SOMETHING DIFFERENT IN A 2 SEATER

philiam · 08-15-2008, 06:17 PM

1932 Helicron

In the late 1930s this one-of-a-kind Helicron was placed in a barn and
forgotten. More than six decades later this odd lost little gem was
rediscovered, rebuilt, and reintroduced to the world.

Although the manufacturer is unknown, it’s believed that this car was
built in France 1932. Following the first World War it was not uncommon
for recently displaced airplane engineers to look towards the burgeoning
automobile industry for more lucrative employment. As in this example, a
few entrepreneurs developed propeller-powered cars with the notion that
propeller power was an efficient means of moving a vehicle.

On this car, when the wooden propeller is spinning at full speed and
efficiently, this little 1,000-pound boattailed skiff can hit freeway
speeds exceeding 75 miles per hour. As you might expect, this is the one and only
Helicron in existence. Along with a bunch of other odd cars, the Helicron
is owned by Lane Motor Museum in Nashville, TN

makopolo · 08-15-2008, 07:05 PM

Cool design, it wound sound so cool on the highway, people would thing there is a plane coming by. Too bad you cant powerslide.

I dont know if i want to be one of those pedestrians!!!!!

Java Junky · 08-15-2008, 07:22 PM

As alwayz Phil, you never cease to amaze.
That thread'z about'z one-off'z your Helicron.
Thank you.

Scooter · 08-15-2008, 11:05 PM

Is that Java in his Snoopy hat driving?

DJJSR · 08-16-2008, 04:49 AM

Never seen that one. Kinda strange but I do like the built in wind tunnel idea.

phins2rt · 08-16-2008, 09:46 AM

I take it this wasn't too prop-ular in its day!

batguano · 08-16-2008, 09:52 AM

Cool stuff Phil

If I am allowed to second guess, a rear mounted engine and pusher prop would have been far more efficient.

Java Junky · 08-16-2008, 10:36 AM

Only'z a sidebar Phil, but one'a the sweetest ol' ridez I've ever seen is a unit owned by (of course) Jay Leno.
I'm'a bit rough on the specificz (only seen it once't) but it's a one-off, bare-metal, long-nosed roadster built aroun' a WW I aircraft powerplant.
Unbelievable preddy.
(This ain't a challange Don, budd'itt'd be surely appreciated if you could use yer magical abilitiez to harken forth'n bring us home some flickz'a that particular work.)
I now return you to our regularly scheduled program: admirin' Phil'z latest contribution.

dezignpro04 · 08-16-2008, 11:10 AM

Why do I feel someone is going to get suck into the blade and get chopped into pieces.. LOL

Java Junky · 08-16-2008, 01:41 PM

Prolly 'cause, in it's operational lifetime, this odd li'l unit'z had it'z share'a bystanderz havin'a learn'da write with their other hand.

Phil, it occurz to me that I have seen this unit before.
'Considerable amount'a yearz back mine'ja, but it wuz in frunna the Five'n Dime'n required a quarter'z deposit.
'Also seem'ta recall'em in'n in-line formation goin' round'n round on the end'a cablez when the circus'd come'ta town.

Mojo122384 · 08-16-2008, 03:12 PM

that thing is cool...mainly because it is dangerous

philiam · 08-16-2008, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Java Junky

Only'z a sidebar Phil, but one'a the sweetest ol' ridez I've ever seen is a unit owned by (of course) Jay Leno.
I'm'a bit rough on the specificz (only seen it once't) but it's a one-off, bare-metal, long-nosed roadster built aroun' a WW I aircraft powerplant.
Unbelievable preddy.
(This ain't a challange Don, budd'itt'd be surely appreciated if you could use yer magical abilitiez to harken forth'n bring us home some flickz'a that particular work.)
I now return you to our regularly scheduled program: admirin' Phil'z latest contribution.

Do you mean the tank car?
http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/...tml?vid=188026

philiam · 08-16-2008, 03:39 PM

Here's another one.

http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/...tml?vid=255306

My brother was in the garage and took some pictures.

DJJSR · 08-16-2008, 04:12 PM

Leno's car is the Blastolene Special. One of two Blastolene cars. Here's the other, built from a fire truck, named Bertha..........

(It's a normal size guy)

JDMzimbo · 08-16-2008, 06:06 PM

I wanna drive that thing! lol

gomarlins3 · 08-16-2008, 08:07 PM

Well that certainly is different.

Java Junky · 08-16-2008, 09:24 PM

We-l-l-l-l-l . . . I guess.
'S'funny. 'Muss'a gotten't mixed up with some other real old long-nosed roadsters. I wuz rememberin' wire wheelz, motorcycle fenderz'n definitely less Flash Gordon.
'Still neat though.
'Never thought to check out his site Phil, thanks.
A real added plus is the aircraft videoz too.

philiam · 08-16-2008, 10:05 PM

Maybe you were thinking of this Bently.

http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/...tml?vid=252234

Did you look at the car with the tank engine?

http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/...tml?vid=188026

Java Junky · 08-16-2008, 10:19 PM

Ya know Phil, I may'a been mixin'n matchin'.
That'z certainly more'a what I remember.
Thanks
Now that'z'a 'zaust note!

08-15-2008, 06:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
philiam Senior Member, Literally Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: woodland hills, CA Posts: 1,638	SOMETHING DIFFERENT IN A 2 SEATER 1932 Helicron In the late 1930s this one-of-a-kind Helicron was placed in a barn and forgotten. More than six decades later this odd lost little gem was rediscovered, rebuilt, and reintroduced to the world. Although the manufacturer is unknown, it’s believed that this car was built in France 1932. Following the first World War it was not uncommon for recently displaced airplane engineers to look towards the burgeoning automobile industry for more lucrative employment. As in this example, a few entrepreneurs developed propeller-powered cars with the notion that propeller power was an efficient means of moving a vehicle. On this car, when the wooden propeller is spinning at full speed and efficiently, this little 1,000-pound boattailed skiff can hit freeway speeds exceeding 75 miles per hour. As you might expect, this is the one and only Helicron in existence. Along with a bunch of other odd cars, the Helicron is owned by Lane Motor Museum in Nashville, TN __________________

08-15-2008, 07:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
Java Junky Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Joisey Posts: 5,432	As alwayz Phil, you never cease to amaze. That thread'z about'z one-off'z your Helicron. Thank you. __________________ In life-long pursuit of that most mythic of beasts: the ever-elusive perfect corner. Well . . . that, r' at least a whole lodda clear spin-out room.

08-16-2008, 04:49 AM	#5 (permalink)
DJJSR Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Hooterville Posts: 1,751	Never seen that one. Kinda strange but I do like the built in wind tunnel idea. __________________ Don

08-16-2008, 09:46 AM	#6 (permalink)
phins2rt Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 229	I take it this wasn't too prop-ular in its day! __________________ *02 S2000 Berlina Black/Black* 08 Acura MDX 03 Acura MDX Last edited by phins2rt : 08-16-2008 at 10:03 AM.

08-16-2008, 09:52 AM	#7 (permalink)
batguano Andiamo Veloce Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Grittsburg NC Posts: 589	Cool stuff Phil If I am allowed to second guess, a rear mounted engine and pusher prop would have been far more efficient. __________________ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MY VID http://s66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...DBR2008Pt1.flv Nikola Tesla,I salute you.

08-15-2008, 07:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
makopolo needs to graduate Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 209	Cool design, it wound sound so cool on the highway, people would thing there is a plane coming by. Too bad you cant powerslide. I dont know if i want to be one of those pedestrians!!!!!

08-15-2008, 11:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
Scooter Senior Newbie Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 1,228	Is that Java in his Snoopy hat driving?

08-16-2008, 10:36 AM	#8 (permalink)
Java Junky Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Joisey Posts: 5,432	Only'z a sidebar Phil, but one'a the sweetest ol' ridez I've ever seen is a unit owned by (of course) Jay Leno. I'm'a bit rough on the specificz (only seen it once't) but it's a one-off, bare-metal, long-nosed roadster built aroun' a WW I aircraft powerplant. Unbelievable preddy. (This ain't a challange Don, budd'itt'd be surely appreciated if you could use yer magical abilitiez to harken forth'n bring us home some flickz'a *that* particular work.) I now return you to our regularly scheduled program: admirin' Phil'z latest contribution. __________________ In life-long pursuit of that most mythic of beasts: the ever-elusive perfect corner. Well . . . that, r' at least a whole lodda clear spin-out room.

08-16-2008, 11:10 AM	#9 (permalink)
dezignpro04 All MOTOR S2K Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sunshine State Posts: 971	Why do I feel someone is going to get suck into the blade and get chopped into pieces.. LOL __________________ Mods: 18" Axis Reverbs w/Black Rays Lugs, Invidia N1 Exhaust, CAI, ACT Stage 2 Clutch, JDM Side Markers, Clear Corners, Slotted/Drilled Rotors, Spoon Pads, Spoon Steel Brake Lines, Spoon Reservoir Socks, Type R Shift Knob, Custom Stitched Hand Made Convertible Top w/ Glass Window, JDM Aero Screen, Body Matching Dash & Shift Molding Panels, Polished Valve Cover and CAI, Engine Steel Braided Wire Kit & S2000 Caliper Vinyls..

08-16-2008, 01:41 PM	#10 (permalink)
Java Junky Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Joisey Posts: 5,432	Prolly 'cause, in it's operational lifetime, this odd li'l unit'z had it'z share'a bystanderz havin'a learn'da write with their other hand. Phil, it occurz to me that I *have* seen this unit before. 'Considerable amount'a yearz back mine'ja, but it wuz in frunna the Five'n Dime'n required a quarter'z deposit. 'Also seem'ta recall'em in'n in-line formation goin' round'n round on the end'a cablez when the circus'd come'ta town. __________________ In life-long pursuit of that most mythic of beasts: the ever-elusive perfect corner. Well . . . that, r' at least a whole lodda clear spin-out room. Last edited by Java Junky : 08-16-2008 at 02:31 PM. Reason: 'Z'long'z I'm here . . .

08-16-2008, 03:12 PM	#11 (permalink)
Mojo122384 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 13	that thing is cool...mainly because it is dangerous

08-16-2008, 03:39 PM	#13 (permalink)
philiam Senior Member, Literally Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: woodland hills, CA Posts: 1,638	Here's another one. http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/...tml?vid=255306 My brother was in the garage and took some pictures. __________________

08-16-2008, 04:12 PM	#14 (permalink)
DJJSR Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Hooterville Posts: 1,751	Leno's car is the Blastolene Special. One of two Blastolene cars. Here's the other, built from a fire truck, named Bertha.......... (It's a normal size guy) __________________ Don

08-16-2008, 06:06 PM	#15 (permalink)
JDMzimbo s2k4life Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Boerne, Texas Posts: 240	I wanna drive that thing! lol

08-16-2008, 08:07 PM	#16 (permalink)
gomarlins3 "Enjoy the drive" Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Kuna Idaho Posts: 2,812	Well that certainly is different. __________________ Yablownowitz Racing brought to you by Anytime Fitness. Happiness is a nice road, great weather, and driving the S with Sue in the seat next to me. "Whatever you do, where ever you go, enjoy the drive." I know for a FACT that the last year of production of the S2000 is 2003!!!!! After that, it will be the S2200 under an assumed name.

08-16-2008, 09:24 PM	#17 (permalink)
Java Junky Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Joisey Posts: 5,432	We-l-l-l-l-l . . . I guess. 'S'funny. 'Muss'a gotten't mixed up with some other real old long-nosed roadsters. I wuz rememberin' wire wheelz, motorcycle fenderz'n definitely less Flash Gordon. 'Still neat though. 'Never thought to check out his site Phil, thanks. A real added plus is the aircraft videoz too. __________________ In life-long pursuit of that most mythic of beasts: the ever-elusive perfect corner. Well . . . that, r' at least a whole lodda clear spin-out room.

08-16-2008, 10:05 PM	#18 (permalink)
philiam Senior Member, Literally Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: woodland hills, CA Posts: 1,638	Maybe you were thinking of this Bently. http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/...tml?vid=252234 Did you look at the car with the tank engine? http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/...tml?vid=188026 __________________

08-16-2008, 10:19 PM	#19 (permalink)
Java Junky Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Joisey Posts: 5,432	Ya know Phil, I may'a been mixin'n matchin'. That'z certainly more'a what I remember. Thanks Now *that'z*'a 'zaust note! __________________ In life-long pursuit of that most mythic of beasts: the ever-elusive perfect corner. Well . . . that, r' at least a whole lodda clear spin-out room.

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