Unique and Different Cars--Very Different

In 2002, Jeff Lane established Lane Motor Museum. Jeff has been an automotive enthusiast since an early age. He began restoring his first car--a 1955 MG TF--when he was a teen.

The Nashville landmark museum is one of the few museums in the U.S. to specialize in European cars--and in the unique and truly one-of-a-kind cars.

Below is a view of about one-third of the vehicles on display. The bright vehicle on the left of the row is a 1938 Tatra T-97, manufactured in Czechoslovakia. The silver cars are also Tatras; one is identified further in photos #3 and #4 below.

Another third of the display is shown below. The brown and white car is a 1958 Tatra T-603 Saloon.

1947 Tatro T-87 Saloon, Czechoslovakia

Tatra began experimenting with car aerodynamics in the early 1930s and began work on an automobile design on which future Tatras were based for decades.

There is a smooth flow of body lines from the three headlights on the front hood to the elegant dorsal fin.

1934 McQuay Norris Streamliner, six promotional vehicles were built for the McQuay Norris Company of St. Louis

The highly advanced, streamlined body design was constructed of steel and aluminum over a wood framework. The curved plexiglass windshield offers a panoramic view--except to the rear. The driver sits in the middle of the body.

1946 Hewson Rocket

William Hewson’s idea was to give the body form a very aerodynamic shape with no projections anywhere-–headlights covered with glass, tail-light lenses flush, and no outside door handles. But Hewson’s capital was depleted by the time the car’s body was finished. This was the only car produced.

1940 American Bantam Roadster

1910 Harley-Davidson Road Bike, replica

1961 Von Dutch "Rocket Car"

This was built by Kenny Howard, aka Von Dutch, for a movie; built from a 120-gallon belly tank from a USAF F-86 Sabre Jet fighter.

1948 Davis Divan

The Davis Divan was presented as an advanced, aircraft-inspired, high-technology car. Sixteen running vehicles were built.

1955 Grataloup

A Frenchman built this car for his personal use. The motorcycle engine was mounted next to the driver for stability.

1919 Leyat Helico, replica

Marcel Leyat developed the belief that propeller-driven vehicles were the wave of the future, and in 1919 began production. His theory was that the cars would be simpler (no transmission, rear axle, or clutch) and lighter, therefore they would be able to obtain better fuel economy. Instead of using traditional wheels, Leyat built his own with aluminum discs, and integrated the brakes to further reduce the drag. He showed his car at the 1921 Paris Auto Show and claims to have received 600 inquiries. Unfortunately, Leyat was never able to get funding to go into large-scale production, but he continued to build propeller-driven cars until about 1926, with a total production of about 25 cars.

1932 Helicron, France

This one-of-a-kind, propeller driven car was discovered in a barn in France in 2000 having been placed there by the original owner in the late 1930s. Little could be seen of it through the rubble. It was completely rebuilt but many of the mechanical components are original.

This propeller-driven car has rear-wheel steering.

1950 Martin Stationette, USA

1933 Panhard-Levassor X74, France

In 1891, Panhard & Levassor built a batch of four identical cars, followed by series after series of increasing numbers, which, chronologically, makes Panhard-Levassor the world’s first make of car in continuous production.

1952 Citroen-Cogolin

The fire and rescue service in Cogolin, France, used a Citroën 15-6 as part of their fleet. One night while on patrol, Colonel Hourcastagné found the narrow mountain road blocked. Unable to turn the car around, he was forced to reverse down the road for several miles aided only by a fireman with a small flashlight to guide the way. This incident gave him the idea for the need of a robust vehicle that could be driven forwards or backwards with the same ease.

This is how the “two-headed 2CV” came to be. Two front sections were welded together. The two parts function independently; each with its own engine. It remained in service for 20 years.

1954 MG TF1250

1965 Peel Trident

With its 19.77 sq. ft. "footprint," it is the world's smallest two-seater. It got about 100 mpg.

1957 Messerschmitt KR200, Germany

The Messerschmitt was one of the first and among the most successful of the many microcars that hit the motoring scene in the 1950s.

1951 Hoffman

This car was built by Michael Hoffman from hardware store and junkyard parts.

1953 Ardex, France

This car has four bicycle tires, one door, and one seat.

Jeff Lane's goal was to search out cars for the collection that are technically significant or uniquely different. Only about 150 of his collection of over 400 cars are on display at any one time, but just from the brief glimpse we had, I would say he has certainly achieved his goal.