1919 Leyat Helica

History

Marcel Leyat established the French automobile Company, Leyat, in Paris in 1919. He had worked as an engineer with the air force during the First World War and had become fascinated with aviation. The first model produced by Leyat was dubbed the Helica, also known as 'The plane without wings.' There was minimal seating, with the passengers sitting behind each other as in an aircraft. Steering was handled by using the rear wheels. In the front was a giant propeller powered by an 8-horsepower Scorpion engine that provided movement for the vehicle. The car was made primarily from plywood.

Production of the Helica lasted between 1919 and 1925, during which time between 25 - 30 examples were sold. It is reported that the car's front two wheels were not too stable (a single wheel in the rear) and accidents were not too uncommon. These issues were solved with a four-wheel version.

By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2010