RUMCars Forum

General Category => Unusual Microcar Discussion => Topic started by: Bob Purton on November 19, 2014, 03:25:15 pm

Title: Valmobile fold away scooter
Post by: Bob Purton on November 19, 2014, 03:25:15 pm
So here is a little conundrum.
What the connection between these fold away scooters and a famous microcar?

Title: Re: Valmobile fold away scooter
Post by: marcus on November 19, 2014, 03:36:25 pm
Interesting, but I do not know the answer, though I might guess at Eschelman or Crossley. It says it has 1,000 uses, but so far I have only listed 997!
Title: Re: Valmobile fold away scooter
Post by: DaveMiller on November 19, 2014, 03:45:31 pm
I love the suggestion, in the advert, that the seller told the artists to put the "address and telephone number" at the bottom of the ad.
So they did!
Title: Re: Valmobile fold away scooter
Post by: Jim Janecek on November 19, 2014, 04:13:34 pm
I love the suggestion, in the advert, that the seller told the artists to put the "address and telephone number" at the bottom of the ad.
So they did!
That is placeholder text for anyone who became a local dealer.
They would then print out their Name and Address and paste it over that area, then have the ad printed.
It was for naught in this case though as OCCO, the New Jersey importer that purchased the world-wide rights to sell the Valmobile from GOSHO never did find anyone else to become a "dealer" as GOSHO went bankrupt right after they signed the deal with OCCO and shipped them whatever they had with no possibility of any future product.
Title: Re: Valmobile fold away scooter
Post by: Bob Purton on November 19, 2014, 04:15:28 pm
The fact that the ad is American is a red herring. Keep trying! Mon ami!
Title: Re: Valmobile fold away scooter
Post by: Bob Purton on November 19, 2014, 04:24:03 pm
Fancy an outfit?
What shall we have to pull it? Ariel square four? Panther sloper? No lets have a Valmobile! ;D
Title: Re: Valmobile fold away scooter
Post by: richard on November 19, 2014, 06:38:36 pm
no idea really but did it use the Clinton engine ? if so it COULD have a Trojan link ? i should know , and dont , as I am a Heinkel/Trojan Trust trustee but lets see eh ? if not how about a clue Bob
Title: Re: Valmobile fold away scooter
Post by: Bob Purton on November 19, 2014, 06:52:21 pm
I gave you a clue when I used my best schoolboy French.

Jim clearly knows but is giving you others a chance.
Title: Re: Valmobile fold away scooter
Post by: marcus on November 19, 2014, 08:28:15 pm
Mon ami? ....  Citroen?
Title: Re: Valmobile fold away scooter
Post by: Big Al on November 20, 2014, 09:07:01 am
Yep, got it. Attractive machine.
Title: Re: Valmobile fold away scooter
Post by: Bob Purton on November 20, 2014, 09:39:28 am
So Jim and Al have it.
Here is another clue then.

If that pear can get it who are a drop in the ocean compared with the rest of you surely someone will be the victor.

Now thats giving it away!
Title: Re: Valmobile fold away scooter
Post by: richard on November 20, 2014, 10:37:53 am
Pear drops and victory v's - in French ? Is it a Bon-bon ? ?????
Title: Re: Valmobile fold away scooter
Post by: Bob Purton on November 20, 2014, 12:10:30 pm
I take it you are all bored with this. so here it is.
 
Victor Bouffort designed this suitcase scooter after he designed the Bouffort Peardrop. 
Title: Re: Valmobile fold away scooter
Post by: marcus on November 20, 2014, 12:28:42 pm
Ah, makes sense!
Title: Re: Valmobile fold away scooter
Post by: piatti on November 20, 2014, 08:38:39 pm
here is my valmobile with valcart sidecar
Title: Re: Valmobile fold away scooter
Post by: richard on November 20, 2014, 08:41:13 pm
great to see it surviving  :)
Title: Re: Valmobile fold away scooter
Post by: marcus on November 20, 2014, 08:43:53 pm
^  Fantastic! How sturdy and reliable is it?
Title: Re: Valmobile fold away scooter
Post by: Big Al on November 21, 2014, 07:55:25 am
Super thing to own. Great design concepts again, literally thinking outside the box. To far out of the box and the risk of a failure in design or sales is increased. Be thankful that some of our favourites made it somehow, so there are more than a few to go round. These odd little branches out are worth an NEC full of clone cars to me, and I expect many others on this site. 
Title: Re: Valmobile fold away scooter
Post by: Bob Purton on November 21, 2014, 08:58:01 am
It wasnt until Piatti posted this photo that I realized the sidecar was canvas. What a great toy to have in your collection.

Now I dont suppose a Peardrop survives anywhere?

This film was posted last year but always worth another look!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNSYd34KxCo
Title: Re: Valmobile fold away scooter
Post by: Jim Janecek on November 21, 2014, 03:58:26 pm
Jim clearly knows but is giving you others a chance.

Despite owning a Valmobile with both the canvas sidecar and the square steel one, I really had no idea of the connection to the designer!