LOT 268
1907 De Dion-Bouton Type AU 8HP Two Seater Chassis no. 122 Engine no. 20656
Sold for US$20,720 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 268
1907 DE DION-BOUTON TYPE AU 8HP TWO SEATER
1907 De Dion-Bouton Type AU 8HP Two Seater
Chassis no. 122
Engine no. 20656
Chassis no. 122
Engine no. 20656
942cc, Side-Valve 1-Cylinder Water-cooled Engine
Single carburetor, 8bhp
3-Speed Manual Transmission
Semi-Elliptic Leaf Spring Suspension
Rear Mechanical Drum and Transmission Brake
*Sporting 2-place Torpedo bodywork
*Sophisticated engine and De Dion rear axle design
*Offered from more than 50 years of ownership
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
The names of De Dion and Bouton are inextricably linked with the pioneering years of the motor car, initially in company with Trépardoux. For the 1907 season and indeed much later they perpetuated a single cylinder offering, but now the engines had mechanical inlet valves also and what we consider to be a standard plate clutch replaced the previous epicyclic transmission. But it was the aesthetics that defined the new model, since it wore an above frame radiator, and gone was the 'French Front' alligator hood.
Affectionately known as 'The Pumpkin' for obvious reasons, this De Dion has been in the present family ownership for at least 55 years, as it is listed in a letter written about the recently acquired Bentley as being another car in the stable at that point. The De Dion is understood to have been sourced in its original home country of France. When found, the car was very much as it is today, only it had had a roof and extended windshield fitted over the two seats, the tale being that it was like that to protect a mail man on his daily rounds! It was in need of refurbishment, which duly followed.
The car's 'kicker plates' state Automobiles L. Bonneville of Toulouse, being an institution worthy of mention here, since Louis Bonneville was involved in the motorcar industry from its incubation. Born in 1865, and the son of a general mechanical engineer, he was fascinated by engineering and once he'd completed his diploma, he went to work at the pioneering works of Charles Trepardoux, as well as both Peugeot and Panhard et Levassor. Later, he patented a gear mechanism which it is said he sold to Cadillac, and armed with the considerable funds he got from licensing this, he set up garages in the South West of France. Not surprisingly given his heritage, those included agencies for De Dion Bouton, and so it is safe to assume that this would have been delivered new through his esteemed garages.
The car has lived in both Rhode Island and California during its custody within this family and was displayed in 2018 and 2019 at Crespi High School for their 'Celts' Car Show. Recently checked over, after some brief fettling the car was made to run and found to perform quite well, with plenty of energy coming from its 8hp engine.
Single carburetor, 8bhp
3-Speed Manual Transmission
Semi-Elliptic Leaf Spring Suspension
Rear Mechanical Drum and Transmission Brake
*Sporting 2-place Torpedo bodywork
*Sophisticated engine and De Dion rear axle design
*Offered from more than 50 years of ownership
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
The names of De Dion and Bouton are inextricably linked with the pioneering years of the motor car, initially in company with Trépardoux. For the 1907 season and indeed much later they perpetuated a single cylinder offering, but now the engines had mechanical inlet valves also and what we consider to be a standard plate clutch replaced the previous epicyclic transmission. But it was the aesthetics that defined the new model, since it wore an above frame radiator, and gone was the 'French Front' alligator hood.
Affectionately known as 'The Pumpkin' for obvious reasons, this De Dion has been in the present family ownership for at least 55 years, as it is listed in a letter written about the recently acquired Bentley as being another car in the stable at that point. The De Dion is understood to have been sourced in its original home country of France. When found, the car was very much as it is today, only it had had a roof and extended windshield fitted over the two seats, the tale being that it was like that to protect a mail man on his daily rounds! It was in need of refurbishment, which duly followed.
The car's 'kicker plates' state Automobiles L. Bonneville of Toulouse, being an institution worthy of mention here, since Louis Bonneville was involved in the motorcar industry from its incubation. Born in 1865, and the son of a general mechanical engineer, he was fascinated by engineering and once he'd completed his diploma, he went to work at the pioneering works of Charles Trepardoux, as well as both Peugeot and Panhard et Levassor. Later, he patented a gear mechanism which it is said he sold to Cadillac, and armed with the considerable funds he got from licensing this, he set up garages in the South West of France. Not surprisingly given his heritage, those included agencies for De Dion Bouton, and so it is safe to assume that this would have been delivered new through his esteemed garages.
The car has lived in both Rhode Island and California during its custody within this family and was displayed in 2018 and 2019 at Crespi High School for their 'Celts' Car Show. Recently checked over, after some brief fettling the car was made to run and found to perform quite well, with plenty of energy coming from its 8hp engine.
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