Charming Microcars That Defined the 20th Century

CUTEST ONES - In the years following World War II, microcars burst onto the scene as economical and distinctive transportation solutions. With their compact size, unique designs, and quirky shapes, these tiny cars provided postwar consumers with an accessible means of mobility at a time when personal vehicles were scarce and manufacturing resources limited.

The 1953 Gaitán Auto-Tri, an egg-shaped microcar by a Seville-based manufacturer named Construcciones Gaitán, SL looks different from the company's other prototypes due to applying the reversed wheels-layout and has no front-grill. (Picture from: WeirdWheels)

Beyond their practicality, microcars also sparked curiosity and admiration on the streets, as they represented a new kind of automotive innovation. These microcars, each with its own design, quirks, and backstory, became symbols of ingenuity and adaptability in the postwar era.

7. Davis D-2 Divan

One of the earliest examples, the Davis D-2 Divan, encapsulated the eccentric spirit of microcars. Designed by Glen Gordon "Gary" Davis, a car dealer turned innovator, the D-2 Divan took inspiration from "The Californian," a custom three-wheeled vehicle. Produced between 1947 and 1949 by the Davis Motorcar Company, only 13 Divans were ever built, and remarkably, 12 of these have survived.

The 1948 Davis D2 Divan, an odd three-wheeled and two-door sedan was the brainchild of used-car salesman Glen Gordon "Gary" Davis. (Picture from: Pinterest)

With a bold aircraft-inspired design, the D-2 featured futuristic touches like hidden headlights and built-in jacks, standing out from typical cars of its time. Its initial engine of 47 horsepower was later upgraded to 63 horsepower, yet despite its innovations, it remains a rare relic of the microcar movement.

6. Mochet Type K

In France, Automobiles Mochet launched a microcar called the Mochet Type K, which went into production in 1947. Unlike earlier Mochet models, which had wooden frames, the Type K featured a partially metal body with wooden doors. This small, boxy car was powered by a 125cc two-stroke engine, yielding modest but effective performance.

The 1948 Mochet Type K was built by Automobiles Mochet, a French's Puteaux-based manufacturer starting in 1947 and sold until 1949. (Picture from: PlanetCarz)

The Mochet Type K maintained a simplistic yet memorable design, and an estimated 650 units were produced between 1947 and 1949. Its functional design, combined with its compact structure, made it a fitting choice for postwar France, where consumers needed affordable yet reliable vehicles.

5. Champion CH-2

The Champion CH-2 was a German entry into the microcar trend, produced in 1949 by Hermann Holbein Fahrzeugbau. Only 11 units of this model were built, and it remains a rare find, with just two known examples surviving today. The Champion CH-2 was notably assembled from motorcycle parts, which made it both lightweight and easy to handle.

The 1949 Champion CH-2 was built largely using motorcycle parts, such as tires and Triumphs 5 hp engines. (Picture from: Champion)

It utilized a 5-horsepower engine from Triumph, reflecting its origin as a hybrid between motorcycle and car. Unfortunately, Holbein, a skilled engineer but not a business expert, faced production and quality control issues. He even had to recall the first few CH-2s due to transmission problems, a challenge that ultimately limited the car’s commercial success.

4. Rolux VB60 Baby

Another notable microcar from this era was the Rolux VB60 Baby, a small, charming vehicle produced by France’s Societé Rolux from 1949 to 1951. Measuring a mere 105 inches in length, the VB60 Baby had a compact body that allowed it to zip through narrow European streets with ease. Powered by a 125cc Ydral engine, the car was driven by a cardan shaft connected to the left rear wheel.

The 1950 Rolux VB60 Baby uses a 125 cubic-centimeter Ydral engine which drove the left rear wheel via a cardan shaft. (Picture from: ClassicCars)

This microcar was manufactured in approximately 400 units and featured a playful design with pointed fenders and a leaf spring suspension. The Rolux VB60 Baby exemplified the lightweight, adaptable design that made microcars popular among European city dwellers.

3. Biscúter

Spain, too, embraced the microcar trend with the Biscúter. Designed by the visionary Gabriel Voisin, the Biscúter captured Spain’s imagination during the 1950s as a simple, affordable mode of transport. Its design was intentionally minimalistic—no doors, no windows, and no reverse gear. Its one-cylinder, 197cc engine produced a modest 9 horsepower, sufficient for city driving.

The 1950 Biscúter was designed by Gabriel Voisin and one of the most popular cutie cars in Spain during the 1950s. (Picture from: BiScooter)

Named "Zapatilla" or "little shoe," the Biscúter became an iconic Spanish microcar, a solution for citizens seeking mobility without the complexity or cost of a traditional car. Manufactured by Auto Nacional, SA in Barcelona, the Biscúter left a lasting impression and provided Spain with a practical alternative in an era of economic recovery.

2. Allard Clipper

Across the English Channel, the Allard Clipper emerged as an innovative addition to Britain’s microcar lineup. Produced by Allard Motor Company from 1952 to 1954, the Clipper stood out with its fiberglass body, a novel material at the time, which made it lightweight and durable. Its 346cc Villiers engine powered the rear left wheel, giving it the power needed to navigate British roads.

The 1952 Allard Clipper was an English 3-wheeler which uses a rear-mounted Villiers 24B 346 cc (21.1 cu in) single-cylinder two-stroke motorcycle engine drives the rear left wheel via a Burman gearbox and chain. (Picture from: Clipper)

Designed to be a family-friendly vehicle, the Clipper could seat up to five passengers, with room for three adults and two children. Although production was short-lived, the Allard Clipper’s fiberglass body set a precedent for other manufacturers exploring alternative materials in car production.

1. Gaitán Auto-Tri

The Gaitán Auto-Tri, manufactured in Spain by Construcciones Gaitán SL, had an egg-like shape that caught the public’s attention when it debuted in Seville in November 1953. Unlike most microcars, the Auto-Tri featured three wheels and a unique aluminum body. Though it was never fully commercialized, this microcar garnered interest in Spain, making appearances in films and even attempting a journey to Barcelona in 1955. Its distinct design and innovative approach remain noteworthy in the history of Spanish automotive production.

Microcars of the postwar era reflect a unique period of innovation and adaptation. As economies rebuilt and personal vehicles became more accessible, microcars offered an affordable, distinctive, and practical way for people to get back on the road. Today, these microcars serve as symbols of a time when creativity and resourcefulness led to groundbreaking ideas in automotive design. While their production numbers were often small and their mechanical quirks abundant, microcars remain cherished relics in automotive history. *** [EKA [12082020] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | IO9 GIZMODO | DIVAN | MOCHET | CHAMPION | ROLUX | PLANETCARZ | WIKIPEDIA | CLASSICCARS | GAITAN | WEIRDWHEELS ]

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