Do you know him? Volugrafo Bimbo
10/27/2018
As a "Duck" mobiil, it would have made a good trap in one of the funny paperbacks. But the Volugrafo Bimbo was a real microcar, created in the post-war years.
It was built by Officine Meccaniche Volugrafo in Turin from spring 1946 and was developed by the engineer Belmondo, who is also said to have been a racing driver.
Four wheels, two seats and a compact roadster body measuring 2.4 meters long and around one meter wide had to suffice. The steering movements were transmitted by a chain, as was the five horsepower of the 125 cc single-cylinder engine next to the rear wheel.
In principle, the Volugrafo Bimbo 46 was a forerunner of the Isetta, Messerschmitt and co, but racing driver Belmondo still had a sporty idea. The faster version is also said to have been equipped with a second 125 cc engine. Depending on the source, around 60 to 100 of these small cars were built up to 1948. Then it was over.
The green example can currently be seen at the Auto e Moto d'Epoca classic car fair in Padua; it is said to be one of three surviving vehicles, the other two are probably on display in European museums.
Incidentally, the small cars did not have a reverse gear, but if necessary you could get out and turn the car, which weighed just over 100 kg, by hand.
The Auto e Moto d'Epoca in Padua is still open until Sunday evening (October 28, 2018) and is certainly worth a visit. We will of course be reporting on it in detail over the next two days.
