Why Was the Three-Wheeled Davis Sofa Failed?

One of these interesting designs is the one that was marketed as the best car of the future. 3-wheel Davis Sofa…

Sedan This car, a model, was an innovative idea of ​​1948. Why couldn’t the car, which had many different features developed, was quite spacious and comfortable, and was produced in limited numbers, show itself on the roads?

II. After World War II, the automotive industry was seen as a source of opportunity.

Even though these were unusual designs, they actually brought a new opportunity. One of these interesting ideas came from Glen Gordon and Gary Davis. Legendary design by Indycar designer Frank Kurtis The Californian’dan Inspired, Davis introduced the three-wheeled sedan car.

Moreover, the price of the car was offered to the market at a price of around 1000 dollars. This car has a fuel-saving aluminum body and a large ‘sofa’ that can comfortably seat four people side by side. Joel Thorne It was built by.

The inspiration for the front wheel was the Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter jet.

Davis Motorcar CompanyBefore producing 11 cars between 1947 and 1949, it produced a total of 16 cars, including 2 prototypes and 3 military vehicles. The three-wheeled model Davis Divan had a length of 466 cm and a wheelbase of 278 cm. Which was quite long for a three-wheeled vehicle.

The height of the car, which weighed 1,110 kg, was 152 cm. What was interesting about its interior design was that it had a single seat. Four people could easily fit into this 183 cm wide seat. “Sedar” is used in Arabic to describe a wide seat.divan” was the inspiration for the name of the vehicle.

Will these features end?

In addition to all these, the vehicle also had a removable fiberglass roof. The steel channel chassis was constructed with 11 body panels composed of aluminum and zinc. 2,600 cc inline four-cylinder capable of producing 63 horsepower Equipped with Continental engine It had a structure.

What we know about its speed is that it varies between 160 km/h and 187 km/h. This car, which was introduced to many people, was now considered one of the car designs of the future. Then in Los Angeles At Van Nuys Airport A factory for mass production was established in the hangar.

Turning a prototype into a car ready for mass production was a challenge.

Investors were disappointed by the delay in the delivery date, even if they invested their money in the dealerships. As production slows down, financial situation worsens Gary Davis received lawsuit after lawsuit from both investors and workers.

Unable to pay his debts and salaries, he was sentenced to hard labor for fraud. Interestingly, out of the 13 Divans produced 12 of them have survived to this day.. One of them was destroyed in England due to customs regulations.

These vehicles are today in museums, in private collections It is located. Some of them have not even been restored, they look like the first day. This is how an era ends before it even begins…

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