Specifications:

Manufacturer: Davis Motorcar Co.

Country of Origin: U.S.A.

Drivetrain Configuration: Front engine, rear wheel drive

Engine: Henry J, 4 cylinder

Transmission: Syncromesh 3-speed Borg-Warner overdrive

Top Speed: 116 miles per hour (claimed)

Years of Production: 1947-49

Number Produced: 16

Original Cost: Scheduled to sell for $1,400

 

Long beaked and three wheeled? This is the 1948 Davis Divan car an not an Acura CL with an Acura Cl coil springs made funny. However, it may look weird for us now but during its time, this car was supposed to be an advanced, air-craft inspired and very modern car derived from a race car.

This one of a kind car was born in Nuys, California from Davis Motor Company. Gary Davis started the company in 1946, during the world war two when everyone in Europe and Japan is almost uncertain of the future, giving way for America to set step forward.

One of Frank Kurtis’ roadster built for millionaire Joel Thome caught the attention of the budding automaker. In those times, the designs of Kurtis dominated the race tracks of the Indy 500 series until the 1950s. Fascinated with the three-wheeler roadster named "Californian", he managed to get one.

The idea of prototypes was also known to Davis that before he came up with this Divan, Davis and his young engineers first worked with three of the Divan prototypes. The first prototype was named "Baby". Still three-wheeled and powered by a 47 hp Hercules 4-cylinder engine, with Borg-Warner 3-speed transmission and Spicer rear end, and with four- across seating, it was the basis for claims of production beginning in 1948 with a minimum of 50 cars a day, ramping up to 1000 soon after.

Magazines, newspapers, investors and prospective dealers were all anxious for the new Davis "Divan" Sedan. The sedan makes room for four people seated side-by-side on the single bench seat. The baby was followed by Delta and the 428, though set for production, the Davis failed to sell it to the market after his engineers filed for wage demands and the company went to bankruptcy. The cars created were not sold but were given to the company’s creditors.