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Sunday, March 7, 2021

Did You know the gorgeous classic Paul Arzens' whales?

ONE-OFF Maybe some of you still remember the article we wrote and published some time ago about the figure of a tiny car known as L'Oeuf or L'Oeuf Electrique (Electric Egg). This futuristic car was made by French visionary artist, industrial designer and engineer named Paul Arzens in 1942.
1938 La Baleine, an almost 7 meters long two-seater cabriolet built on a 1920s old Buick chassis by Paul Arzens. (Picture from: Carsthatnevermadeitetc)
As quoted from Wikipedia, apart from designing and making the unique car mentioned above, it turns out that Paul Arzens had previously designed and made another unique car known as La Baleine (the whale) twice. It seems that the car's name in addition referring to its size is also to its design which resembles to those biggest marine mammal at glance.
1938 La Baleine featured with the integrated headlights, a panoramic curved windshield (made of the plexiglas) and a proto-pontoon format style. (Picture from: Carsthatnevermadeitetc)
The first prototype of La Baleine was a sleek and attractive two-seater cabriolet built in 1937 - 1938 on a 1920s old Buick chassis. The car, which is nearly 7 meters long, is powered by a 3.5 liter (214 cubic inch) six-cylinder engine and is claimed to be capable of producing enough power to carry it to a top speed of 160 kph.
1938 La Baleine now sat on display as one of the many collections that are incorporated in the Bugattis of the Schlumpf Collection at the Cité de l'Automobile in Mulhouse, France. (Picture from: Carsthatnevermadeitetc)
This gorgeous car figure features integrated headlights, a panoramic curved windshield (made of the plexiglas) and a proto-pontoon format style, a design that was later anticipated to be the sports car of the 1950s and 1960s. It was remained one-off and once featured in the famous Tintin cartoon series.
1938 La Baleine was remained one-off and once featured in the famous Tintin cartoon series. (Picture from: Carsthatnevermadeitetc)
Then the 2nd prototype of La Baliene was made by Paul Arzens two years after the first. At that time France was during the German occupation which made the fuel especially gasoline for civilians use, being scarce. Due to it was made in difficult conditions for fuel, Paul Arzens made it as an electric powered vehicle sourced of the accumulator batteries that weighs 1,100 kg.
1938 La Baleine powered by a 3.5 liter (214 cubic inch) six-cylinder engine and is claimed to be capable of producing enough power to carry it to a top speed of 160 kph. (Picture from: Carsthatnevermadeitetc)
The second La Belaine prototype is made similar to the first (at least on the exterior), but is built on the chassis of an old Fiat which is much lighter than the Buick. The electric motor of this car is claimed capable of generating the power around 10 hp with a range of 200 km at speeds ranging from 65/70 kph.
The electric version of La Baleine (2nd prototype) while on driving by Paul Arzens in the 1942. (Picture from: Bubblemania)
Today, the first La Belaine prototype of 1937 together with the 1942 L'Oeuf Electrique are one of the many collections that are incorporated in the Bugattis of the Schlumpf Collection in the place what has become the Cité de l'Automobile in Mulhouse, France. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WIKIPEDIA | CARSTHATNEVERMADEITETC | LAUTOMOBILEANCIENNE | BUBBLEMANIA ]
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