The airplane without wings – an original 1921 Leyat Hélica 2H Conduite Intérieure

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There are museums you might think are already complete, that nothing more could possibly improve their collections, and that they should remain exactly as they are. The Louwman Museum in The Hague is such a place. Yet once again it has managed to surprise us – and even tempt us into a new visit. The reason? A remarkable addition to the collection: an original 1921 Leyat Hélica 2H Conduite Intérieure.

Most will know them as the propeller cars. At the Festival of Slowth last May a replica was on display, and we filmed an attempt to start it (shown here). That was already special, but now it is an authentic survivor.

The Hélica in The Hague is chassis number 004. Marcel Leyat initially built and used the car himself as a development vehicle, but soon sold it to the Peugeot family for private use. More than a century later, the grandson of the first owner decided it was time to share this unique piece of engineering with the public. Through a man who had built a replica back in the 1960s, the Louwman Museum was contacted – and so the Hélica eventually found its way to The Hague.

At its introduction in 1913 the Hélica quickly gained the nickname “airplane without wings”. Not surprising, with that large propeller up front. The propeller, powered by an air-cooled two-cylinder engine, provided the thrust for the four-wheeled car. This made a gearbox and clutch unnecessary – as well as a reverse gear. Still, with a weight of only 250 kilos, pushing it backwards was hardly a problem. Steering was done via the rear axle, while the front axle carried drum brakes operated by double pedals.

After years of experimentation, Leyat presented his first production model in 1921. At the Paris Motor Show some 600 interested buyers came forward, but in the end only 30 cars were built. Reportedly, just three survive. The example now in the Louwman Museum is unique: the only Hélica with a closed body, a Conduite Intérieure.

The Louwman Collection has the reputation of being a living museum. We hope they will honour that tradition by bringing this Hélica to life as well – and that we’ll be there with our camera!

The 1921 Leyat Hélica is now on display at the Louwman Museum in The Hague. Highly recommended for anyone who thinks they’ve already seen it all.

Text by Laurens Klein

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