Forgotten Ingenuity - From the dawn of automotive creativity, inventors have constantly sought to challenge conventional designs, sometimes producing vehicles so unusual they remain etched in history for their audacity rather than their success. Among these imaginative machines was a strikingly unique three-wheeled car that looked as if it had descended straight from the skies—an aircraft-inspired creation known as
the Aérocarène 700.
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| The Aérocarène 700 three-wheeled prototype was showcased at the Grand Palais, drawing attention for its unique design and innovation. (Picture from: Aerocarene.fr) |
Crafted by
French engineers C. Desbenoît and
G. Bodu,
the Aérocarène made its debut at
the Paris Motor Show in October 1947,
just a couple of years after the world emerged from the shadows of World War II. At first glance, it was clear this was no ordinary vehicle.
Its three-wheel configuration and microcar proportions created a compact yet futuristic profile,
while the cabin, constructed from Duralinox aluminum alloy,
could seat two passengers snugly.
Instead of conventional doors,
the entire front of the body slid forward to allow entry—a bold solution that foreshadowed modern targa-top designs, with ventilation provided by a sliding Perspex roof.
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A colorized photo shows the Aérocarène 700 prototype in a striking royal blue, complete with a crystal steering wheel, displayed at the 1947 Paris Auto Show in the Grand Palais. (Picture from: Aerocarene.fr)
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The design extended beyond aesthetics.
Its front wheel was shrouded in an aerodynamic cover,
seamlessly integrating headlights that followed the steering direction,
a concept today recognized as dynamic cornering lights. This clever feature bore similarities to the innovations seen later in
the Tucker Torpedo, a visionary project from the late 1940s penned by
George Lawson which later attempted to build into reality by
Alex Tremulis, later known as
Tucker 48.
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| The Aérocarène 700 prototype was unveiled in October 1947 at the Paris Motor Show, drawing attention with its innovative three-wheeled design. (Picture from: Zwichenghas) |
For its time,
the Aérocarène was also mechanically advanced:
the front wheels featured an independent suspension with double wishbones and a torsional stabilizer,
while the single rear wheel relied on coil springs.
Hydraulic brakes replaced the cable-operated systems typical of small cars in the 1940s,
and rack-and-pinion steering allowed precise control from left to right.
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| A detailed view of the Aérocarène 700’s cabin was showcased at the 1947 Paris Motor Show, held at the Grand Palais in Paris, highlighting its innovative design. (Picture from: Zwichenghas) |
Powering this futuristic microcar was
a modest air-cooled, two-cylinder 700 cc two-stroke engine,
capable of producing approximately 23 hp at 4,000 rpm.
Coupled with an electromagnetic Cotal transmission featuring four forward gears,
the 280 kg car was reportedly capable of reaching 120 kph—a remarkable feat for such a lightweight vehicle. Despite the impressive brochure claims,
the Aérocarène never progressed beyond these prototypes; no production units were made.
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| The Aérocarène 700 prototype features an unusual three-wheeled design, with a Duralinox aluminum alloy cabin that accommodates two passengers. (Picture from: Zwichenghas) |
The reason behind this abrupt halt lay not in the car’s design,
but in the era’s economic reality.
Post-war France faced severe shortages of raw materials,
and any new automotive production required explicit government approval. Without permission, the engineers could not secure the necessary resources, forcing the project to a premature end. It was a missed opportunity, as
the Aérocarène’s design and engineering hinted at a vehicle that could have been a standout on urban streets.
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| The Aérocarène 700 features a crystal steering wheel and a luxurious interior, designed for high-end customers and inspired by Delahaye automobiles. (Picture from: Aerocarene.fr) |
A few years after
the Aérocarène first appeared,
a similar idea took shape in Germany.
In the 1950s,
aircraft manufacturer Messerschmitt introduced
the KR200 Kabinenroller,
a three-wheeled vehicle often described as a “plane on wheels.” Unlike
the Aérocarène,
the KR200 successfully reached the market,
capturing public attention with its compact,
aerodynamic design. Its popularity showed that aircraft-inspired vehicles could be practical and appealing when timing and circumstances aligned.
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| An illustration shows the mechanism that allows the entire front of the Aérocarène 700’s body to move, providing access to the cabin. (Picture from: KlassiekerPassie.nl) |
Building on that concept,
Messerschmitt later developed a four-wheeled version called
the FMR Tg500 during the 1960s.
This model continued the “plane on wheels” philosophy but offered enhanced stability and performance, proving that the original idea behind
the Aérocarène was not impossible—it simply required the right environment and resources to thrive.
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| To enter the Aérocarène 700’s cabin, the entire front of the body must slide forward, a unique solution since the car has no doors. (Picture from: KlassiekerPassie.nl) |
Decades later,
the Aérocarène itself briefly reemerged in discussions about automotive innovation.
In 2020,
reports indicated that the original creators planned to revive the three-wheeled design with an electric motor,
aiming for a 2021 launch.
However,
as 2023 has arrived, no evidence suggests that this modern reinterpretation has hit the roads,
leaving car enthusiasts curious and somewhat wistful about what might have been.
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| The Aérocarène 1100, the next three-wheeled model, had its design drawings prepared in 1948. (Picture from: Zwichenghas) |
Despite never reaching full production,
the Aérocarène 700 stands as
a remarkable symbol of post-war creativity. Its daring design and inventive engineering remind us that true innovation often faces hurdles beyond technical skill alone. Sometimes, the most extraordinary vehicles are those that remain in memory—a fleeting vision of what could have transformed the streets and inspired generations of automotive design.😎
*** [EKA [15042023] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AEROCARANE.FR | ZWISCHENGAS | KLASSIEKERPASSIE.NL | DZEN.RU | WIKIPEDIA | ALLCARINDEX | SMALLCARSCLUB | ELECTREK | PINTEREST ]
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