1927 Amilcar CGS Voiturette

Registration no. NF 1625 Chassis no. 18737

Footnotes

One of France's foremost exponents of sporting voiturettes, Amilcar was founded by Andre Morel and engineer Edmond Moyet to build competitive high-performance cyclecars. Emile Akar, a Paris businessman, and Joseph Lamy, an executive at cyclecar maker Le Zebre, backed the partners' prototype, which was enthusiastically received. Production of the CC, Amilcar's first model, commenced production in 1921.

Designed by Edmond Moyet, the CC featured Amilcar's own four-cylinder 904cc sidevalve engine, a three-speed gearbox and quarter-elliptic springing, and would develop into the Types CS and 4C. The CC was praised for its excellent, responsive handling and adequate power, attracting a large and loyal following and setting the pattern for future models. It also provided Morel with his desired competition success when he became the 1100cc Class Champion of France in 1922.

The successor 1,074cc Amilcar CGS was by far the marque's most successful model, effectively establishing its reputation worldwide. Production began in 1924 and continued through 1929 with continuous improvement to a design of proven performance and reliability. Mostly fitted with two-seat bodywork (in aluminium at extra cost), the CGS afforded owners the opportunity to enter local competitions, proving highly successful. Indeed, so popular was the Amilcar CGS that it was built under license in Italy, Germany, and Austria, and sold in the USA by no less than Maybach Motors in New York City.

This well-travelled Amilcar CGS was formerly owned by an Australian before coming to the UK in the 1970s. Reportedly, the car was raced by a lady driver at Prescott, Silverstone, and other venues with the VSCC. Subsequently it was sold to Belgium, remaining there for some ten years before being offered for sale by the Belgian dealer Marreyt, from whom it was purchased by the immediately preceding owner, a friend of the current vendor.

Over the last ten years the Amilcar has been comprehensively restored, including a full engine rebuild around a new cylinder block and an in-period Cozette high-performance cylinder head. Any machining work required was undertaken by Formhalls Vintage & Racing. Other works carried out included rebuilding the magneto; re-spoking and powder coating the wheels; and re-trimming the interior in chocolate leather.

Offered with sundry restoration bills and a V5C Registration Certificate, this charming Amilcar CGS represents a rare opportunity to acquire one the great French lightweight sports cars of the Vintage era. The original (repairable) cylinder block and head are included in the sale.