In 1983, Zoe (rhymes with Maui) Products of California licensed a three-wheeler from Mitsuoka Motors of Japan. The Zipper featured a 49cc Honda engine (5 horsepower) paired with a CVT with an electric reverse gear. Zoe claimed 45 miles per hour and 112 miles per gallon.
In addition, it has independent front suspension, triple disc brakes, and…what looks to be the same wheels Honda put on a Motocompo (but don’t quote me on that). Helping operating costs was the ability to register it as a motorcycle, which made insurance cheaper. Zoe sold approximately 30 Zippers, some of which were hardtops and some of which were convertibles like the one being featured here.
Amusingly, a Zoe Zipper was amusingly offered as a prize on the Price is Right in January 1984:
Also amusingly, Mitsuoka is still around and they make some interesting “fashion cars” which basically take creations from fellow Japanese manufacturers and give them a neoclassical makeover.
This example (VIN: AF011135140) has 479 miles and it’s got a clean title. That’s pretty much all the seller has to say about it, and that’s just about all I’ve got at this point as well.
Find this Zoe Zipper for sale in Youngstown, Ohio with an unmet opening bid of $2,000 here on eBay.