The art deco movement led to the creation of some jaw-dropping automobiles, such as this Voisin C-27 Aerosport, which came to life in 1935.
Made by Gabriel Voisin, who is regarded as one of the pioneers of powered flight of the early 1900s, the car is one of around 11,000 built. It features an aluminum construction, a truly revolutionary technique for that time period, and since the lightweight material was in short supply during WW2, most of them were scrapped. As a result, only around 150 units are believed to have survived.
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The C-27 Aerosport has a long hood, rounded fenders, arched roofline and simple-styled wheels. The cockpit can welcome more natural light at the flick of a switch thanks to a complex roof mechanism said to use a “separate engine”, and once down, it sits neatly in the passenger compartment. The cabin has a striking design with a multi-color upholstery in a geometric pattern that complements the black dashboard and steering wheel, and chrome accents.
The 3.0-liter engine resting under that long hood produces 104 brake horsepower. It uses moving sleeves around the pistons instead of traditional valves, which creates a quieter and smoother drive. Nevertheless, this design never caught on, as it burned more oil and created a haze of exhaust smoke. The mill was mated to a four-speed electromagnetic transmission with a lever that allowed drivers to change gears without using the clutch.
This rolling piece of art will be displayed for the first time in the United Kingdom at the 2021 Concours of Elegance, which takes place at the Hampton Court Palace from September 3 to 5. In total, the event will gather around 1,000 vehicles, including classics, modern rarities and a collection of coachbuilt Rolls-Royces.
Half-day tickets are available to purchase at £30 ($42), and a three-course hospitality package costs £288 ($403).
