As we all know that the period after the end of the 2nd World War is described as a difficult time. Yes, in the first years after the war ended, the world economy was destroyed and stagnant. So, can be explained briefly, at that time people couldn’t afford to buy a car.
1947 Volugrafo 'Bimbo 46,' a small-sized car made by a Turin-based Officine Meccaniche Volugrafo. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2VZO1pg)
This then triggered the birth of many brilliant out of the box ideas, for the sake of the creation of a four-wheeled vehicle that was affordable by the people at that time. And one of them is a four-wheeled vehicle made by an Italian company named Officine Meccaniche Volugrafo.
Donald Duck's character drives speed a red car in a scene of Walt Disney's cartoon series. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2W3QPBx)
Of course, the name of the Turin-based company is very closely related to the birth of the pioneer scooter design for Fiat, another Italian automotive company in 1938. Just for information, the Fiat prototype scooter was present (but never been massed-production) long before the Piaggio and Innocenti scooters made.
Front view of an Italian-made louse-likened cutie car called 1947 Volugrafo 'Bimbo 46'. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2VZO1pg)
Back to the louse-likened cutie car, it was called the Volugrafo "Bimbo 46". Even though it seems to have just jumped off the page of a comic book or cartoon movie, it was not drawn by cartoonists. It was one of the four-wheeled vehicles designed after World War II ended to meet the needs of the many people who yearned for movement but couldn’t afford much.
Interior view of an Italian-made louse-likened cutie car called 1947 Volugrafo 'Bimbo 46'. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2VZO1pg)
Seeing a photo of it, at first, you might think it is a scale model or toy. Or maybe you've ever watched the Walt Disney's Donald Duck cartoon series, wherein some scenes in the film, Donald Duck was seen riding an almost similar-shaped car while traveling around. But in fact, this is a real car and has nothing to do with the cartoon series.
Left side view of an Italian-made louse-likened cutie car called 1947 Volugrafo 'Bimbo 46'. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2VZO1pg)
The cutie car designed by Claudio Belmondo and made by Volugrafo in 1946. The cutie car equipped with a 125cc four-stroke engine has no doors and no reverse (if needed, you get out and maneuver the car). With a weight of around 125 kg, this car is relatively light for the size of a four-wheeled vehicle and can run up to a top speed of 60 kph.
This cutie car has a length of only two meters, equipped with two seats, four pedals (brakes, accelerator, clutch, and kick-starter), stick shift at the driver’s left, one driving wheel, and chain drive. Instead of shock absorbers, it uses simple leaf springs to make bumpy rides feel a bit more comfortable.
And when you drive on it, then an unexpected and fun sight will be shown while rides along a country-side road. You might look like a movie star is on the action in a cartoon movie. 😄 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ITALIAN WAYS] Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone
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