1925 GERIN AERODYNE

FROM AVIATION TO THE AUTOMOBILE

1925 GERIN AERODYNE

FROM AVIATION TO THE AUTOMOBILE

Production Years: 1925
Country: France
Number Produced: 1(Prototype Only)

Jacques Gerin was a pilot in the French military during World War I. He went on to design two cars, the first one driven by a propeller and the second one with a mid-engine and many unique features. This second car was the “Aerodyne.” The body, made of pieces of wood laminated between cast aluminum, is a space frame. There is no chassis.

The shape is aerodynamic. The body was never finished and it is now being made by our shop following the drawings and patent from Jacques Gerin. Sheets of aluminum are formed to follow the contour of the frame. The car was patented in the early twenties. Manufacturing of the prototype was done by Ratier – Ratier Figeac today – in the suburb of Paris, in 1925 and 26.

It is a mid-engine automobile. The 2 liter overhead valve engine is mounted in front of the rear axle. As with everything else in the Gerin, it is a very modern engine for the twenties. Valve springs are tronconic to suppress the vibrations, the rockers are pivoting on ball bearings and there is no oil in the top of the engine. Chevron gears were selected for distribution. There is a dual ignition with one magneto and one distributor.

An independent suspension on all four wheels with hydraulic shock absorbers. The suspension is done through articulating arms. The front wheel has hydraulic brakes with four shoes per wheel. The drum of the brakes is the rim of the wheel itself. Steering is a rack and pinion design, and the steering wheel is adjustable in height.

The transmission is also original; the rear shafts, with inboard brakes, use a small diameter gear to drive the main gear in the wheel. The rear wheels oscillate around the transmission shaft.

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Please note that the vehicles shown online are part of our collection but may not be on display when you visit. Our team is always in some stage of repair or restoration on a number of vehicles.

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Tampa Bay Automobile Museum

3301 Gateway Centre Blvd.
Pinellas Park, FL 33782 USA

Museum Hours:

Monday:       10am - 4:30 pm
Tuesday:       Closed
Wednesday: 10am - 4:30 pm
Thursday:     10am - 4:30 pm
Friday:           10am - 4:30 pm
Saturday:      10am - 4:30 pm
Sunday:         Noon - 4:30 pm

Admission:

$14 General Admission
$12 Seniors (65+)
$10 Active Military and Youth (9-17 y.o.)
8 years old and under free with paid adult
Groups of 12 or More $10 per person