Do you know the Galy?
05/15/2021
Microcars were very popular in the mid-fifties. New companies and models were constantly being created, including the French Galy. The Galy Vibel was presented to the general public for the first time at the Paris Motor Show in 1954. When the small coupé first appeared in October 1954, Automobil Revue wrote:
"New subcompact cars from previously unknown brands are still appearing in Paris, even though none of them have been able to establish themselves. This year, the new brand bears the name Galy. The main data of the products of a courageous designer are as follows: three models, Vistand two-stroke with 175 cm3, price approx. 250,000 francs, Vibel four-stroke with 250 cm3, approx. 300,000 francs, Visport similar to Vibel, two-seater coupé, single-cylinder rear engine, three-speed gearbox, "progressive" suspension and - but only on the saloon cars - drive of only one rear wheel."
In spring 1955, a Galy was even exhibited at the Geneva Motor Show. The key data of the more powerful version with a four-stroke engine appeared innovative, as the car had a tubular frame axle base and independent wheel suspension all round. The two- to three-seater coupé with sheet steel body was 295 cm long and 150 cm wide and weighed 280 kg. With 15 hp, it was supposed to reach 83 km/h and consume only 4 liters per 100 km.
That all sounded good, but it was not a success. It is said that around 100 Galy cars were built by 1957, but only a handful of them are likely to have survived. The brand disappeared again.
