SOLVED - Whatsit #1 - 1958 Arbel

[Ray B.]

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!

[Ray B.]

Clues:
French, 1950's, never produced (you might have guessed this one)

[Otto Puzzell]

Socema Gregoire?

[Ray B.]

Good try, but no. This one is less known.

[Otto Puzzell]

From Japan?

[Ray B.]

Clues:
French, 1950's, never produced (you might have guessed this one)

Didn't I answer that?

[Otto Puzzell]

D'oh!

[Otto Puzzell]

How about a Renault Étoile Filante

[Ray B.]

Neither.

[Allan L]

Power units look as if the may be small gas turbines. Turbomeca was renowned for making such things, so perhaps they were involved

[Ray B.]

I can't say. But it was supposed to be possibly powered by gas indeed, gasoline, or even ATOM !

[SeaLion]

Probably not related to the 1958 Simca Fulgur?

[Ray B.]

No connection

[Ray B.]

All right. It's no fun when it lasts too long.
I'll give you puzzlers a clue: the rear of the car.

[Paul Jaray]

Ok, now it's clear...is that the french Arbel from 1958?

[Paul Jaray]

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.

[Paul Jaray]

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.

[Ray B.]

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 ?

[Allan L]

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

[Paul Jaray]

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....