So You Aspired to Be Top Gun But Didn't Clear the Medical Exam? | Carscoops

      The Pulse autocycle listed on Bring a Trailer is one of approximately 326 units produced and features a tandem two-seat configuration.

      22 hours ago

      by Chris Chilton

      The Pulse autocycles were manufactured by the Owosso Motor Company between 1985 and 1990.

      This fiberglass vehicle, designed to mimic an airplane, is equipped with a 400 cc Yamaha twin engine.

      It features four wheels: two main wheels and an additional wheel on each side for added stability.

      In 1986, US Navy recruitment increased by 8 percent, coinciding with the release of the original Top Gun film, yet only a few applicants would end up realizing their dreams of becoming a real-life Pete “Maverick” Mitchell. For everyone else, there was always the Pulse autocycle.

      Advertised as a Ground Cruising Recreational Vehicle (GCRV), the Pulse, much like its predecessor, the Litestar, boasted genuine aeronautical design. It was created by aircraft designer Jim Bede, known for the tiny Bede BD-5J that appeared in the 1983 James Bond film, Octopussy.

      More Plane Than Car?

      Unlike the miniature 007 aircraft, the Pulse cannot fly and lacks a jet engine. Instead, it is powered by a less glamorous Yamaha 400 cc parallel twin motorcycle engine, and the two winglets function as housings for what could be considered training wheels.

      These winglets keep the fiberglass-over-steel Autocycle upright during turns and prevent it from tipping over when stationary, although only three wheels are ever in contact with the ground at once.

      Related: The Carver One Was One Third Motorcycle, Two-Thirds Car, and 100% Nuts

      When you lift the aircraft canopy, you'll find two seats arranged in tandem, complemented by an aftermarket three-spoke car steering wheel instead of a yoke. A stick located beside the driver's right elbow operates the six-speed manual transmission, while there is also an electric reverse feature.

      A Rare Survivor

      This specific example is number 162 of the estimated 326 units produced between 1985 and 1990 and hails from the inaugural year of Pulse production. After only two years, it was stored for the following three decades, reappearing in 2019 when it was sold to its current owner, who added the LED lights.

      Since Jim Bede conceived this unusual hybrid of car, motorcycle, and airplane, similar creations have emerged that also feature tilting mechanisms for a more exhilarating experience, yet this remains an enjoyable toy for the right individual and serves as a reminder of the many eccentric fuel-efficient vehicles that were developed by startups across America during the 1980s. You can check out the complete Bring a Trailer listing here.