The Westward Go-4 Interceptor has been produced since the early 1990s. It’s used by municipalities across the United States and Canada, predominantly as a parking patrol or security vehicle. This particular example is a former NYPD Traffic Enforcement vehicle, as you can tell by the poorly removed markings. The question is: where’s it going now?
The Canadian-built Go-4 uses a fuel-injected, overhead-cam 1.0 three-cylinder engine, producing 66 hp and mated to a four-speed automatic. The powertrain is sourced from Hyundai; older Go-4s used a 1.3 four-cylinder and three-speed automatic from Ford. The 1.0 is good for around 45 mpg, according to Westward Industries.
The cabin appears relatively comfortable for its sole occupant, the Go-4’s cab measuring 72 inches. The single chair slides and adjusts and the steering wheel can be tilted. Access to the cabin is through sliding doors which allow, for example, parking enforcement officers to leave a ticket on your car without having to get out of their vehicle.
Around two feet shorter than a Mitsubishi Mirage, the Go-4 blurs the lines somewhat between trike and tiny car – air-conditioning is optional, for example. I can’t tell if this example has A/C fitted but I’d hope the NYPD would’ve sprung for it, considering how hot and muggy summers can be in NYC (and I say this as someone who lives in a sub-tropical climate now!)
The Go-4 has recently been joined by the Go-4 EV, which has a 20.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that can get anywhere between 55 and 100 miles on a full charge. Considering electric vehicles of this size – for example, golf carts and forklifts – have been available with electric power for decades, it’s somewhat surprising Westward Industries has only recently introduced an electric model.
Rest assured, whatever this Go-4 owner is doing with this ex-parking enforcement vehicle, they won’t be going on the highway. Well, I’d hope not. These are speed-limited to 45 mph from the factory although some owners have been known to remove the governor. That opens up a can of works regarding legal registration of this vehicle which, according to some owners, can already present challenges if you’re a private owner.
Buying an ex-fleet Go-4 is a novel idea if you have a small security company. Is there a market outside of this, however, for a used example of this little trike? What would you use a Go-4 for?
I always thought the “Interceptor” tag on these was hilarious, being around at the same time as the Crown Vic Interceptor on the streets of San Francisco when I still worked there.
Other than that, the sight of one always puts me in a slight panic as to trying to recall how many hours I’ve left my car parked on the street, even if I’m not even street parked that day….
When will there be a spec racing series for these?
You do occasionally see these (or similar 3 wheelers) repurposed as ice cream trucks. There is also a guy that drives one locally as his daily driver that has been adorned with every sort of double stick tape-on upgrade you can think off.
A perfect city vehicle – if you have no need to drive fast, have no need to carry anything and have no friends. 🙂
And driving the meter maid’s car you’ll never get any friends either… 🙂
I miss the days when the Cushman predecessors of these parking enforcement vehicles only had a door on one side. You and a friend could tip them onto the door side with the revenuer trapped inside and then stroll away at a casual pace to the cheers of onlookers.
Having left NY in 1986, I only remember the Cushman version. Turns out the brand still exists, as a subsidiary of Textron. Mostly what they make anymore are golf carts, UTVs based on golf carts, and electric carts for use inside warehouses, factories, etc.
Well, here’s one use from the the streets of Riverdale a few years back. Never saw the driver, but it might have been commercial.
https://www.instagram.com/p/sD7npFjpm3/?igshid=1jatxquf27r77
https://www.instagram.com/p/sD8h74Dpor/?igshid=1au17w3pyg2io
Reminds me of the British built AC Invacar.
Re: removing the governor, the golf course my family operated, and my cousins still do, used gas-powered, 3 whenHarley-Davidson golf carts from the early 60s through the 70s, finally replacing them with Yamaha electrics. The “ranger” cart, used to check there were no non-paying customers on the course, was an old Harley with red front fenders and the governor removed. It could motor, but the handling encouraged some prudence.
And speaking of electrics, I remember my uncle telling me when they brought in the Yamahas, they had to tech golfers to go full throttle when they were moving – they used a resister control, and if you feathered the peddle, you simply burned off the unused energy.