Davis Divan
Year:
1949
Manufacturer:
Davis Motor Car Company, Van Nuys, California, USA
Number Produced:
17
Specifications:
4 cylinder 162 cu/in continental engine
Three speed manual gearbox
Three-wheeled (1 front, 2 rear) configuration
Description:
The Davis Divan was the brainchild of Gary Davis, who founded the Davis Motor Car Company in 1947 in Van Nuys, California. Inspired by a three-wheeled prototype originally built by Frank Kurtis for playboy millionaire Joel Thorne in 1938, Davis envisioned a futuristic, aircraft-inspired car that would revolutionize personal transportation in post-war America.
The Divan featured a lightweight aluminium body, enclosed front wheels, seating for four across a single bench seat, and its signature three-wheel layout one at the front and two at the rear. The car’s styling and engineering were innovative, and Davis generated immense publicity and hype, attracting celebrity interest and selling over 300 dealer franchises before even entering full production.
However, behind the scenes, the company was in financial turmoil. Employees worked unpaid, and Davis was eventually charged with fraud and grand theft. By 1949, only 17 Divans had been built before the company collapsed, and all assets were sold off by 1950.
This rare example is believed to have once been owned by Rear Admiral Fahrey and was reportedly used in President Harry Truman’s 1949 inauguration parade. Whether confirmed or not, it remains a fascinating chapter in American automotive history and one of the rarest post-war cars ever made.
