Short-sightedness: "A dream for a better future has been stopped in its tracks"

The future of alternative fuel, clean powered transportation has once again retreated to the Neanderthal Age with the forced demise of Corbin Motors, the brainchild of Tom Corbin.  In an industry which seems intent on throwing money at fuel-cell technology to the detriment of other more worthy and attainable electric and hydrogen power sources, Tom Corbin was somewhat of a pioneer in the manufacture of sporty pure electric, gas efficient and hybrid vehicles.  The closing of Corbin Motors is a sad time for all those who support a future free of harmful pollutants and we at Her Electric Vehicle want to recognise his inspired vision.

Corbin Motors had three vehicles available commercially: The Sparrow, The Merlin Roadster and The Merlin Coupe.
They were powered by either a Harley Davidson gasoline combustion engine (with a 300 to 400 mile range on a tank of gas and a projected 70 to 90 miles per gallon) or by an all electric 25HP electric motor connected to a bank of 13 batteries with a travelling range of 20 to 40 miles per charge at a top speed of 70 MPH.

Corbin Motors Sparrow EV The Sparrow Personal Transit Module (P.T.M.) was a single passenger vehicle designed specifically for commuters and intercity driving. Powered by thirteen 12 volt batteries, the Sparrow provided an effective range of 30 to 60 miles and a top speed of 70 mph.  It was the ideal car for the vast percentage of commuters in the United States who travel 18 miles or less to work daily.

Corbin Motors Merlin Coupe The Merlin Coupe was a single passenger vehicle designed specifically for the majority of people that travel to work and back alone. Since it registered as a motorcycle, it was legal in the carpool lane, exempt from tolls in many states and was cheap to insure. The Merlin is a ULEV which is short for Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle. It used Corbin's proprietary V2/90 internal combustion engine and was designed to offer high performance, unlimited range and freedom of mobility.

Corbin Motors Merlin Roadster The Merlin Roadster featured a fuel injected 88 inch twin-cam motor from Harley-Davidson that produces 75 bhp with 74 foot pounds of torque (TC-88B motor). Power was delivered to the front wheels through a four speed manual transmission and put to the pavement with a set of three 17" wheels skinned with 205/40 tires.

Merlin breathed through a Harley Fuel Injection system and a set of custom pipes by Samson (dual exhaust naturally). Road bumps up-front were overcome courtesy of Progressive Suspension's coil-over hydraulic shocks in a twin A-arm suspension. The solitary rear wheel hung on a single sided swing arm.   The Merlin Production models were to be available in Candy Apple Red, Tangerine, Black or silver. The stunning body style was a Don Varner / Corbin design covering a tubular steel space frame all wrapped around a generous rider compartment decked out in genuine leather. The interior design was pure Corbin and provided a stylish perch for the driver complete with a full hot-rod style instrument cluster and CD player.  In the back, Corbin incorporated trunk space that provided approximately 50 litres of fully lined, protective storage area, the trunk deck hinged rearward and locked for security.

Her Electric Vehicle

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