Aero (automobile)

The Aero was a Czech automobile, manufactured between 1929 and 1947 by a well-known aircraft and car-body company owned by one Dr. Kabes in Praha-Vysocany.

The original model, the Aero Type 500 cyclecar, had a 499 cc single-cylinder two-stroke engine with water cooling. Drive was to the rear axle through a 3 speed gearbox to a back axle without differential. Body styles were a roadster, cabriolet and coupé all with two seats in the front and one in the rear. About 1500 were made.

The next model in 1932, the Type 20, was a 660 cc vertical twin with, among other improvements, four wheel brakes. The most common body was a two door 3 seat roadster but 4 door saloons were also made using steel covered timber framed coachwork. A 999 cc 26 bhp engine was available from 1932.

In 1934 the Type 30 was announced with a 998 cc 26 bhp twin-cylinder engine, front wheel drive and all independent suspension. The car could reach 65 mph (105 km/h). About 3000 were made before the war.

The last model, the Type 50, also front-wheel-drive, had a 1997 cc four-cylinder 50 PS (37 kW two-stroke engine with alloy cylinder head and was capable of reaching 78 mph (125 km/h).

After the war the company made the Type 30 until 1947. About 500 were produced with 200 going to France and 100 to Belgium. Design work had been done on a new post war range which would have had hydraulic brakes and four speed gearboxes but they did not go into production. Aero disappeared when the Czech motor industry was nationalised.

Many famous drivers won many events in Aero cars including a third in category on the 1934 Monte Carlo Rally.