New•Map Solyto- 1959

When it first appeared in 1938, the New•Map Microcar from the well-known motorcycle manufacturer was something of a novelty, but it certainly found favor in the post-war period. During the mid 1950s, New•Map, under the direction of Robert Robin, produced a range of scooters as well as the three-wheeled Solyto utility truck which you see here. These vehicles were built at the sheet-metal division of New•Map and were called the Societe Lyonnaise de Tolerie – hence the odd name. By the early 1970s, the Solyto was being offered in three body styles – one being this break-camping with four windows in the rear compartment. This van is a petite 4½ feet tall, 4¼ feet wide, 8 feet long and weighs approximately 330 pounds.