Paris Motor Show '1928

Bucciali TAV 6 '1928

In October 1928 a sensation at the 22nd Paris Motor Show was the Bucciali TAV-6. Six years before the appearance of the Citroën Traction and more than two years before the launch of the DKW F1, the Bucciali TAV-6 featured front-wheel drive. Another innovative concept which would only become familiar to most auto-industry observers several decades later was provided by the Sensaud de Lavaud infinitely variable automatic transmission. The car was exhibited on the Bucciali show stand in bare chassis form, enabling visitors to study the fwd drive-train with its enormous transversely mounted transmission, as well as the all-round independent suspension. Almost as eye catching in their own terms were the wheels which were elaborately sculpted from Alpax castings. The car at the show sat on a 3,470 mm (136.6 in) wheelbase and was powered by a Continental side-valve 2.4 litre engine. Later versions of the car would be offered with 6 or 8 cylinder engines.