A very rare and original example of an elusive French microcar.

SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: Ardex

Origin: Nanterre, France

Production: Very limited

Motor: Fichtel & Sachs 1-cyl., 2-stroke

Displacement: 50 cc

Power: 2.5 hp

Length: 7 ft. 5 in.

Identification No. 2003

The elusive French firm of Ardex, under the leadership of one Marcel Tamine, constructed a variety of very small, light cyclecars in an erratic, artisanal manner over several decades. His occasional small advertisements were first seen in 1934 in the specialized press, but no Ardex vehicle ever appeared at one of the salons. Despite this, word seemed to get around, and hundreds of examples continued to sell until well after the Second World War.

During the thirties, the company produced a delightful cyclecar in the Morgan style with polished aluminum bodywork. The war, however, saw the introduction of restrictions on materials, so an alternate type of construction had to be found. This took the form of a thin, moleskin-covered plywood body powered by an electric motor and/or pedals. Again, it was right for the times. In 1942, a production batch of 80 electric vehicles went to the well-known battery manufacturers Fulmar.

Post-war, limited production continued with both wood and aluminum- bodied vehicles in the same idiom into the late fifties. Showroom demonstrations were available only on Mondays and Saturdays. The museum car sports a unique dash-operated clutch. Finished in turquoise, this is an exceptionally rare, original, unrestored vehicle that is, indeed, a true survivor.