Issue #8 - November 2007 - Editors : F. Metzger - T. Auffret - S. Ittner - R. Winstone
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Vehicle
page
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Valmobile : the motorized suitcase |
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| You would have find on this page an article concerning a curious automobile designed Victor Bouffort, highly skilled aeronautical engineer, but, when you look for some information about this creator you find this "thing". | |
 The Hirano Valmobile |
 The folded up machine filled the suitcase. |
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It
seems to be a scooter, and not one of the most beautiful, but the "Valmobile"
is a little more than that, it is dismantable, transportable and looks
like a common suitcase!
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Conceived
around a tubular cell, which was use as arrangement and as housing for
the engine, the Valmobile quickly amounted by the assembly of a 'pyramid',
the guiding part, which settled in front of this cell (on the last models
the pyramid seems articulated on the cell, only the direction was to assemble),
a cushion on the lid of the suitcase assured a doubtless spartan comfort
the pilot and his possible passenger.
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 His suitcase in the arms our dashingly commercial goes to his appointement. |
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| We can think that one of the aimed markets was the commercial travellers and their numerous movements. We imagine them easily taking the train or the plane and once in destination, unfolding the suitcase, assembling the scooter in two minutes and their well fastened malette of samples going to their meeting place or their office. Doubtless ideal with a good weather but under the rain, or during winter? | |
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Any luggage, Sir ?
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The answer seems a little heavy !
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The Martin Moulet company commercialized in France the
last versions of Valmobile, equipped; to be chosen by 98 cm3 or of one
125 cm3, in this last shape he weighed almost 50 kg and ran to 75 km /
h. In 1954, the French army was interested in this vehicle, small and
light, it was tested in Indochina but the Vespa TAP will be preferred.
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But this small motor scooter known a rather surprising
fate, the Japanese Hirano firm marketed it briefly at the beginning of
the 60s, with sights on the North American market.
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But, althought a "side-car" was at the catalogue...
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 Chic...efficient...unique...and portable ! |
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...it was not a great success, worse the Hirano firm
soon bankrupted, perhaps a Vuitton model would have save them ?
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Thousand Thanks to Mark Greco for his pictures, his
webpage about the Valmobile.
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