Here are 2 concept cars adopted from André Franquin's famous comic strips

Rare ONES Before we start discussing about the four-wheeled vehicle in question on the article title above, maybe some of you don't know and are wondering who's André Franquin? He is an influential Belgian cartoonist who worked on the famous comic strips of 'Spirou et Fantasio' from 1947 to 1969, which is also considered by many as the series' golden age. Besides that, there are also his other famous comics, namely Gaston and Marsupilami.

The Turbot Rhino (Turbotraction) 1 roadster while on display at the Exposition Le Monde de Franquin 2007 held in Brussels, with the far-background is the Turbotraction 2. (Picture from: Deviantart)

André Franquin (January 3, 1924
– January 5, 1997). (Picture from:
Deviantart)

Well, in the comic strips of 'Spirou et Fantasio,' where André Franquin beautifully illustrated a lot of unique vehicles ranging from a flying scooter, cars, even submarines and others. On this occasion we will only specifically discuss the unique four-wheeled vehicles in the comic strip. At first glance you might think that the vehicle was built by some prestigious European manufacturers in the early 50's and you'd be wrong. It was designed and drawn by himself for the comic purposed in 1953.

The illustrations of the Turbot Rhino (Turbotraction) 1 (up) and the Turbotraction 2 (below) in the famous André Franquin's comic strips of 'Spirou et Fantasio' published from 1947 to 1969. (Picture from: Sbarro)

Why did we mention that André Franquin too illustrates all of this so neat? Because as a writer, he has even gone a step further, by creating Turbot as an imaginary car brand which was then pinned on his first car and then the second one. The imaginary car brand of Automobiles Turbot or Turbot appeared for the first time in the comic strips of 'Spirou et Fantasio' in the album 'Spirou et les heitiers' which was published in 1951 through the yellow-colored Turbot tandem race car model.

1. 2004 Turbot Rhino (Turbotraction) 1

And as the first car designed by him under the name the Turbot Rhino (Turbotraction) 1 which is known as a blue-colored unique roadster figure and it first appeared in those comic strips of 'Spirou et Fantasio,' in the album of 'La corne du rhinocéros' (The rhinoceros horn).

The replica of Turbot Rhino (Turbotraction) 1 which is built based of the André Franquin's comic illustrations and worked by Sbarro in the 2004. (Picture from: Reddit)

In 2004 the roadster mentioned above was brought into the real world by Sbarro, a Swiss automotive design house owned by Franco Sbarro. As quoted of the company page, the unique roadster replica was deliberately built to pay a tribute for André Franquin, besides that it is also intended as the dream embodiments of all the children whose grew up with Spirou.

The Turbot Rhino (Turbotraction) 1 roadster built by Sbarro in the 2004 based of the Citroën Xantia Activa chassis and at the same time used its V6 engine as well. (Picture from: Deviantart)

The Rhino 1 roadster first appeared in public at the Exposition Le Monde de Franquin 2004 event held in Paris. By looking at its unique shape at a glance, the rounded front fascia of the Sbarro-made roadster is very similar to the French first turbine car named the Socema Gregoire. (It is not known whether there's a connection between them both or just a coincidence).

The Turbot Rhino (Turbotraction) 1 roadster first appeared in public at the Exposition Le Monde de Franquin 2004 event held in Paris. (Picture from: Deviantart)

The Turbot Rhino 1 actually a real engined roadster prototype so it can be driven like the cars in general (as evidenced by there are many photographs circulated while the car is driven on the streets). Due to a lack of information, it is not known what kind of engine of it. And reportedly, Sbarro built the car based on the Citroën Xantia Activa chassis and at the same time used its V6 engine as well.

The Turbot Rhino (Turbotraction) 1 roadster played a role and appeared briefly in a short scene in a French film entitled 'Les aventures de Spirou et Fantasio,' in the 2018. (Picture from: IMCDB)

As quoted from IMCDb, in 2018, the Sbarro-made Rhino 1 roadster played a role and appeared briefly in a short scene in a French film entitled 'Les aventures de Spirou et Fantasio,' whose story was adopted from the comic strips of 'Spirou et Fantasio' by André Franquin.

2. 2006 Turbotraction 2

Next we move on to the second car known as the Turbotraction 2. As quoted by CarJager, this car illustration appeared in the Franquin' comics around the 1958 and was very much inspired by the 1954 Ford FX-Atmos concept car. 

The Turbotraction 2 roadster was brought to life in 2006 by the creative touches of the famous Belgian designer named Louis de Fabribeckers who had worked at the Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera. (Picture from: Pinterest)

The second car was brought to life in 2006 by the creative touches of the famous Belgian designer named Louis de Fabribeckers who had worked at the Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera. Reportedly, this Torbotraction 2 roadster was deliberately built by commissioned of an anonimous wealthy car collector who was passionate about Spirou as well.

The Turbotraction 2 was a front-engined roadster built based of the Porsche 924 chassis. (Picture from: Pinterest)

The Turbotraction 2 roadster is built on the Porsche 924 chassis, and said that it uses the engine as well. However, it is not known what engine is installed under the hood, whether is the 125 hp, 2 liter naturally aspirated engine? Or the 2-liter turbo engine with 170 or 177 hp from 931? The second option is never indicated, although it would seem the most closest to the Franquin's idea of a Turbo engine.

After the Turbotraction 2 was finished in production by Touring and then showcased in October 2006 for the Exposition Le Monde de Franquin 2006 event held in Brussels. (Picture from: Pinterest)

After the Turbotraction 2 was finished in production by Touring and then showcased in October 2006 for the Exposition Le Monde de Franquin 2006 event held in Brussels. And it is believed this car is still around today and may still be driven through. So for today what remains a mystery is the engine: turbo or atmo? *** [EKA [21022021] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FRANQUIN | SBARRO | IMCDB | WEBCARSTORY | IPERNITY | DEVIANTART | REDDIT | MEINEKLEINFABRIK | CARJAGER ]

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