Salmson T.A.I. - The double jet fighter
In the article about the Salmson 2300 S , it was only mentioned in a subordinate clause so as not to stray too far from the topic. But it is too bizarre not to dedicate at least a small article to it. We are talking about the Salmson S4-E, which the "Tôlerie Automobile et Industrielle" (T.A.I.) converted into a roadworthy copy of the GM Le Sabre presented in 1951 in 1952, before building coupés on behalf of the factory. Company owner and managing director Henri Esclassan stuck surprisingly closely to Harley Earl's design and only added two headlights in the front fenders. He replaced the panoramic windshield with a two-part windshield made of flat glass.
Occasionally one also reads that the car was based on the Salmson Randonnée. This is not entirely wrong, as the Randonnée is also based on the S4-E and the chassis of the two cars are identical. The only difference is the four-cylinder engine: here 2.3-liter with 70 hp, there 2.2-liter with 71 hp, but always with Cotal transmission. Which Salmson is really under the extravagant bodywork is lost somewhere in the course of history.
Allegedly, two of the Le Sabre clones were created. In fact, there are photos of two distinctly different cars. The first is much more based on the original; it has thin, vertical struts in the oval nostril and a shield-shaped radiator grille underneath that is clearly separated from the bumpers, just like the original. The bumper horns are pointed "Dagmar bumpers" and have a circular cross-section.
The second car has a larger, slightly rearward sloping nostril with radial struts in a turbine look and a low, trapezoidal radiator grille connecting the bumper halves. The horns are now elliptical and have concave, vertical slats at the front. This "Le Sabre" also has a significantly shorter wheelbase, an additional trim strip on the rear side panel and much more pronounced rear fins.
It is questionable whether these are really two different cars, as both convertibles in old photos bear the same French license plate with the number 1585 BE 75, issued in 1952 in the Département Seine. It is quite possible that they are the same car and that Monsieur Esclassan merely reworked his design for the 1953 Paris Salon (where the cover picture was taken).
What became of the car or cars is unfortunately unclear. They were probably ruthlessly scrapped once fashion had passed them by. However, the short Salmson with the tail fins survived until at least 1964. In one scene of the film "La mort d'un tueur" (German title "Verflucht und vergessen"), it stands in a row of parked cars at the side of the road without having anything to do with the plot or being noticed.
