SOLVED: WTH # 106 - 1911 Gregoire Torpille by Henri Coanda built by Alin & Liautard

sixtee5cuda · October 03, 2012, 10:21:29 AM

For one point, tell us who designed this car, and which coachbuilders were involved.

sixtee5cuda · October 10, 2012, 09:49:51 AM

Time for the experts to give it a try.

Up!

bentleybob · October 10, 2012, 04:00:32 PM

Gregoire Alin & Liautard ca. 1913?

sixtee5cuda · October 10, 2012, 04:02:35 PM

I have it as a 1911, but it is a Gregoire built by Alin & Liautard.

LOCKED for BentleyBob. Can you name the designer?

bentleybob · October 10, 2012, 04:17:57 PM

This is the story that a 'chance' meeting between Lucien Faure, a director of the Gregoire firm with the very famous
Louis Bleriot inspired this design through the use of what was called a wind tunnel - a technique still in use today - to investigate "the phenomenon of cavitation behind cars with perpendicular rear ends", and in 1911 he applied this to the design of car bodies, and Bleriot allowed his name to be added to the design of the streamlined "Torpille" (torpedo) saloon body. The marketing advantages for both are obvious..

sixtee5cuda · October 10, 2012, 04:28:01 PM

Strange, I hadn't heard that story before. A sculptor praised by Rodin is also involved...

bentleybob · October 10, 2012, 06:02:38 PM

Romanian-born Henri Coanda?

sixtee5cuda · October 10, 2012, 06:27:26 PM

That's the guy.

Another point for BentleyBob

grobmotorix · June 05, 2013, 05:48:06 PM

another 1911 photo:

News:

SOLVED: WTH # 106 - 1911 Gregoire Torpille by Henri Coanda built by Alin & Liautard