Breguet A2

In the aviation world, the name Breguet means more than it does in the automotive world. In the 1970s and 1980s, the Dutch Naval Air Service flew Atlantic aircraft made by this manufacturer.

Before World War I, in addition to aircraft, Breguet manufactured some luxury 6-cylinder cars. Although of good quality, they failed to sell in large numbers. More or less out of necessity they manufactured a number of electric vehicles between 1942 and 1945. Breguet was not allowed to manufacture aircraft during that period but sought employment for its workforce. These unassuming four-wheeled vehicles were built on a simple central tube chassis, to which the electric motor was attached. The bodywork was mounted on outriggers welded to the central tube. The car was fitted with 6 batteries that together provided a voltage of 72 V. Range per charge was claimed to be about 65 km at an average speed of 40 km/h. This extremely rare vehicle is one of the last of a series of just under 200 produced. It was stored in the garage of a French Chateau for 64 years and was discovered only recently. The battery charger that belongs with the car is also on display.