Lot 301: De Dion 3 1/2hp Voiturette

Count Albert De Dion commissioned Messrs Bouton and Trépardoux, brothers-in-law and jobbing engineers, to build light steam carriages for him as early as 1882. In 1895 attention was switched to the fashionable new internal combustion engine and De Dion Bouton et Cie were marketing a diminutive petrol engined tricycle. These early tricycles were powered by Bouton's new, high speed, single cylinder, vertical engine which revved at almost twice the speed of the contemporary Daimlers. By 1899 the company was marketing a 31/2 HP voiturette, an all new generation of four wheel motor car with rear mounted engine driving through a system of gears to the rear wheels. The engine had a bore and stroke of 80 x 80mm, displacing 402cc. The carburettor was De Dion's own and lubrication was by splash. Cooling was via a tubular radiator mounted at the front and using a centrifugal pump. The gearbox was simplicity itself featuring constant mesh gears with separate expanding clutches for the two available speeds. Notably on this model the De Dion rear axle made its first appearance. A more powerful 4 1/2 HP engine was offered in the vis-à-vis models from October 1900 as the new model for 1901. Remarkably this exciting restoration project has been in the same family ownership in the West Country for 56 years. This vehicle was discovered by the father of the present owner, (illustrated standing on the car in 1953), soon after this highly original car was unearthed. The car was substantially complete but had not been run for many years and was subsequently partially dismantled for restoration. That restoration was never completed and the De Dion was put away in the pit in the owner's garage, from where it has recently emerged into the daylight. The original engine had suffered frost damage and was dismantled for restoration. At the time of our inspection the crankshaft, conrod and piston were missing and buyers must satisfy themselves as to the completeness of the mechanical parts. A very recent chance discovery at the Beaulieu Autojumble sees this car now offered also with a substantially complete 3 1/2hp De Dion engine, pre-dating only slightly the original engine from the car. Much of the original timber coachwork survives in poor condition, however the vehicle is offered with 'new' timberwork acquired for the restoration some 56 years ago. Although apparently in a derelict state, careful inspection will show how remarkably complete this voiturette is. The gearbox is mounted in situ, as is the original radiator, and the car is offered with water and fuel tanks. At some stage the braking system has been crudely modified to a side lever system. The steering column and associated controls are all in place and the chassis frame appears essentially sound. Although missing one front wheel, the hub for same is in place. The car retains its original identity plate stating that it was licensed by British Motor Traction Co. Ltd. and the Dion Dunlop Motor Co. Ltd., No.1237. Part of the seat base shows the supplier's plate for De Dion Bouton Ltd., 28 Brook Street, Bond Street, London W. It is fortunate therefore that this car retains such a clear authentic identity. Photographs from 1953 show the registration number P 5721 mounted on the front coachwork and that number remains today painted on the back of the rear seat. Although there are no documents whatsoever with this vehicle and no information known regarding its earlier history, these early photographs and a cutting from the Bristol Evening Post from 24th April 1953 may enable the original Surrey registration number to be recovered. Such veteran restoration projects as this are becoming increasingly rare. De Dion Boutons are exceptionally well catered for by the active De Dion Bouton Club U.K. and, as well as a relatively good availability of original spare parts, many other more common parts are now being remanufactured by specialist suppliers.