Avions Voisin C27 Roadster. It was created by Gabriel Voisin, a brilliant French designer, engineer and aircraft pioneer. After WWI, Voisin turned to automobiles, following a design path that made his creations truly unique with innovations like Knight sleeve valve engines. The 1934 Voisin Type C27 Roadster is one of only two C27 cars ever made; this one has a special Figoni coach built roadster body that was originally delivered to Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran.
The Avions Voisin C27 was equipped with a 3.0-liter, 6-cylinder engine producing around 80 horsepower. While not as powerful as some of its contemporaries, the car’s lightweight construction and advanced engineering allowed for respectable performance.
The C27 Roadster is a masterpiece of Art Deco design, a movement that heavily influenced Gabriel Voisin’s creations. The car’s body features clean, geometric lines, with a sleek, low-slung profile and flowing curves that give it a timeless elegance. The use of aluminum for body panels and unique styling cues like the stepped rear end make it a visual standout.
True to his aviation roots, Voisin focused on lightweight design. The C27’s body utilized aluminum and other lightweight materials to enhance performance and handling.
Inside, the C27 Roadster was fitted with luxurious materials, including high-quality leather upholstery and intricate dashboard designs. Voisin’s emphasis on innovation extended to the interior, with meticulously crafted controls and instrumentation that reflected the brand’s commitment to both aesthetics and functionality.
The C27 Roadster was part of the broader C27 line, which also included variants such as the C27 Aérosport, a coupe version with similarly streamlined and elegant design language. While the roadster had a more open, sporty feel, the Aérosport was equally admired for its sleek coupe styling. The Avions Voisin C27 Roadster is extremely rare. Only a handful were ever produced, making it a coveted collector’s item today. The brand itself ceased car production after World War II, adding to the rarity and mystique of its pre-war models.
The C27 Roadster is celebrated for its influence on automotive design, particularly in terms of blending engineering with artistic elements. Its combination of lightweight materials, innovative design, and luxurious craftsmanship made it a standout even among other luxury cars of the time.
The Avions Voisin C27 Roadster is a symbol of the golden age of French automotive design. It represents a time when cars were designed not only as machines but as rolling works of art, blending performance with aesthetic vision. The car’s legacy lives on in the world of classic car enthusiasts, with examples fetching high prices at auctions and being showcased in prestigious car museums around the world.
Avions Voisin was a French luxury automobile brand established by Gabriel Voisin in 1919 which traded until 1939. Avions Voisin cars are celebrated for their avant-garde style and craftsmanship.