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The Davis Motor Car Company


Gary Davis was a used-car salesman who designed, and attempted to manufacture, a car in 1948. The Davis Motor Car Company of Van Nuys, California, produced about 17 of these streamlined three-wheeled cars. The Davis was considered quite futuristic and was touted for its "jet fighter" qualities. It featured retractable headlights, an aluminum body and an automatic jack at each wheel.

Another of its selling points was the claim that it would execute a sudden full-lock turn at 55 mph. But the speed was exaggerated because when the car was put through such a turn, the drive wheel would lift and spin freely causing the speedometer to indicate a higher speed. Hmmm.

 

 

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The company folded due to a financial scandal and it appears that Gary Davis served a jail term for his financial manipulations.

My nephew Jim and I were fortunate enough to see one of these cars at the Petersen Automotive Museum here in Los Angeles.

In March, 2010, my friend, Bob Raffaele, sent me these pictures from
the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. (Thanks, Bob!)

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For more information about the Davis Motor Car Company
check out these links:

http://www.suarezweb.com/davis/

http://www.daviscar.com