1904 De Dion Buton Model Y 6hp Two-seater

Footnotes

The names of De Dion and Bouton are inextricably linked with the pioneer years of the motor car, initially in company with Trépardoux in the building of light steam carriages, the first of which appeared in 1883. In the early 1890s De Dion and Bouton turned their attention to the internal combustion engine, much to the annoyance of Trépardoux who quit in 1894, leaving his erstwhile partners to develop what was, in effect, the first high-speed internal combustion engine.

Engineer Georges Bouton's power units developed significantly greater output than their contemporaries from Daimler and Benz, yet matched them for reliability. Small wonder then that De Dion Bouton engines were adopted by many other manufacturers of tricycles, quadricycles, and light cars, both in Europe and the United States, influenced no doubt by the success of the flying tricycles in such events as the Paris-Bordeaux and other endurance races. Early 137cc engines ran at speeds of up to 1,500rpm, while the 250cc engine of 1896 developed approximately 1¾ horsepower and made the contemporary Benz engines seem positively antiquated.

Early De Dions were rear-engined and of the vis-à-vis type – where the passengers sat facing the driver – but from 1902 onwards the firm began to adopt what would become accepted as the conventional layout for a motor car. By this time, De Dion's fast-revving, single-cylinder engines were offered in 4½hp, 6hp, and 8hp variants. All featured mechanical inlet and atmospheric exhaust valves, and were noted for their reliability, which is borne out by the number surviving today.

This single-cylinder three-speed De Dion Bouton was discovered on a sheep station in New Zealand circa 1967. There are extensive notes in the accompanying history file dating from the car's time in New Zealand together with a selection of 'as found' photographs and a current V5C Registration Certificate. Carrying brass kick-plates to each side bearing the legend 'De Dion Bouton Gt Marlborough St London', the car is known to have been in Scarborough, North Yorkshire in 1905 prior to departing for New Zealand. Correspondence with Dennis Field of the UK's VCC indicates that this car formerly carried four-person swing-seat coachwork by Lamplugh of France. The two-seat coachwork currently fitted was made in New Zealand by Dave Hall.

The car is handsomely finished in green with yellow wheels, black trim, and black mudguards, while noteworthy features include Smiths headlamps and a pair of P&H side lamps. Fully dated by the VCC (dating file included), it has completed Brighton Runs in recent years with the VCC Chairman at the controls, and also several Creepy Crawly rallies.