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654
The prototype car on the stand at the 1950 show differed somewhat
from the production models. Its sleek body shell, built by Jean Demarne,
featured fully enclosed rear wheel “fender skirts” and elegant helmetstyle
front fenders, as well as a belt line that curved down and back
from the folding chrome-plated windshield and up at the curved tail.
The front seat was of the exposed-tube aircraft type. The car had unique
radially-slotted wheels. There was no evidence of a top at the show, but
the same car was photographed later with a sideways-tilting canopy
incorporating a canvas top.
The production version of the car that emerged in the spring of 1951
looked slightly different, with its high, straight beltline, cutaway rear
fenders, and simpler motorcycle front fenders. The windshield was now
fixed and body-colored, and the car had a pair of narrow running
boards, with aluminum footpads on the right side, for “leg up” access
to the interior. The aircraft-style lifting canopy was hinged on the left
and could be had with either a folding canvas top or a slightly taller
steel hardtop incorporating side windows and a sunroof. The wheels