AutoCult Hoppe & Steur Norvell Streamliner (1946) (USA)

About the Original

Spare part recycling

The idea that Jack Norvell from Los Angeles had at the end of World War II was quite spectacular due to the fact that it deviated very far from the usual vehicle design. It is not known what the decisive impulse was for the designer to create his cars, but he apparently came into possession of abundantly high-quality aluminum from the aircraft sector. From these parts he bent, welded, and thinned a car body, which provided space for the engine in the rear. From the few known data, it was only mentioned that it was an engine from Chrysler. It provided a lot of horsepower, as according to the statements of its builder back then, the Streamliner drove 131 miles fast – 210 km/h!

The entire vehicle had a length of 18 feet – 5.4 meters – and was designed for first-class aerodynamics. The driver sat far forward, straight behind the front wheel axle. The small front wheels were specially covered with an aluminum fairing in teardrop shape.

His unique car became known nationwide through various publications of the then popular technical magazines. In 1946, some magazines, such as “Popular Mechanics”, published very brief presentations of the revolutionary-looking streamliner. After that, it became quiet around the vehicle and at some point it disappeared completely from the scene, without anyone mourning it.