring 2019. It is supposed to combine classic styling with modern equipments and it targets road and light off-road use. This is reflected by the model name, where "TT" stands for "Tutto Terreno", which is Italian for "all terrain".
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