This 103-year-old Romanian clown shoe car was a trailblazer in automotive aerodynamics as we currently understand it.

      Dimitrie Leonida Technical Museum

      In the annals of automotive history, numerous unforgettable names stand out, symbolizing remarkable achievements in engineering and design. Figures like Henry Ford, Enzo Ferrari, Colin Chapman, Marcello Gandini, and the more recent Gordon Murray come to mind. However, one name that has largely faded from memory is Aurel Persu. In 1922, this Romanian engineer and designer introduced a vehicle that, by today's standards, may seem unusual, yet it was a significant advancement in aerodynamics. If it were constructed today, over a century later, only a few cars would surpass its aerodynamic performance.

      Persu graduated from the Charlottenburg Higher Technical School in Berlin in the early 1900s and pursued studies in aerodynamics and aircraft in Romania during World War I. Following the war, he returned to Berlin and received a patent for an aerodynamic automobile in 1922, which featured wheels integrated into the bodywork. This was a noteworthy innovation, as most cars of that era were designed with exposed wheels.

      What he designed was a vehicle resembling a raindrop, featuring a large, streamlined front that narrowed significantly towards the rear. Although detailed information about Persu’s car is scarce, a dedicated website mentions that the vehicle had a wheelbase slightly exceeding 10 feet, an overall length of 15 feet, and a front wheel track width of 3.9 feet, compared to a narrower 2.2 feet at the rear. The most critical specification was its drag coefficient. Some sources report it as 0.20, while others indicate 0.22.

      Even taking the conservative estimate of 0.22, this is an impressive figure for 1922. Today, only a few cars exceed this performance, such as the Lucid Air, Mercedes EQS, and Volkswagen XL1. The Porsche Taycan matches it, while the Tesla Model 3 has a slightly higher drag coefficient of 0.23. It’s important to note that Persu did not have to contend with modern safety regulations, crashworthiness, pedestrian safety standards, or interior comforts. Contemporary car manufacturers, equipped with advanced technology and knowledge, could easily surpass Persu’s drag figure if they had the same creative freedom he enjoyed. Nevertheless, his accomplishments were groundbreaking for his time.

      The rounded front section of the car accommodated the passengers, while the engine, transmission, and drivetrain were positioned in the slimmer rear section. Thus, it was a cab-over, mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive two-seater—an uncommon combination that would be intriguing to see replicated. The engine was a water-cooled four-cylinder from AGA-Werke in Berlin, producing 40 horsepower. With its remarkably aerodynamic shape, Persu's vehicle was reported to reach speeds of 62 mph.

      Images of Persu’s car during and after its restoration, along with an archival photograph at the end. Dimitrie Leonida Technical Museum

      Only one version of his aerodynamically designed car was produced, which Persu is said to have used as his daily driver. This singular model now resides at the Dimitrie Leonida Technical Museum in Bucharest, Romania. According to the museum, Persu utilized his creation extensively, accumulating over 100,000 miles on the vehicle. The car underwent a thorough restoration in 2023, as detailed by Romanian outlet TurboMAG.

      Persu is cherished in Romania, where he and his car have even been honored on multiple stamps—an understandable tribute considering his contribution. Although he built a single car, it stands as one of the most innovative automobiles in history.

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