Saturday, February 26, 2022

the 1948 Davis is coming to auction


the unmistakable Davis Divan, was the brainchild of Glen Davis, a used car salesman from Indiana, and it was based loosely on a one-off custom designed by Frank Kurtis.

The three-wheeled Davis was promoted as the car of the future: a fuel-efficient, streamlined, aluminum-bodied runabout with a bench seat. Unfortunately, after failing to deliver on more than a million dollars in dealer contracts and deposits, Davis was convicted of fraud, and the Davis Company ordered shuttered by the courts.

This example is the 3rd produced and one of 12 known to exist. Preceded by two prototypes, it is the first “production” example of the rare model. 

After liquidation, the car went to Michigan where it was stored away but neglected, and it was discovered in 2011 by the most recent owners, who became devoted Davis enthusiasts. Under their care, it was restored in its present metallic brown exterior over a two-tone beige and brown interior.

This car features an L-head Hercules 4-cylinder engine paired with a three-speed manual gearbox, and a removable fiberglass hardtop
 


https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/am22/amelia-island/lots/r0068-1948-davis-divan/1211452

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