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1932 Helicron No. 1
This car was built in France in 1932. Following the First World War it was not uncommon for recently displaced airplane engines to look towards the burgeoning automobile industry for more lucrative employment. As in this example, a few entrepreneurs developed propeller-powered cars with the notion that a propeller was an efficient means of moving a vehicle. This one-of-a-kind, propeller driven car was discovered in a barn in France in 2000, having been placed there by the original owner in the late 1930's.
It was completely rebuilt but many of the mechanical components are original, including the frame, wire wheels, dashboard, steering wheel, steering gear, brake pedal, light switch, headlights, and the type plate.
The wood frame was sandblasted and treated, the steering gear was rebuilt, and the interior was upholstered. The car steers with the rear wheels and only those wheels have springs. It is currently equipped with a Citroen GS engine with the propeller coupled directly to the crankshaft.
This Helicron passed the French safety inspection in 2000 and is approved for use on the roads. When the wooden propeller is spinning at full rpm, this little 1,000-pound boat-tailed skiff can hit freeway speeds exceeding 75 mph. As you might expect, this is the one and only Helicron in existence.
This car was built in France in 1932. Following the First World War it was not uncommon for recently displaced airplane engines to look towards the burgeoning automobile industry for more lucrative employment. As in this example, a few entrepreneurs developed propeller-powered cars with the notion that a propeller was an efficient means of moving a vehicle. This one-of-a-kind, propeller driven car was discovered in a barn in France in 2000, having been placed there by the original owner in the late 1930's.
It was completely rebuilt but many of the mechanical components are original, including the frame, wire wheels, dashboard, steering wheel, steering gear, brake pedal, light switch, headlights, and the type plate.
The wood frame was sandblasted and treated, the steering gear was rebuilt, and the interior was upholstered. The car steers with the rear wheels and only those wheels have springs. It is currently equipped with a Citroen GS engine with the propeller coupled directly to the crankshaft.
This Helicron passed the French safety inspection in 2000 and is approved for use on the roads. When the wooden propeller is spinning at full rpm, this little 1,000-pound boat-tailed skiff can hit freeway speeds exceeding 75 mph. As you might expect, this is the one and only Helicron in existence.
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