AutoPuzzles - The Internet's Museum of Rare Cars!

Puzzles, Games and Name That Car => Solved AutoPuzzles => 2008 => Topic started by: Ray B. on December 16, 2007, 11:42:29 AM

Title: SOLVED - Whatsit #1 - 1958 Arbel
Post by: Ray B. on December 16, 2007, 11:42:29 AM
Know what it is?

What car was this odd powerplant supposed to propel ?

Also, please be sure to check out our other puzzles, and, please post a puzzle of your own if you'd like - the more, the merrier.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Whatsit #1
Post by: Ray B. on January 24, 2008, 04:35:40 AM
Clues:
French, 1950's, never produced (you might have guessed this one)
Title: Re: Whatsit #1
Post by: Otto Puzzell on January 24, 2008, 05:36:15 AM
Socema Gregoire?
Title: Re: Whatsit #1
Post by: Ray B. on January 24, 2008, 05:45:46 AM
Good try, but no. This one is less known.
Title: Re: Whatsit #1
Post by: Otto Puzzell on January 24, 2008, 05:48:41 AM
From Japan?
Title: Re: Whatsit #1
Post by: Ray B. on January 24, 2008, 05:51:36 AM
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?
Title: Re: Whatsit #1
Post by: Otto Puzzell on January 24, 2008, 06:01:31 AM
D'oh!
Title: Re: Whatsit #1
Post by: Otto Puzzell on January 24, 2008, 06:03:30 AM
How about a Renault Étoile Filante
Title: Re: Whatsit #1
Post by: Ray B. on January 24, 2008, 06:12:42 AM
Neither.
Title: Re: Whatsit #1
Post by: Allan L on January 24, 2008, 06:32:41 AM
Power units look as if the may be small gas turbines. Turbomeca was renowned for making such things, so perhaps they were involved
Title: Re: Whatsit #1
Post by: Ray B. on January 24, 2008, 12:46:13 PM
I can't say. But it was supposed to be possibly powered by gas indeed, gasoline, or even ATOM !
Title: Re: Whatsit #1
Post by: SeaLion on January 26, 2008, 09:17:12 AM
Probably not related to the 1958 Simca Fulgur?
Title: Re: Whatsit #1
Post by: Ray B. on January 26, 2008, 09:24:23 AM
No connection
Title: Re: Whatsit #1
Post by: Ray B. on February 02, 2008, 05:55:29 PM
All right. It's no fun when it lasts too long.
I'll give you puzzlers a clue: the rear of the car.
Title: Re: Whatsit #1
Post by: Paul Jaray on February 03, 2008, 02:48:36 AM
Ok, now it's clear...is that the french Arbel from 1958?
Title: Re: Whatsit #1
Post by: Paul Jaray on February 03, 2008, 03:05:43 AM
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.
Title: Re: Whatsit #1
Post by: 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.
Title: Re: SOLVED - Whatsit #1 - 1958 Arbel
Post by: Ray B. on February 03, 2008, 04:08:54 AM
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 ?
Title: Re: Whatsit #1
Post by: Allan L on February 03, 2008, 04:19:23 AM
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
Title: Re: SOLVED - Whatsit #1 - 1958 Arbel
Post by: Paul Jaray on February 03, 2008, 04:32:43 AM
Quote
You'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....