Bedelia: not only could the vehicle drive, it could also attract customers!

Most of you have heard about Montlhery, not because of the castle with the beautiful tower but because of its famous circuit. In the 20s well raced and nowadays also in use for racing and in our world most known for the fantastic event Vintage Revival Montlhery. It is just that weekend that you see the most fantastic cars. Not only the well known makes like Bugatti, Morgan or Alfa Romeo but also ‘things’ like Bedelia.

Bedelia is something rather special. If you have ever had the chance to meet the drivers, you will know right away that they are car-nuts. Or what to think about their passengers, they must be completely mad, but, rather strange, also always smiling!

 

If you haven’t had the chance yet, you definitely must go to the Salon Rétromobile in Paris, France beginning of February. There will be the world’s largest gathering of Bedelias ever seen. 14 of the 18 existing vehicles will be on show. From the ambulance model to the competition model, it will be an opportunity to view examples of this exceptional make designed by Robert Bourbeau and Henri Devaux.

 

In 1907, Robert Bourdeau and Henri Devaux decided to build their own car after been in an accident with their motorcycle, with whatever they had to hand. The two students, still students and 18 years old, got to work and quickly came up with a somewhat original vehicle: a sort of cross between a wingless aeroplane and a motorcycle. Their ingenious DIY project was powered by the old engine of their crippled motorcycle. The narrow fuselage could carry two passengers in tandem, with the passenger seated at the front, while the pilot sat in the rear. The rest of the vehicle was made up of numerous miscellaneous components that they had recovered from here and there.

Basic and extremely simple, not only could the vehicle drive… oddly enough, it could also attract… customers!

 

A surprising outcome for this vehicle that had not been designed with any commercial purpose in mind, but which gradually found itself becoming extremely popular! Henri Devaux agreed to finance the mass-production of this car and about 3000 were produced.

The name “Bédélia”, a name made up of the young engineers' initials.

 

For more information, click here.

 

Dates: Wednesday February 6th to Sunday February 10th, 2019

Location: Parc des expositions de la Porte de Versailles (1 place de la Porte de Versailles 75015 Paris)

All information about the event, click here