Cheap Project: 1970s Muskin Tri-Cat
We’ve seen many three-wheelers here on Barn Finds over the years, even a few of this genre, as in not an ATV or ATC from a Japanese manufacturer, but almost homemade-looking fiberglass-body models with a rear engine. This one is listed as a 1970s Muskin Tri-Cat and it can be found listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Wautoma, WI and they’re asking $300. Here is the listing, and thanks to Lothar… of the Hill People for sending in this tip!
I wouldn’t have guessed that this was a Muskin Tri-Cat as I don’t recognize the fiberglass rear shroud with the Batman-like scoop over the engine. Most of them were open in the back, not to mention the Barnabas Collins-like coffin gas tank, or whatever is going on in front of the seat. It’s most likely a storage compartment as the gas tank is likely in the rear with the engine, or it would have been.
The engine, as with the rest of this unusual three-wheeler, is a bit incomplete. The seller calls it a project bike that the next owner will have to finish, and it sure is. There isn’t much information on HPE/Muskin Tri-Cats (out of Muskin, PA) out there as far as different models and specs, but the company made some fantastic mini bikes before getting into the then-popular three-wheeler market. It appears to have electric start and is missing the brake assembly, clutch, and a few other parts and pieces. They came with either a Tecumseh or Briggs & Stratton four-cycle engine at around 5hp. Colton, California also had a factory and the company offered these trikes to Montgomery Ward, Sears, JC Penny, and others to be rebranded and sold through their catalogs and stores. With such a sweet group of clients as that, it’s a wonder why they quit making them. Maybe they suffered the same fate as other three-wheelers, they were more apt to tip over on corners and riders got hurt, who knows? Can any of you identify this model?
Auctions Ending Soon
2002 Subaru Impreza WRXBid Now1 days$333
1975 Chevrolet Corvette ConvertibleBid Now1 days$4,000
1964 Ford F-100 Camper CustomBid Now1 days$2,000
2006 Jeep Wrangler SportBid Now3 days$11,000
1974 Datsun 260ZBid Now5 days$750
Comments
Wautoma, you say? Oh it’s fun reliving my past. If you wanted to go around the scale on I-39, Hy.73 took you right around it, and through Wautoma. :0,,oh don’t look so shocked, we did it all the time.
This, and all these “attempts” at 3 wheelers, were basically the same stuff, different shovel. Through extensive testing, us, it was somehow determined to put the motor behind the operator, thus increasing stability. Raider snowmobile mentality. I believe Suzuki was the 1st 4 wheel atv,( 1982) but in true American, never say die fashion, we’ll make a go of this mindset,,these machines milked it to the end.
That’s a “cast iron” Tecumseh, hp unknown, but the “solid state” was a buzz word for technology, but nothing more than a gimmick, and still a troublesome points/magneto, and parts are hard to find. While I’ve had both, Tecumseh always had more power than a B&S, but finicky, and poor cams, I think, made the Briggs a better choice. Did you know, Briggs uses plastic camshafts, with good results. IDK, gimme old fashioned metal anyday. No pull start, indicates electric start/charge, like a golf cart, and I’d ditch the whole mess for a snowmobile twin, and I bet still a lot of fun. I’m sure many today look at this as an injury waiting to happen with no safety equipment of any kind. Hey, guess what, your common sense was your safety equipment.
Looks like the back was molded around a Cub cadet tractor rear
This looks very much like the “Tri-Sport” 3 wheeler I had in the 70s.
I never heard of Muskin, Pa. but I did work for Muskin Pool in Wlkes-Barre, Pa. in the late ’70’s and early ’80’s. I believe this was a sideline to their pool business. They made above ground pools since the ’40’s originally in New York. They supplied pool for Sears, J.C. Penny, Wards, Western Auto and Grants. It was a huge place and a major employer in our area. The mini bike business was over by the time I worked there. (sigh)
Was Muskin Pools on 315? Past the VA hospital ?
Close, right on 315 was a pool dealer and distributor, but if you took the left at that corner, Muskin was up there on the right hand side. Back entrance was off of Laird st.
Wonder what your opinion is on trying to sell my 1976 Pontiac Grand Prix 2nd owner. Doesn’t have original motor,now has rebuilt 350 small cam 4 barrel intake, true dual exhaust.
Car runs and drives owned and garaged since 1993.
Was Muskin Pools on 315? Past the VA hospital ?
and so it goes
left, right and
out of sight
?