Paris-The Hague in 5 hours flat. (Upd. Martin's career)

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A real oddball which will be on display amidst ten others is the one off Amilcar-Martin Special Coupe which was built by the French designer/engineer Jean Martin. The car may look as a full grown Coupe, but in fact it's verrry small and low. The last long time owner was Rudy Kousbroek who drove the car countless times up and down to France from The Hague, Holland. One time in the devastating record time of only 5 hours. An average of 90 km/hour over five hours in that era (late sixties) and on the roads of that time and in this car is truly amazing. No wonder that he usually left behind him ultramodern Peugeots "404" and Renaults "16" in awe and disbelief. Yet the car is a total mystery. From the very much unAmilcarish V-shaped radiator through the superlow unknown coachwork (any mass-production elements from other makes?) to the mystery rearaxle. Anybody in France who has known Jean Martin or remembers when and how the car was built? Check the ultra low roof Coupe made from very thin alloy on a "combi" photo showing Kousbroek and current owner Kersten. If you want to study the car somewhat better, then come to Maastricht / InterClassics this weekend. (photos courtesy les Amis d'Amilcar des Pays-Bas)

UPDATE by Bart Oosterling:"In W. Boddy's book on Brooklands Race track there is a reference to a Jean Martin driving a private entry blown Salmson (1928). In Small Car Racing and Record Breaking by Mike Hawke the same info is given. Boddy adds that he was a "non starter".
In Chris Draper's Salmson book there is mention of a "Martin" in the 1934 "GP de France" at Monthléry, where Martin did not finish in his Amilcar (p.117). Also this book mentions a "Martin" in a Salmson (p.98) at Brooklands JCC 200 mile race, 1926 but no reference about this in Boddy's book. Maybe Chris Draper can verify is this is the same Martin. "

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