RUMCars Forum

General Category => Unusual Microcar Discussion => Topic started by: Barry on February 02, 2013, 02:12:31 pm

Title: The French Way
Post by: Barry on February 02, 2013, 02:12:31 pm
Just for interest.........
Title: Re: The French Way
Post by: Chris Thomas on February 02, 2013, 03:49:02 pm
That is truly amazing
It looks like the steering is done by applying the brake to one or other of the big wheels, as the front roller is probably only on a caster. I love the aerodynamic tail to make it handle better at high speed.

Do you have any other info on it?

Chris Thomas
Title: Re: The French Way
Post by: AndrewG on February 02, 2013, 03:53:42 pm
A little 'alors', but a lot of 'zut'.
Title: Re: The French Way
Post by: marcus on February 02, 2013, 05:17:43 pm
I love it! When it comes to truly ridiculous contraptions (in a nice way!) the French and the British lead the world, possibly the Universe too.
Title: Re: The French Way
Post by: Barry on February 02, 2013, 05:59:33 pm
That is truly amazing
It looks like the steering is done by applying the brake to one or other of the big wheels, as the front roller is probably only on a caster. I love the aerodynamic tail to make it handle better at high speed.

Do you have any other info on it?

Chris Thomas
Sorry, no info.  Just came across the photo from my link on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/MotorcycleCommunity
Title: Re: The French Way
Post by: Rusty Chrome (Malcolm Parker) on February 02, 2013, 06:07:13 pm
http://en.retromobile.com/Events-2012/An-extraordinary-look-back-at-the-history-of-amphibian-cars (http://en.retromobile.com/Events-2012/An-extraordinary-look-back-at-the-history-of-amphibian-cars)
Title: Re: The French Way
Post by: marcus on February 03, 2013, 09:29:22 am
^ Wow, and I thought the streamlined hull shape of the car was purely for style!
Title: Re: The French Way
Post by: richard on February 03, 2013, 09:35:31 am
well it seems to work for the Blue Whale  :)
Title: Re: The French Way
Post by: marcus on February 03, 2013, 09:52:02 am
Wot, do blue whales have wheels?!

I cannot see any clear sign of a propeller and nothing apparent on the wheels, but photo 2 shows quite a bit of splash coming from the port main wheel, and photo three appears to show a paddle blade or vane (at 11 0'clock) so perhaps these were bolted on for aquatic antics. It makes sense for a small vehicle to use a single power train for land and water, no extra components, weight or complication. However, it sits low in the water, with the water line at wheel centre, too high for efficiency; a paddle should be only 1/4 of its diameter into the water.
Title: Re: The French Way
Post by: AndrewG on February 03, 2013, 05:09:28 pm
http://amunt.tumblr.com/post/37325409475/bassman5911-voiture-amphibie-licorne-in

It looks like paddles were added to the side of the main wheels to drive it along.  The Licorne is a mark two model.
Title: Re: The French Way
Post by: richard on February 03, 2013, 05:54:24 pm
is there any reason that all this rubbish is not off topic - it cant get much further off
Title: Re: The French Way
Post by: Barry on February 03, 2013, 07:25:36 pm
The original picture looked like a small & unusual car - unidentified.
Things have progressed.

Moderator could change the thread to off topic.

Title: Re: The French Way
Post by: Chris Thomas on February 03, 2013, 07:34:11 pm
If it is annoying Richard we could just leve it here a little longer.

Chris Thomas
Title: Re: The French Way
Post by: richard on February 03, 2013, 07:53:18 pm
yes barry but there was never ANY clue that it was a microcar . if you think anything odd should be on the forum at all just post it off topic . at any one time we have guests peering in and the 39 guests at this moment barry will only draw the conclusion that we are not sure what one is .  :-\
Title: Re: The French Way
Post by: g-o-g-g-o on February 03, 2013, 10:14:12 pm
Hi
   That car ( or boat ) was exhibited at the Retromobile Paris show last year - I think I have a picture of it on one of my discs. I am going to the 2013 Retromobile show by Train on Wed next, and of course I will take some photos there.
                                                                                                                     Mike