Biotechnia Ellinikon Trikyklon (Βιοτεχνία Ελληνικών Τρίκυκλων, "Greek Three-Wheeler Manufacturer"), or BET, was a small vehicle
manufacturer founded in
Athens by Petros Konstantinou. It was one of several manufacturers - the first appearing in the early 1940s - that converted
BMW or other motorcycles into light utility three-wheelers. In 1965 it entirely designed and built a
small five-seat passenger car with a
BMW 125cc
motorcycle engine. Although the type was certified, only one was built due to problems in availability of parts for further
production. Following this design, three-wheeled truck models were developed and produced. A second passenger car model was designed and introduced in 1973, known as model ''
500 500 may refer to:
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'', with a
Fiat
Fiat Automobiles S.p.A. (, , ; originally FIAT, it, Fabbrica Italiana Automobili di Torino, lit=Italian Automobiles Factory of Turin) is an Italian automobile manufacturer, formerly part of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, and since 2021 a subsidiary ...
500cc engine. With metal body, seating up to five passengers and featuring very good road handling, it was a rather advanced three-wheeler for its time. It was certified for production and 15 were built, of which one survives to this date in excellent condition. There were even talks with a
South African __NOTOC__
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company involving plans for exports or even transfer of production to that country, but they were never realized. The company ceased production in 1975.
See also
*
Reliant Robin: a similar car from the UK
References
* L.S. Skartsis and G.A. Avramidis, "Made in Greece", Typorama, Patras, Greece (2003) (republished by the University of Patras Science Park, 2007).
L.S. Skartsis, "Greek Vehicle & Machine Manufacturers 1800 to present: A Pictorial History", Marathon (2012) (eBook)
* M. Arvanitopoulos, "Istoria tou Ellinikou Motosykletismou (History of the Motorcycle in Greece)", Mototech, Athens (2006) .
* K. Bitsikokos, "Affordable cars made in Greece", ''Auto Bild (Hellas)'', issue 22, Feb 29, 2008.
* Petros Konstantinou archive.
Three-wheeled motor vehicles
Defunct motor vehicle manufacturers of Greece
Manufacturing companies based in Athens
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