1935 Voisin C25 Aerodyne Sedan

The Aerodyne, designed by Gabriel Voisin, debuted at the Paris Auto Salon in October 1934. The C 25 retained many of the mechanical curiosities of its predecessor, the C24, such as the electromagnetic gearbox and retractable roof, operated by a pneumatic suction motor in the trunk. Only 28 Aerodyne cars were produced between 1934 and 1935, eight of which were built with this unique 'four place' body.

The first known owner of this example was Henry Browne de Kilmaine, an officer for the Automobile Club l'Ouest, organizer of the 24 Hours of LeMans, and co-founder of the Le Mans Museum. Browne purchased the Aerodyne for his own collection and attended various prestigious exhibitions, events and museums for many years, finally displaying it at the Le Mans Museum in 2008. Following a color change, the current owner has had the car returned to its original livery, and it remains one of only three examples of the Aerodyne known to survive.

Gabriel Voisin would be a man of many talents. However, one of his strengths and interests would be in aviation. However, following the end of the First World War, Voisin would be forced to turn his attentions to the road. However, the love and interest in aviation would never be far away and would never be more noticeable than with the C25 Aerodyne.

Already the name gives the interest, the inspiration away. The influence of the sky and of the flow of air would be evident with every curve, edge, and contour. But there would be more in common with aviation upon closer inspection of the car. The simplistic, metal instrument panel and, of course, the sliding roof with its porthole-like windows would all be reminiscent of aircraft of the period and the innovation that flight infused into many facets of design.

A total of just eight of the Voisin C25 Aerodyne would ever be built. Chassis 50023 remains just one of four known to still be in existence. Unfortunately, most of its early life remains unknown. What is known is that Henry Browne de Kilmaine would acquire the car in 1963 for his collection.

And who is Henry de Kilmaine? From 1949 to 2004, de Kilmaine would be involved in organizing every single running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He would be an officer of the Automobile Club l'Ouest during memorable Le Mans moments including Jaguar's dominance, Ford's defeat of Ferrari, Porsche's first overall victory, and a host of other very special moments.

Henry would be instrumental in the foundation of the Le Mans Museum. It would be rather fitting that while in the business of acquiring cars for the museum, he would begin his own interest in collecting automobiles.

The Comite d'Organisation des Salons Internationaux de l'Automobile would ask de Kilmaine to display his Aerodyne at the Les Belles Voitures d'Autrefois, a major exhibition that would be held on October 17th of 1963. In 1972, de Kilmaine would enter the Voisin in the Coupes de L'Age d'Or held on the Bugatti circuit at Le Mans. The events would keep coming and, in 1984, the Aerodyne would take part in an exhibition celebrating 100 Years of Motoring. The event would be held at the Grand Palais, the very same location where Avions Voisin had unveiled the C25 Aerodyne some 50 years earlier.

The C25 would be on display in a number of museums right through the start of the new millennium. Following de Kilmaine's death in 2008 his vast collection of automobiles would be split up and sold. An English collector would become the car's owner. It would be determined then the car was in need of restoration. Blakeney Motorsports Ltd., based in England, would be entrusted with the enterprise.

The entire process would be thoroughly documented, including notes and photographs. The sliding roof would be thoroughly restored, the sleeve-valve engine entirely rebuilt. The car would then be completed with a two-tone livery of dark blue over London Grey. Certainly a masterpiece of Art Deco design, the restored Aerodyne would be seen on display at Windsor Castle Concours d'Elegance in 2012.

Never seen on display in the United States, and rarely outside of France or England, the C25 would be made available for purchase at the 2013 Gooding & Company Pebble Beach auction where estimates placed its final price between $2,000,000 and $3,000,000. When the bidding came to an end, the sale price would come up just short of the estimates. The final price for the car would be $1,925,000.

Sources:
'Lot No. 47: 1935 Avions Voisin C25 Aerodyne', (http://www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1935-avions-voisin-c25-aerodyne/). Gooding & Company. http://www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1935-avions-voisin-c25-aerodyne/. Retrieved 28 August 2013.

'1934 Voisin C25 News, Pictures and Information', (http://www.conceptcarz.com/z20208/Voisin-C25.aspx). Conceptcarz.com: From Concept to Production. http://www.conceptcarz.com/z20208/Voisin-C25.aspx. Retrieved 28 August 2013.

By Jeremy McMullen