1948 Davis Divan featured four-across seating and three wheels. Its CEO/promoter landed in jail for fraud.
Gary Davis was a car salesman in Southern California's hot post war market when he saw the future in the form of a three-wheeled runabout. Originally built for a millionaire playboy by brilliant race car engineer Frank Kurtis, the futuristic coupe dazzled Davis who barnstormed the country to raise interest in a mass produced version. Davis' enthusiasm proved infectious as he signed up three hundred dealer franchises and raised over a million dollars.
Powered by a dinky off-the-shelf four cylinder, 47 horsepower motor, the Davis' single front wheel allowed it to turn completely around within its own length. Ads boasted that it could perform U-turns at 40 m.p.h. A removable metal hardtop provided Davis passengers with the security and weather protection of a hardtop with the fun of a convertible.
Davis leased an aircraft assembly building in Van Nuys, California where he set up a production line to build his dream car, now named "Divan," due to its extra wide body that permitted four-across seating. Davis ads showed four perky stewardi happily squeezed into the single seat coupe. Motor Trend magazine featured a cover photo of Davis cars rolling off the production line. Everything looked rosy.
Caught short of funding, Davis made a deal with his workers, if they'd work for free, he'd pay them double once the company got rolling. This move, along with other financial shenanigans led to his conviction for twenty counts of fraud and two years in a minimum security facility. After serving his time, Davis developed Dodge-Em bumper cars for amusement parks and later tried to adopt their 360 degree bumpers to a safety oriented three-wheeled road car. He retired to Palm Springs and died of emphysema in 1973.
As a quintessential icon of America's over-heated postwar auto scene, the Davis Divan has a secure place in history. The Davis Registry estimates that seventeen cars were built along with three experimental military versions. Twelve Divans and all three military cars have survived. Los Angeles' Petersen Automotive Museum owns one example.
A tip o' the snap brim driving cap to The Davis Registry for info and photos.
For more info check the slideshow and links below.
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Jim, I always enjoy your posts, ESPECIALLY the photography! You do a great job illustrating your stories.
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