But I -- and a few hundred others -- saw one this morning.
It's a 1948 Davis car, brainchild of a Californian named Gary Davis. Beginning with an experimental three-wheel car built by race-car manufacturer Frank Kurtis at the end of World War II, Davis planned to revolutionize transportation with this "aircraft-inspired" design. It didn't work; after building 16 cars -- 15 of which apparently still exist -- Davis got into serious trouble with the government for supposedly fraudulent stock sales -- he was a guest of the state for a couple of years -- and called it quits...
The rear view is as strange as the front, albeit wider because it has two wheels, not one, in the back...
Inside, it has room for two or three passengers...
This one is not totally original. Every Davis had a heavy, low-powered four-cylinder engine built originally for industrial use. Somewhere along the line, this one received a Ford "flathead" V8, which probably weighs less than the original...
Here it is driving away, with its light steel hardtop in place. Headlights, as you can see, were hidden behind vacuum-operated doors...
From all reports, the Davis tended to go around corners on two wheels. This bothered some drivers. Hell, it would bother me, and I'm always up for driving weird cars.
This Davis is going to a new home in Connecticut -- by truck, not under its own power -- so I suppose I won't be seeing it again.
After this moment of trivia, we return you to scheduled programming....
6 comments:
It is cool looking in a way but seems like a bad idea. I'm not big on small hood openings. Or two wheel corners.
At least people were trying. That's more purple than my car. I feel better.
Three wheeled cars are still around, but two wheels in front and one in back is a bit better for stability, I think. Still a cool car for cruising the main drag.
I've never even heard of a Davis, much less seen one. Thanks for sharing. :)
S
It looks like something from the 1950's version of Tomorrowland. But cool. Actually, the 1950's version of Tomorrowland is cool.
i must be weird but i actually quite like it!
It looks like a car right out of the Jetsons. Recently you've been playing with some very odd vehicles. :)
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