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;) | ;) | ;) | ;) | ;) |
| Lot number | 63 |
|---|---|
| Hammer value | £950 |
| Description | Acoma Mini Comtesse |
| Year | c.1980 |
| Colour | White |
| Engine size | 47 cc |
| Documents | None |
‘They’re like buses, you wait an eternity and then two come along at once’ so the saying goes. You could say this about the Acoma Mini Comtesse, although that is where any similarity ends. The second Mini Comtesse in as many Brightwells’ sales, we are delighted to announce that this one actually works!
The fad for French micro-cars came about simply because you don’t need a driving licence to use one on French roads. In the 1970s and ‘80s, a significant part of the French population had never passed a test, yet still needed to go about their daily business, an industry emerging to make the most of this legal anomaly.
The Acoma Company seized on this loophole and introduced the Acoma Mini Comtesse, a single seat, five-wheeled vehicle which was the only car to have ever been fitted with one conventional and one gullwing door – eat your heart out Mercedes-Benz!
Powered by an over-burdened 50cc Motobecane engine attached to the front wheel, they became surprisingly popular and continued in production, admittedly with significant improvements, until 1984. New models were introduced including the unlikely Comtesse Super Coupe, Break (station wagon) and even a Comtesse Super Sport, over 3,500 finding new owners in 1979 alone.
Designed and built in period as a serious transport alternative, today they have a cult following (OK, a small cult following) as humorous curios. For those lucky enough to have seen Tweedy the Clown at the wondrous Giffords Circus, they will already be familiar with the Comtesse, which hints at its status as a machine of amusement rather than a piece of rolling art. Never mind, they take up virtually no space and if you were ever lucky enough to acquire another, they would stack together like Lego.
Reputed to be in running and driving, it will need a certain amount of recommissioning work before hitting the streets once more, although being so small this shouldn't take too long. Potential bidders are advised that there is no paperwork to accompany this vehicle.
Of all the cars in the sale, we suspect that this is the one in which you’re most likely to have the biggest laugh with your mates – just think of that when you're bidding!
