Know what it is?
What car was this odd powerplant supposed to propel ?
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Thanks!
Clues:
French, 1950's, never produced (you might have guessed this one)
Socema Gregoire?
Good try, but no. This one is less known.
From Japan?
Quote from: Ray B. on January 24, 2008, 04:35:40 AM
Clues:
French, 1950's, never produced (you might have guessed this one)
Didn't I answer that?
D'oh!
How about a Renault Étoile Filante
Neither.
Power units look as if the may be small gas turbines. Turbomeca was renowned for making such things, so perhaps they were involved
I can't say. But it was supposed to be possibly powered by gas indeed, gasoline, or even ATOM !
Probably not related to the 1958 Simca Fulgur?
No connection
All right. It's no fun when it lasts too long.
I'll give you puzzlers a clue: the rear of the car.
Ok, now it's clear...is that the french Arbel from 1958?
From "Weird Cars": There have been many attempts at finding alternative fuel sources for cars, and experiments continue even today, but none has exceeded the weirdness of the Arbel from France, wich boasted a Genastatom nuclear reactor as its power source. For 1958, this was a car virtually from science fiction: it had headlights which switched on and off automatically, ashtrays that emptied themselves (on to the road), a windscreen washer which was filled by rainwater, and an electric-drive transmission and braking system. A lavish brochure was produced, but shortly afterwards this most unusual of machines disappeared leaving many unpaid creditors.
From Georgano's Encyclopedia: The Arbel was a modern attempt at making a petrol-electric car, which despite several years of experiment never left the prototype stage. It used a rear-mounted petrol engine to drive four electric motors, one in each wheel.
You're right, and make me wonder if I shouldn't have left you a bit longer in the dark... You'd have found it anyhow in the end, wouldn't you ?
Quote from: PAUL JARAY on February 03, 2008, 03:12:57 AM
From Georgano's Encyclopedia: The Arbel was a modern attempt at making a petrol-electric car, which despite several years of experiment never left the prototype stage. It used a rear-mounted petrol engine to drive four electric motors, one in each wheel.
Probably infringing Dr Porsche's patents from when he designed for Lohner ;D
QuoteYou'd have found it anyhow in the end, wouldn't you ?
I missed your reply when you said that it was powered also by Atom, that was a great hint, but then I saw the pic....