The German, Egon Brutsch, was a keen promoter of the concept of two egg-shaped fiberglass shells, joined at the waist by a rubber strip. He was more successful at licensing his concept to various European firms than he was at building them himself.
One of the licensees thus persuaded, was M. Avot of the Societe Air Tourist, who also held France's license for Cessna Aircraft. As with many licensees he was not happy with the frame design, and so designed his own tubular backbone with body frame: thus changing the name from La Brutsch-Avolette as seen at the 1955 Paris Salon to L'Avolette.
The car was produced in several versions: the 125 YD Normale, the 175 YD and the 175 YC Tourisme (all with Ydral power and three wheels), the 200 SD and SC Tourisme de Luxe (with Fichtel & Sachs power and three wheels), the 250 MB Competition de Luxe, and the 250 MC and MD Record de Luxe (with Maico power and four wheels), of which this car is an example. Model numbers indicate displacement, motor, and C for coupe and D for decapotable (convertible).
The unusual steering is by flex cable and front suspension is by Neidhart rubber-in-torsion. Numerous accessories were available.
The collection fortunately holds two of these rare exotic vehicles of which only a handful exist.
Manufacturer: Societe Air Tourist, Paris France
Model: 250 MD Record (de Luxe) |
Motor: Maico 2-stroke |
Body: Fiberglass |
Years Built: Fall 1956 - Summer 1957 |
No. Cylinders: 1 |
Chassis: Steel Tube |
No. Produced: ~30 |
Displacement: 250 cc |
Suspension Front: Neidhart Rubber |
No. Surviving: ~6 |
Horsepower: 14 |
Suspension Rear: Neimann Rubber |
Length: 2400 mm |
Gearbox: 4 fwd + 4 rev |
Steering:Flex tube |
Width: 1350 mm |
Starter: Dynastart |
Brakes: Hydraulic |
Weight: 450 lb |
Electrics: 12 v |
4 Wheels: 4.00 x 8" |
Interior: Bench |
Ignition: Coil |
Top Speed: 110 kph |