HM Vehicles Free-way

{{short description|Defunct American motor vehicle manufacturer}}

{{Infobox automobile

| name = H-M-Vehicles Free-Way

| image = Denver transport museum 128.JPG

| manufacturer = H-M-Vehicles Inc.

| aka =

| production = 1979–1982

| model_years =

| assembly = Burnsville, Minnesota

| predecessor =

| successor =

| class = Microcar

| body_style = Coupe

| layout = RMR layout

| platform =

| engine = Tecumseh single-cylinder engine
*12 hp model: {{convert|345|cc|CID|1|abbr=on}}
*16 hp model: {{convert|453|cc|CID|1|abbr=on}}
permanent magnet DC motor, 4 hp

| transmission = CVT, no reverse gear

| wheelbase =

| length = {{convert|115|in|cm|0|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url=http://www.leostoys.com/freeway_maintenance.shtml |title=Leo's Garage: Free-Way Maintenance |publisher=Leostoys.com |access-date=2011-11-05}}

| width = {{convert|53|in|cm|0|abbr=on}}

| height = {{convert|51|in|cm|0|abbr=on}}

| weight = gasoline: {{convert|700|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}
electric: {{convert|900|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url=http://www.evalbum.com/504 |title=Tim Medeck's 1981 H-M Vehicles Freeway |publisher=Evalbum.com |date=2004-03-16 |access-date=2011-11-05}}

| related = D&A Minikin

| designer = Dave Edmonson

| sp = us

}}

The H-M-Vehicles Free-Way (H-M meaning high mileage) was a three-wheel microcar manufactured in Burnsville, Minnesota, from 1979 to 1982.{{cite web |url=http://www.3wheelers.com/freeway.html |title=HM Vehicles Freeway |publisher=3-Wheelers.com |access-date=2011-11-05 |archive-date=2017-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305162125/http://www.3wheelers.com/freeway.html |url-status=dead }}

File:HMVFreeway med.jpg

These small commuter cars had a single seat and were powered by a {{cvt|12|or|16|hp|kW|0}} gasoline engine{{cite web |url=http://clubs.hemmings.com/frameset.cfm?club=hmvfreeway |title=High Mileage Vehicles - A New Technology: Page 6 |publisher=Clubs.hemmings.com |access-date=2011-11-05 |archive-date=2011-09-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927084424/http://clubs.hemmings.com/frameset.cfm?club=hmvfreeway |url-status=dead }} or a 4 hp electric motor.{{cite magazine | last = Frey| first = Peter| editor-last =Dianna| editor-first =John|date=December 1979| title = Driving Impression - "Free-Way" Commuter| magazine = Motor Trend| volume = 31| issue = 12| pages = 44–45| location = Los Angeles, CA | publisher = Petersen Publishing| issn = 0027-2094}} A diesel engine was offered, but none were ordered with it.

The 12 HP version was guaranteed to get {{convert|100|mpgus|L/100 km mpgimp|abbr=on}} when driven at a steady {{convert|40|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}. The 12 HP version averaged {{convert|80|mpgus|L/100 km mpgimp|abbr=on}}, and the larger 16 hp averaged {{convert|60|mpgus|L/100 km mpgimp|abbr=on}} to {{convert|70|mpgus|L/100 km mpgimp|abbr=on}}.{{Citation needed|date=May 2011}} The standard fuel tank had a capacity of {{convert|3|USgal|L}}{{cite web |url=http://clubs.hemmings.com/frameset.cfm?club=hmvfreeway |title=High Mileage Vehicles - A New Technology: Page 5 |publisher=Clubs.hemmings.com |access-date=2011-11-05 |archive-date=2011-09-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927084424/http://clubs.hemmings.com/frameset.cfm?club=hmvfreeway |url-status=dead }} while a {{convert|10|USgal|L}} tank was optional.

The engine was mounted behind the driver and was coupled to a snowmobile-style CVT belt drive transmission. Final drive to the rear wheel was by chain. The gasoline-powered Free-Way did not have a reverse gear in its transmission. An electrically powered reverse drive was offered as an option, but was never made available.

File:Yellow HM Vehicles FreeWay.jpg

The Free-Way had a welded tubular steel frame, with a secondary perimeter frame at bumper height to protect the driver from impacts. Suspension was fully independent, with two wheels in front and a single wheel in the rear. The fully enclosed two-piece fiberglass body was approximately {{convert|0.125|in|mm}} thick and had the color molded into the material and was available in high-visibility red, yellow, or orange. The lower body included a full undertray to reduce the drag coefficient of the vehicle.

The Free-Way had a single headlight and per federal standards were intended to be licensed as a motorcycle, but in some states they were titled as cars.{{cite web|url=http://www.leostoys.com/documents/freeway/1_5_jun_1981.pdf |title=The Freeway Newsletter Vol. 1 No. 5, June 1981 |access-date=2011-11-05}}

About 700 Free-Ways were sold before the company closed in June 1982.{{cite web |url=http://clubs.hemmings.com/frameset.cfm?club=hmvfreeway |title=High Mileage Vehicles - A New Technology: Page 9 |publisher=Clubs.hemmings.com |access-date=2011-11-05 |archive-date=2011-09-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927084424/http://clubs.hemmings.com/frameset.cfm?club=hmvfreeway |url-status=dead }}

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