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

[sixtee5cuda]

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

[sixtee5cuda]

Time for the experts to give it a try.

Up!

[bentleybob]

Gregoire Alin & Liautard ca. 1913?

[sixtee5cuda]

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

LOCKED for BentleyBob.  Can you name the designer?

[bentleybob]

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]

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

[bentleybob]

Romanian-born Henri Coanda?

[sixtee5cuda]

That's the guy.

Another point for BentleyBob

[grobmotorix]

another 1911 photo: