The radial engine monoposto that leaned into the bends
12/10/2020
In 1932, French inventor François Guidobaldi began working on a two-stroke radial engine. It was to have eight cylinders, a displacement of 1.5 liters and dual ignition, combined with two compressors. The result: 180 hp at 6500 rpm.
Seven years later, he sat down at his drawing table to develop a revolutionary monoposto that leaned into corners to achieve higher lateral acceleration. While parts of the chassis and the wheels came from a Bugatti, Guidobaldi designed a suspension with combined springs/shock absorbers similar to the designs used in Formula 1 today.
However, it was some time before the chassis was turned into a complete car. In 1956, the showed the design without bodywork, after which an aluminum body, whose shape was reminiscent of the mid-engine Auto Union racing cars, was formed and fitted.
Around 1960, an extensive article about the car appeared in the magazine "Sportscar Graphic", but in principle its time had long since passed. Mercedes-Benz is said to have shown interest in buying the car and building it with a Mercedes engine, but Guidobaldi, who had repeatedly test-driven the car in the south of France, turned it down.
The inventor died in 1971 and the car was almost forgotten until a French collector was able to buy it in 1980. After several detours, the Monoposto ended up in the hands of David Humbert, who had it completely restored. Since then, it has been shown and described several times.
Now the unusual racing car, which was never able to show what it was really made of, can be purchased at Hemmings for USD 390,000.
And there is even a video where you can hear what this unusual radial engine sounds like!
