French Motorcycles

Maratuech Aerocar

A Brief History of the Marque

In 1922 Fernand Maratuech (1894-1966) of Fumel developed an unusual three-wheeler described as "an aeroplane without wings" powered by a BSA 250cc engine. He travelled more than 5,000 kilometers in the machine, which had a top speed of 80 km/h.

Maratuech, a musician, champion cyclist and triathlete, was the creator of numerous devices - tractors, boats, a steam-powered sewing machine and, in 1940, an electric bicycle.

One of his aerocar machines is in the Automobile Club du Sud-Ouest and was restored by Fondation du Patrimoine, a French heritage foundation.

Fernand Maratuech, génial constructeur automobile autodidacte, by Jean-Luc Fournier, 2012. ISBN 978-2-9531374-6-0.

N.B. Date of construction also given as 1925, and mileage driven as 10,000 kms.

Sources: amafl.fr, gazoline.net, prewarcar.com

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