Forgotten History: The Davis Divan

[seamusTX]

Shortly after WW II ended, one Gary Davis produced an automobile called the Divan, as in sofa. It sat four people in the front seat, had three wheels (one front wheel) and an aluminum body, and sold for a bit less than $1000.



Unfortunately, Mr. Davis had financial and legal troubles. Few cars were sold, and he ended up in prison for fraud.

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a ... /1528/FREE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Speaking as an engineer, I think the single-front-wheel design is manifestly unsafe and deserves to be a dead end of history.

- Jim

[NAVY CHIEF]

Speaking as an engineer...

What to you think of the Tucker Automobile?

Hooyah!

[quidni]

Speaking as an engineer, I think the single-front-wheel design is manifestly unsafe and deserves to be a dead end of history.

Oh, I dunno 'bout that.... I think 3 wheels is a fantastic idea!


(No, it's not mine )

[NAVY CHIEF]

quidni,
Bootiful bi; er, trike!

Hooyah!

[Rex B]

There is a Chasing Classics episode where a Davis turns up.

[seamusTX]

What to you think of the Tucker Automobile?

I have to say I have never seen one in person. There are only about 50 in existence.

The Tucker had a lot of features that were innovative at the time and eventually made their way into mainstream production. Air-cooled engines were worth a shot, though they did not work out in the long run. I don't care for the body design, but everything from that era looks bloated and overdone to me.

It's a shame that Tucker did not survive at least to give the "big three" some competition.

- Jim

[Keith B]

Shortly after WW II ended, one Gary Davis produced an automobile called the Divan, as in sofa. It sat four people in the front seat, had three wheels (one front wheel) and an aluminum body, and sold for a bit less than $1000.



Unfortunately, Mr. Davis had financial and legal troubles. Few cars were sold, and he ended up in prison for fraud.

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a ... /1528/FREE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Speaking as an engineer, I think the single-front-wheel design is manifestly unsafe and deserves to be a dead end of history.

- Jim

There is a show on Discovery called Chasing Classic Cars. Saw it the other day and the host Wayne Carini bought one of these (number 9 of 13.) On the episode he put it out for sale at a show, but then after it didn't sell he decided to keep it. The license plate on the car when he bought it was a personalized plate; 1948 UFO