Tryane II: The Stunning Wooden Three-Wheeler Built by Hand

Wooden Wonder - In the world of custom vehicles, there's no shortage of wild ideas and eccentric creators—but every now and then, something truly extraordinary rolls into view. In an age dominated by metal, plastic, and carbon fiber, the idea of a wooden car might sound like something out of a fairy tale or a craftsman's daydream. Yet, nestled in the peaceful countryside of Pembrokeshire, a tiny village in Wales became the birthplace of one of the most curious automotive marvels ever built: the Tryane II, a handcrafted wooden three-wheeler unlike anything seen before.

The Tryane II crafted in the 1980s by a British cabinetmaker named Friend Wood in the peaceful countryside of Pembrokeshire, a tiny village in Wales, this unusual vehicle is more than just a novelty. (Picture from: EcoFriend)

Crafted in the 1980s by a British cabinetmaker with a fitting name—Friend Wood—this unusual vehicle is more than just a novelty. Inspired by boatbuilding techniques and driven by the desire to defy conventional thinking, Wood set out to build a car that would prove that craftsmanship and creativity could challenge automotive norms. His goal? To construct everything from scratch, excluding only the engine and drivetrain. And the results were nothing short of astonishing.

The Tryane II's body is built entirely from a mahogany variety called Kahya, sourced from Africa, took over 600 hours of careful layering and gluing, along with 20,000 staples that were later removed. (Picture from: Best of British on Facebook)

The Tryane II's soul lies in its deep roots—literally. Its body is built entirely from a mahogany variety called Kahya, sourced from Africa. This exotic hardwood was selected not just for its beauty, but for its surprising strength, light weight, and resistance to environmental threats such as moisture, rot, insects, and even fire, when treated properly. Friend Wood didn’t just use any wood—he used boat-grade, epoxy-impregnated plywood applied through a meticulous process known as cold moulding. Over 600 hours of careful layering and gluing, along with 20,000 staples that were later removed, went into forming the car’s elegant tear-drop body, resulting in a structure that is both aerodynamic and durable.

The Tryane II's body was built in two major shell-like components over a hand-sculpted male mold, a technique familiar to shipbuilders but foreign to car manufacturers. (Picture from: Aventure-Citroen-Min.Forumactif)

The body was built in two major shell-like components over a hand-sculpted male mold, a technique familiar to shipbuilders but foreign to car manufacturers. The monocoque frame of the Tryane II rivals the rigidity of truck chassis, yet it’s far lighter—only about 900 pounds (408 kg).

The Tryane II is an elegant evolution—one that captured the attention of the public when it appeared at the 1989 global Citroën 2CV gathering in Orléans. (Picture from: Aventure-Citroen-Min.Forumactif)

This lean design, combined with its aerodynamic shape, allows the car to reach speeds of up to 100 mph (160 km/h) while achieving fuel efficiency between 55 to 70 miles per gallon (4.3 L/100 km). Powering this impressive wooden shell is a modest but effective two-cylinder, air-cooled 602 cc boxer engine salvaged from a 1969 Citroën Dyane 6, matched with suspension components from the classic Citroën 2CV.

The Tryane II features a cockpit inspired by Formula 1 monocoques, designed as a seamless, unified structure. (Picture from: Best of British on Facebook)

As for its name, the Tryane II is a clever nod to its origins: a fusion of “three wheels” and the “Dyane” model it borrows from. Its predecessor, the Tryane I, was rougher around the edges, but this second version is an elegant evolution—one that captured the attention of the public when it appeared at the 1989 global Citroën 2CV gathering in Orléans.

The Tryane II's seating area hides thoughtful design choices, such as a removable seatback to access the spare wheel and shock absorbers, and a floor that can be lifted to reach key suspension and exhaust components. (Picture from: Best of British on Facebook)

While the vehicle’s performance is notable, it’s the design process that truly defines the Tryane II. Friend Wood started by sketching the vehicle at 1:5 scale, creating detailed models, and transferring full-sized outlines onto wooden panels. He sculpted the body’s mold from softwood and particle board, onto which he laid three thin layers of mahogany veneer, laminated with epoxy to form the final shape. Even the tank, which holds 30 liters, is built from reinforced plywood with interior baffles to prevent fuel sloshing. The windows and headlights are fitted with plexiglass, and components like the windshield—repurposed from the rear window of a Saab 96—were ingeniously reused for their perfect curvature.

The Tryane II takes its name from a clever blend of “three wheels” and the Citroën “Dyane” model it’s based on. (Picture from: WeirdWheels on Reddit)

Inside, the Tryane II’s cockpit draws inspiration from Formula 1 monocoques, emphasizing a single, flowing structure. The seating area hides thoughtful design choices, such as a removable seatback to access the spare wheel and shock absorbers, and a floor that can be lifted to reach key suspension and exhaust components. Even the hinges on the front cover were repurposed from Citroën 2CV doors, reflecting Wood’s talent for reimagining familiar parts in new contexts.

The Tryane II showcases a varnished mahogany body whose natural grain glows in the light, creating a striking sculptural presence. (Picture from: Best of British on Facebook)

It’s impossible to overlook the visual charm of the Tryane II. The natural grain of its varnished mahogany body glows in the light, giving it an almost sculptural presence. Wherever Friend Wood traveled in his creation, crowds gathered, amazed not just by the craftsmanship, but by the sheer boldness of the concept. And he always welcomed their curiosity, answering every question with the enthusiasm of someone who had spent over 2,000 hours turning imagination into reality. | qE02kbC0yP8 |

More than just a quirky DIY project, the Tryane II stands as a celebration of ingenuity, patience, and a deep respect for traditional craftsmanship. It reminds us that with the right mix of vision and skill, even the most unconventional materials can be transformed into something truly extraordinary. And in a world racing toward automation and synthetic design, this wooden wonder from Wales gently taps the brakes—and turns every head along the way. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | NEWS.BBC | AVENTURE-CITROEN-MIN.FORUMACTIF | ELEPHANTANDCHICKEN | ECOFRIEND | BEST OF BRITISH ON FACEBOOK ]

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