Elite Traveler July-August 2018

elite traveler JULY/AUG 2018 41

CANYON CARVER

Vanderhall MotorWorks’ three-wheeled autocycle is vintage for themodern era Cruising the balmy Southern California canyons, windswept and three-wheeled, the Vanderhall Venice radiates a distinct air of cool in a valley of cloudless skies. Part of that may be due to its lack of a roof, but the rest, it can be assured, comes via design. The front tires are open wheeled, while recessed exhaust pipes — so as to avoid calf burns upon entry or exit —peek out from under the vehicle. Through the oval front and tunnel-like tail, each light is masked behind a grille, adding to the classic-racer feel, also evident in the thin, airbag-absent wooden steering wheel. Inspired by the Lotus Seven, the Venice shares the same wheelbase as a Porsche 911 and is assembled start to finish in Provo, Utah. A six-speed automatic transmission and 1.4-liter turbo engine come standard, providing 180 horsepower, enough to climb even the steepest of inclines. Optional Brembo brakes offer some serious stopping ability; from 60 mph in 85ft to be precise. Helmets aren’t required in autocycles, but considering the Venice’s doorlessness and near-ground- tickling height, it wouldn’t be a terrible idea to wear one. Venice’s charm lies in its simplicity: toying with the old-style ball shifter is as complicated as it gets for the driver’s hands. Massive touch screens and air-conditioning aren’t available — they’re just not on brand. A set of black 18in wheels, however, comes standard. Joy is

Low-speed looker Moke America reinvents the doorless beach buggy

The promise of long, languid summer days spent moseying around St Barths or in the Hamptons warrants a vehicle that enables such leisure. With a top speed of 25 mph, the eMoke — the electric version of the classic beach buggy whose fans included Brigitte Bardot, Princess Margaret and Hunter S Thompson — could be just the car. Moke America’s electric four-seater runs for 40 miles on a 12kwh lithium battery that takes eight hours to fully charge and has front-wheel drive. But let’s be honest — owners aren’t investing in this buggy for its 0-to-25 time. A heritage automobile, the Moke was first made by the British Motor Corporation in the 1950s as an attempt at a parachute- droppable vehicle for the British Army, and it looked like a mini Jeep. The car didn’t pass muster with the military, so in 1964, BMC tried selling it to the public. Sadly, production halted a few years later when the company sold fewer than 1,500 vehicles. Resurrected by Todd Rome, founder and president of Blue Star Jets, this ride features plastic seats, ideal for sandy passengers, as well as doorless sides for hop in/hop out ease. A top cover is optional, but we think it is better left in the garage. Nine paint colors and trim lines, including a limited-edition camo print (but excluding the custom tropical wrap inspired by Louis Vuitton Creative Director Kim Jones’s SS18 men’s collection!), are available. More golf cart than automobile, the low-speed eMoke comes in both left- and right-hand drive and has a handy but cozy trunk space, ideal for beach blankets and coolers. Each eMoke is hand-built and made to order over the course of roughly three months. From $16,975, mokeamerica.com

optional, but almost guaranteed. From$29,950, vanderhallusa.com

From top The eMoke is made for rolling around in summer; the limited- edition camo print is perfect for hitting the beach; the Vanderhall Venice combines a vintage-racer look with modern fuel efficiency