Gabriel Voisin’s goal as an automobile manufacturer was to build a perfect car: Modern, safe, comfortable, reliable, and efficient. Like Le Corbusier, his contemporary in the field of architecture, Voisin believed that modern life could be greatly improved through design. Many believe that Voisin’s approach was informed by his brother Charles’ death in 1912, the result of an automobile accident.

As such, each Voisin automobile was designed as a whole, in response to the number of passengers and their needs, then suitably titled, codified, and catalogued. Engine, chassis, and body were specifically tailored to passenger requirements and every model, constructed entirely in-house, featured aero-inspired electrical systems, sophisticated suspension geometries, efficient sleeve-valve engines, precise castings, interchangeable components, and radically styled coachwork.

The incomparable automobiles of Gabriel Voisin represent the culmination of a gifted engineer’s vision, beautifully realized.

Of his many extraordinary offerings, one of the most remarkable was debuted at the 1934 Salon de l’Automobile in Paris, an exhibition that showcased several groundbreaking motorcars. Even among the likes of Citroën’s Traction Avant and Gaston Grümmer’s Aeroprofil, Voisin’s stand was a focal point. Everyone had come to see the new Aérodyne – an automobile that represented the very essence of modernity.

The Aérodyne is a perfect example of Gabriel Voisin’s “rational design” philosophy, expressed by his famous dictum: “No line which does not fulfill a function can be beautiful.” Here was an exclusive car with no concession to contemporary fashion – a true engineer’s car – whose original concept and brilliant execution captured the public’s imagination.

Aerodynamic efficiency guided the creation of the bodywork, which employed cutting-edge construction methods and lightweight materials developed from aircraft design. With the Aérodyne, Voisin’s traditional wings gave way to streamlined pontoon forms, and the trunk was integrated into the body’s fastback design, creating a dramatic, sweeping arch in profile.

Evolved from the earlier C24, the new Voisin was brimming with mechanical curiosities. While the C25’s advanced sleeve-valve six-cylinder engine was typical Voisin practice, it was on this model that an option of an electromagnetic gearbox first appeared.

The most remarkable feature of the Aérodyne was its retractable roof, which opened and closed by means of an ingenious two-cylinder pneumatic suction motor located in the trunk. This mesmerizing feature gave the Aérodyne the dual personality of a sporting open touring car and a comfortable, closed Berline. When the roof was in its closed position, a series of porthole windows in the roof panel ensured that the cabin was well lit.

Aimed at the very top of the market, the Aérodyne was generously equipped with the finest modern amenities. The dashboard was complete with every imaginable feature, from an array of beautiful Jaeger instruments to controls for the adjustable Dufaux-Repusseau dampers. Boasting comfortable seating for five, the cockpit was upholstered in vibrant patterned fabrics.

Priced at 88,000 French francs, the C25 was available only to an elite clientele of discerning motorists. In total, just 28 examples were built during 1934–1935, of which only eight were fashioned with exotic Aérodyne coachwork.

The history of this Voisin C25 Aérodyne, chassis 50023, can be traced back to 1963, when pioneering collector Henry Browne de Kilmaine acquired it for his growing stable of important early motorcars.

A well-known figure among French enthusiasts, M. de Kilmaine served for many years as an officer of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest and helped organize the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Between 1949 and 2004, he attended every running of the famed endurance race and in 1961 participated in the foundation of the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum. It was at this time that he began to acquire cars for his private collection, with a focus on innovative French classics.

After learning of M. de Kilmaine’s latest acquisition, the Comité d’Organisation des Salons Internationaux de l’Automobile asked him to display the Aérodyne at Les Belles Voitures d’Autrefois, a major classic car exhibition. Held in October 1963, the event was reported in the Revue Automobile, with the Voisin illustrated as a highlight.

In 1972, M. de Kilmaine entered the Aérodyne in the Coupes de l’Age d’Or, a historic motor sports event held on the Bugatti circuit at Le Mans. According to a contemporary article, the Voisin wore race no. 56 and “scored good results in the regularity event.”

In 1984, M. de Kilmaine’s Voisin was invited to take part in the prestigious exhibition 100 Years of Motoring, held at the Grand Palais, where, 50 years earlier, Avions Voisin had unveiled the Aérodyne. Years later, he displayed the Voisin at the Châtellerault museum (2002–2008) and the Le Mans museum (2008).

Following M. de Kilmaine’s passing, his collection was dispersed in 2008 and the prized Aérodyne was sold to noted UK-based collector Jon Hunt. Complete and very original, but in need of restoration, the Voisin was entrusted to UK specialist Blakeney Motorsport, a firm that has been internationally recognized for their magnificent show-quality restorations and exceptional racing preparation. No expense was spared in returning the Aérodyne to its original splendor and the entire restoration process is well documented, with photographs and written reports confirming the scope and quality of the work performed.

With great care and attention to detail, the mechanical systems were restored to operating condition, including the pneumatic retractable roof mechanism and electromagnetic gearbox. The sleeve-valve engine was rebuilt with new sleeves, pistons, and connecting rods, while the crankshaft and camshaft were refinished to exacting tolerances to allow for the smooth, effortless operation for which these engines are renowned. The retractable roof panel was retrofitted with an electric motor for ease of operation and the original rectangular window panels were substituted for the more iconic circular porthole design.

Completed in 2012 and refinished in a two-tone combination of dark blue and gray, the C25 Aérodyne was debuted to great acclaim at that year’s Concours of Elegance at Windsor Castle.

Since it was acquired by the consignor in 2013, the Voisin has returned to Blakeney Motorsport for a repaint in its striking original color scheme, as presented today. The car’s interior is incredibly well appointed, having been completely retrimmed in splendid fabric and leather upholstery by the craftsmen at Hermès Paris. In the current ownership, the Aérodyne has been shown just once – at the 2022 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®, where it was awarded The Vitesse Elegance Trophy for the car that best embodies the combination of excellence in performance and elegance in design.

Seldom seen on the contemporary concours circuit, this Voisin offers its next owner the exciting opportunity to share a magnificent French classic with an appreciative international audience. Beyond its promising future in concours events, the Aérodyne could also serve as a distinctive rally entrant, as its advanced chassis and unique coachwork are sure to reward driver and passengers alike with an utterly unique motoring experience.

A credit to its inspired concept and exclusivity, the C25 Aérodyne is widely regarded among the most significant of all Voisin automobiles. This streamlined machine is a stirring reminder of the golden age of automotive design, when bold, uncompromising ideas were championed by dynamic individuals and put into production with little regard to fleeting trends, internal politics, or price. Not only is this Voisin a masterpiece of Art Deco industrial design, it is also surely one of the most technologically advanced and thought-provoking automobiles of the 1930s.

Of the eight examples built, only three C25 Aérodynes are known to survive today, including the car offered here. Another example is maintained in a private Swiss collection and the third – a fixture in the Mullin Automotive Museum collection – received Best of Show honors at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®.

Possessing avant-garde engineering, a rich French provenance, and a superb restoration, this Voisin Aérodyne is a kinetic sculpture like no other.