1907 De Dion Bouton Type AL 8hp Two-Seater with Spider

Registration no. DS 6824 Chassis no. 714 Engine no. 20711

Footnotes

At the turn of the 20th century De Dion-Bouton was firmly established as France's, indeed the world's most prolific manufacturer of car engines and cars, with a reputation for well-engineered products. Early rear-engined models, driving through a system of gears to the rear wheels and featuring the renowned De Dion rear axle, gave way to a new generation of front-engined cars for the 1902 season. De Dion's sliding cone gearbox was virtually fool proof and the fast-revving engines were extremely reliable. This method of propulsion continued for several years, with certain modifications and the Model AL, of which this car is an example, was introduced in 1905.

The early history of this car is not specifically known, but some of it can be deduced from the car itself and the first time that it surfaced on collector's radars. That was when it was included in the second of the two legendary Sword Collection auctions, at East Balgray in March 1965, where it was sold as Lot 34 the considerable sum of £1,100. It was registered then 'BW 1103', the BW prefix relating to road registration with Oxford County Council, and since that series began in the earliest days it may well have been its original plate. Interestingly, it also still carries dealer plates for De Dion Bouton's UK agency of Great Marlborough Street and Geo. Burtenshaw of Reigate, all of which suggest a tie of early history in the London suburbs. Generally John Sword's collecting is thought to have been most prolific in the 1940s, so it is likely that the car had been there since that time.

Reports on the Sword sale are included with the paperwork which comes with the car. The identity of the buyer is not known, but later on it was put on display at the Automobilia Cornish Museum at St. Austell, owned by Colin and Carol Vincent. Other owners noted from the file are Keith Butti of Upminster, Essex and David Robinson of nearby Brentwood who purchased it for the sum of £5,500. It then appears to have been transferred to Mrs Robinson in 1983, from whom the current owner's late husband purchased it in 2002. By that time it had the 'DS' prefix number it now wears.

Immediately upon acquisition he set about a full restoration and a full photographic record of this is included in the sale. It was able to be entered for the 2002 Brighton Run, the RAC having reviewed the eligibility for the Run to include cars of 1905 and 1906 manufacture, a decision reversed the following year after much protest. DS 6824 ran as No. 518R and completed the trip.

It was subsequently formally dated by the Veteran Car Club as a Model AL probably manufactured in 1907 and a Dating Certificate (Number 2395) to this effect was issued and comes with the car.

This De Dion was meticulously maintained by its very able (now sadly deceased) enthusiastic engineer owner and has participated in many Veteran Car Club Creepy Crawly and other rallies, for which, as a strong runner, it remains eligible, as well as those organised for members of the burgeoning De Dion Bouton Club UK. With its attractive colour scheme DS 6824 presents extremely well and comes with a Stepney, a full set of lighting, including a very nice pair of Lucas Autolite headlamps and several spares, including what is believed to be the original crankcase, flywheels and two cylinder heads and a history file.