Yet another cool car

[jinman]

Any of you folks around Nashville ever see this little Helicron?

A buddy just sent me pictures and a description of this unique little car. I bet it could sure clear pedestrians out of an intersection.

In the late 1930s this one-of-a-kind Helicron was
> placed in a barn and forgotten. More than six decades later this odd
> lost little gem was rediscovered, rebuilt, and reintroduced to the
> world. Although the manufacturer is unknown, it's believed that this
> car was built in France 1932. Following WW1 it was not uncommon for
> recently displaced airplane engineers to look towards the automobile
> industry for employment.
>
> As in this example, a few entrepreneurs developed
> propeller-powered cars with the notion that propeller power was an
> efficient means of moving a vehicle.On this car, when the wooden
> propeller is spinning at full speed and efficiently, this little
> 1,000-pound boat-tailed skiff can hit freeway speeds exceeding 75 mph.
> This is the one and only Helicron in existence, owned by Lane Motor
> Museum in Nashville, TN.​

 

[Dmace]

I feel bad for the bugs, normally they only splat against a windshield now they have to get shredded by a prop before splatting against a windshield.

Cool Car!

 

[MossRoad]

Clear prop!

 

[JayC]

I'd hate to hit a deer in that car! Seriously, though, it is a very cool looking car. When reading that little snippet at the top I couldn't help but think what that may bring at Barrett-Jackson.

 

[Heywood Jannockitov]

"Honey, I can't find that jug of prop wash!"

 

[scott_vt]

Any of you folks around Nashville ever see this little Helicron?

A buddy just sent me pictures and a description of this unique little car. I bet it could sure clear pedestrians out of an intersection.

Good Mornin Jim,
Put a set of wings on that baby, and the cops will never get you !

 

[rvaitor]

Any of you folks around Nashville ever see this little Helicron?

A buddy just sent me pictures and a description of this unique little car. I bet it could sure clear pedestrians out of an intersection.

In the late 1930s this one-of-a-kind Helicron was
> placed in a barn and forgotten. More than six decades later this odd
> lost little gem was rediscovered, rebuilt, and reintroduced to the
> world. Although the manufacturer is unknown, it's believed that this
> car was built in France 1932. Following WW1 it was not uncommon for
> recently displaced airplane engineers to look towards the automobile
> industry for employment.
>
> As in this example, a few entrepreneurs developed
> propeller-powered cars with the notion that propeller power was an
> efficient means of moving a vehicle.On this car, when the wooden
> propeller is spinning at full speed and efficiently, this little
> 1,000-pound boat-tailed skiff can hit freeway speeds exceeding 75 mph.
> This is the one and only Helicron in existence, owned by Lane Motor
> Museum in Nashville, TN.​

Yes, I live in Nashville and am a founding member of the Lane Motor Museum - Nashville, TN. This museum is spectacular and world class. For anyone visiting Music City this is a must see Museum. It's very inexpensive admission, but their collection of vehicles is over 400 now so an incredible value. Mostly European with air power, mini cars, Czech cars(Tatra), the Nissan Heritage Collection and more to see and investigate. All are kept in running condition with several special ride and drive events annually. Hours of interesting vehicles to look at.

Anyone visiting PM me and I'll swing over and show you around.

 

[Heywood Jannockitov]

That looks like an awesome collection Rvaitor! You even have a three-wheeled Davis!, Wow! And lots of Tatras! Cool. Does Czechsonofagun know about this?
I'll definitely have to make an effort to get to Nashville.
I wish I still had my 69 Rover 2000TC. BTW, it had 124 hp, not 100. Maybe was 100 kw? Anyway, thanks for the link

 

[jinman]

Anyone visiting PM me and I'll swing over and show you around.

Thanks, Shelby, if I'm in the area, I'll sure take you up on the offer.

 

[scott_vt]

Yes, I live in Nashville and am a founding member of the Lane Motor Museum - Nashville, TN. This museum is spectacular and world class. For anyone visiting Music City this is a must see Museum. It's very inexpensive admission, but their collection of vehicles is over 400 now so an incredible value. Mostly European with air power, mini cars, Czech cars(Tatra), the Nissan Heritage Collection and more to see and investigate. All are kept in running condition with several special ride and drive events annually. Hours of interesting vehicles to look at.

Anyone visiting PM me and I'll swing over and show you around.

Good Evenin Shelby,
Actually I will be in Nashville friday Dec 5th through Dec 8th. My wife is there for a conference, and I may need something to keep me busy for a few hours ! I will try and find time to visit the museum ! Thanks !

 

[czechsonofagun]

That looks like an awesome collection Rvaitor! You even have a three-wheeled Davis!, Wow! And lots of Tatras! Cool. Does Czechsonofagun know about this?
I'll definitely have to make an effort to get to Nashville.
I wish I still had my 69 Rover 2000TC. BTW, it had 124 hp, not 100. Maybe was 100 kw? Anyway, thanks for the link

No, I had no clue. When we travel south, I will definitely stop there. They have an amazing collection - Trabi too and Zundap Janus and Velorex - actually the older Velorex was even more curios.

Great job rvaitor

 

[JC-jetro]

Jim,

Wow , never seen a beast like that with such aerodynamically challenged design. Very interesting indeed, I'd probably have a rear wheel prop, rgther than front wheel prop system for better propulsion.

You'll have a bad hair day, every day.. Guaranteed!!

JC,

 

[scott_vt]

Good Evenin Guys,
Just a little quick backround prior to this post. My wife had to go on a business trip to Nashville and she asked me to tag along ! Following this thread I realized that there was some interesting things to see in Nashville, like the Lane Motor Museum, which rvaitor is a founding member and also a TBN member. I pm-ed Shelby a few days before we left but couldnt get a hold of him in time to meet. I did however have the good fortune of going to this fine museum and i got some great shots which Jim was kind enough to let me post them on his thread, you guys know how I can steal a thread !

So here a a few of many shots that I took, I will try and post them over the next few days !

BTW the red vehicle, third in from the left was one of my favorites, invented in France by a fireman that realized that he couldnt turn his vehicle around on many of the narrow streets, he simply got into the other end of the vehicle to drive away !

 

[scott_vt]

Good Evenin Again Boys,
Im sure I can help with some of the explanations on these vehicles, but Im hoping Shelby will jump in and help me out !

Here are some more great shots !

 

[scott_vt]

Heres some more guys,

BTW, Shelby was correct, it was very inexpensive to get into the museum. And of course I got the senior discount, they only require you to be 55, and you guys all know Im closer to 60 than 55 ! Only $3 addmission ! A definite bargain !

 

[JC-jetro]

Heres some more guys,

BTW, Shelby was correct, it was very inexpensive to get into the museum. And of course I got the senior discount, they only require you to be 55, and you guys all know Im closer to 60 than 55 ! Only $3 addmission ! A definite bargain !

Thanks for posting Scotty,

My favorite is French Citroen model "deux chevaux" that is first top left picture. It has two cylinders and drives like a dream mainly going down hill only Going uphill is a battle.It does have the most unique shifter that you can not find on any other car, you push the shifter handle in and out along with quarter turn to the right and left for different gears. it's a blast to driveD

JC,

 

[jinman]

Great stuff! Scotty, I'd bet your post will generate a few more visits to that museum. It's hard to realize how they can get along on such low admission fees. The front of the building looks very non-descript, almost like an old school building. There's nothing to catch your eye or draw you in. But... once inside, it's a car lover's dream. I'd love to lift the hood on everyone of those cars. What a hoot! Thanks for taking the time to post. I'm jealous.

 

[scott_vt]

Good Evenin Jim,
Yes, hopefully it will do just that, what a great place !

Here are a few more, maybe you might recognize one in this batch Jim !

 

[scott_vt]

Thanks for posting Scotty,

My favorite is French Citroen model "deux chevaux" that is first top left picture. It has two cylinders and drives like a dream mainly going down hill only Going uphill is a battle.It does have the most unique shifter that you can not find on any other car, you push the shifter handle in and out along with quarter turn to the right and left for different gears. it's a blast to driveD

JC,

Good Evenin JC,
Glad you enjoyed them ! Sounds like that shifter might take a little gettin used to !

 

[Bird]

A lot of interesting pictures of some weird machines that I've never seen before.