Not the Lane’s Example: Acoma Super Comtesse Microcar

This is the sort of thing one finds at Nashville’s amazing Lane Motor Museum, but this isn’t their example. The seller did, however, copy the ad text from their site!

We suspect this southeastern example could have something to do with the Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum, but we didn’t see it in the 2013 auction. Either way, this is a cool little microcar and truly a one-seater. The BIN price of $12,500 is low vs. auction fever prices for 1950s German microcars, but this 1970s French oddball doesn’t play in the same range (yet?). The 50cc Motobecane moped engine is sure to make some level of noise and might even move this vehicle almost out of its own way.

Click for eBay ad
West Palm Beach, FL, USA
$1,000 with one bid, reserve not met, $12,500 BIN price and 6.5 days to go

Styling is, well, 1970s minicar. In this case, that means there isn’t much styling at all.

Rear carries on with the theme of simplicity. Engine hides in the back, under a small shelf.

Interior is as spartan as one would expect. We don’t know exactly how the multiple pedal layout works, but there may be a dedicated reverse pedal.

Ad text:

Super Comtesse Classic Microcar Bubblecar Rare – like Isetta – Peel moped
Acoma Super Comtess Type 780E made from 1978 to 1981
Clearing out some of my collection .
50cc car. This means ‘Without License’ could be driven by a 14 year old, someone who had been prevented from driving because of age or even a drunk driver who had lost their licence.
Top speed is about 39 kmph (24mph).
Good fun for all ages in a large garden or at car shows or for advertising perhaps.
This is a very small car – 1.80m long x 1.17m wide
50cc Motobecane type VO14 engine
Four wheels
Two seats
This four wheel microcar has 12v electrics, electric start, reverse via transfer box and a solidly constructed steel chassis.
ACOMA Super Comtesse- 1978
Acoma Super Comtesse Classic Microcar Bubblecar Rare – like Isetta – Peel moped

The Super Comtesse is an updated version of the Mini-Comtesse, which was famous for its instability. The Super Comtesse was produced eliminating the 3-wheel design, and used a conventional (and more stable) 4-wheel layout. Hydraulic brakes were also added, and the vehicle size was increased, although this is still a one-passenger vehicle. The motor and drive
was also moved to the rear to help improve drivability.

Specifications:
Manufacturer: ACOMA
Country of Origin: Angers, France
Drivetrain Configuration: Rear-engine, rear-wheel drive
Engine: Single cylinder, 49cc Sachs, 2-stroke, air-cooled, 3 HP
Transmission: Centrifugal clutch, 2-speed with reverse
Top Speed: 25 MPH
Years of Production: 1978-1981
Number Produced: About 18,000 (all models)


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