It may look like an attempt at an Oscar Meyer racer – but this 1948 de Coucy prototype was the result of prolonged wind tunnel testing, a radical new design discipline at the time. This rare, one of a kind racing prototype will be auctioned soon here on invaluable.com, with thanks to reader Ron B.
This project was one of a handful of small engine, one seaters funded by engineer, racing patron, and brilliant mathematician – the Count Enguerrand de Coucy – who lived from 1887 to 1974. De Coucy graduated with Physics and Chemistry degrees in 1912, fought in WWI, and became a sought-after and successful engineer. With a strong industrial clientele, de Coucy soon attracted rich customers with dreams of developing avant-garde racing cars.
In the 1920’s, de Coucy began working within the 1100 cc racing classification – with the goal of getting engines to 9,000 rpm and 100 HP output. Several of his racers very well neared the goal, with his 1926 attempt consistently delivering 8,500 rpm in an elegant aerodynamic single seater with an almost comically narrow chassis with half-moon springs on the outside of the side members.
This body style looks to have started in 1946, as de Coucy applied modern design techniques for lowering drag, with increasing reliability in materials and engine output. You can easily make the assumption that this prototype led to the Count’s most glorious racer – 1953 the Longchamp of Coucy Type 350CM3, shown above. Only expecting to fetch under $10k – this would be an amazing piece of French racing history to have! Bonne chance!
Leave a Reply to Bryan W Cohn Cancel reply