Here were the innovative unsuccessful Aérocarène three-wheeled vehicles

Weird ONES There are many uniquely shaped cars that have ever been made, and indeed not all of them are able to produce the results as expected. Well, many of them came up with a variety of innovative features but failed to attract attention due to many reasons, and finally people immediately forgot about them.

The exceptional environment of the Grand Palais highlights this Aérocarène 700 three-wheeled prototype. (Picture from: Aerocarene.fr)

And the following is an example of a unique aeroplane-similar designed vehicle named Aérocarène 700 is made by two French engineers named C. Desbenoît and G. Bodu. Reportedly, it was introduced shortly after World War II ended, at the Paris Motor Show held in October 1947. Unfortunately, just because of unfavorable circumstances and conditions that the vehicle could not be produced.

Colorized photo of the prototype of the Aérocarène 700 appeared in a superb royal blue completed with crystal steering wheel during the 1947 Paris Auto Show at the Grand Palais in Paris. (Picture from: Aerocarene.fr)

As you can see the Aérocarène has a very unusual three-wheeled construction that can accommodate two passengers in its cabin which is made of Duralinox aluminum alloy. Furthermore, when viewed from the engine and body sizes, this unique-shaped car can be classified as a microcar. Uniquely to get into the cabin, the entire front of the body must be pushed forward, due to it has no doors. Then for ventilation it is done by sliding the Perspex roof with the windshield forward like a kind of targa.

The Aérocarène 700 prototype is unveiled at the 1947 Paris Motor Show held in October. (Picture from: Zwichenghas)

It doesn't stop there, the front wheel has an aerodynamic cover coupled with the headlights were integrated to it, and therefore the light shines in the direction you are steering. This is what is known today as dynamic cornering lights, as we could be found also on the Tucker Torpedo, a concept car penned by George Lawson which later attempted to build into reality by Alex Tremulis, later known as Tucker 48.

View of the Aérocarène 700's cabin at the 1947 Paris Motor Show at the Grand Palais in Paris. (Picture from: Zwichenghas)

To support driving comfort (if want to be called that), the car is equipped with an independent front suspension system with double wishbones and torsional stabilizer. Meanwhile for the rear suspension mounted on a single wheel consisting of coil springs. 

The Aérocarène 700 prototype has a very unusual three-wheeled construction that can accommodate two passengers in its cabin which is made of Duralinox aluminum alloy. (Picture from: Zwichenghas)

While to tame its running speed, a hydraulic braking system is installed on the unique car; this was quite special because in the 1940s for such this small car the cable using was still common, coupled with rack and pinion steering being able to be moved from left to right.

The steering wheel of the Aérocarène 700 is said to be made of crystal coupled with a luxurious interior intended for high-end customers and inspired by the  Delahaye' cars. (Picture from: Aerocarene.fr)

Reportedly, this unique car is driven by an air-cooled two-cylinder 700 cc two-stroke engine that is said capable of producing around 23 hp at 4,000 rpm and is coupled to an electromagnetic Cotal Transmission with four forward gears. Furthermore, according to its brochure, the 280 kg weighted small French-made car is said to be capable of reaching a top speed of 120 kph. Presumably no copies were ever made and only brochures were shown at the auto show in Paris at the time.

Illustration moving mechanism of the entire front of the Aérocarène 700' body for access to the cabin. (Picture from: KlassiekerPassie.nl)

How did it happen? Because it said at that time car manufacturers had to ask permission from the government in advance, this was related to the scarcity of raw materials that occurred after the 2nd World War was over. In short, the manufacturer did not get French goverment' permission as the result it could not get the raw materials needed, so the Aérocarène project had to be ceased. Too bad... seems it would be good to run on the streets.

Uniquely, due to it has no doors, so to get into the Aérocarène 700' cabin, the entire front of the body must be pushed forward. (Picture from: KlassiekerPassie.nl)

And only in the 1950s, the German aircraft manufacturer Messerschmitt launched the similar 'plane on wheels' named the KR200 Kabinenroller which was quite successful, followed by its four-wheeled version called the FMR Tg500 'Tiger' in the 1960s.

The design drawings for the next three-wheeled vehicle model called the Aérocarène 1100 were made in 1948. (Picture from: Zwichenghas)

In 2020, there was news that the Aérocarène maker said they would revive this three-wheeled vehicle powered by an electric motor, at that time they said this new model would be launched in 2021. Well, it's already 2023, but no there are signs that this new model has been launched. Do any of you know about it? Let us know via the comments column below.😎 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AEROCARANE.FR | ZWISCHENGAS | KLASSIEKERPASSIE.NL | DZEN.RU | WIKIPEDIA | ALLCARINDEX | SMALLCARSCLUB | ELECTREK | PINTEREST ]

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