c.1901 Cottereau et Cie 7hp Project

Footnotes

Like so many of its contemporaries, the company founded in Dijon by brothers Louis and Henri Cottereau began life as a bicycle manufacturer before turning to the automobile. Built in 1898, the brothers' first offering was a light car, which was powered by a 5hp v-twin engine and featured a three-speed gearbox and chain final drive. In 1900 the engine was enlarged to 9hp and wheel steering adopted in place of the original handlebar. The majority of the 1901 range was made up of twin-cylinder models, although Cottereau also offered a single-cylinder Benz-like car and a 10hp four. A comparatively large concern, Cottereau made virtually all elements of its cars in house, thereby avoiding the potential problems caused by components of sometimes variable quality sourced from outside. Characterised by Hotchkiss-style round radiators, the 1906 range was Cottereau's most extensive, featuring single-, twin-, three-, and four-cylinder models of varying power outputs, the largest being a 24hp four. Despite having a lot to offer, Cottereau went into decline from around 1908 and before the year's end was reorganised as Constructions Industrielle Dijonaise (CID), while the motorcycle side of the business was sold to Terrot. CID offered two lines of product: a light car and a larger model featuring rotary valve engines, and survived for only a few more years, closing in 1914.

Consisting in the main of a rolling chassis with engine and carburettor, this incomplete 7hp twin-cylinder Cottereau was discovered in France 18 months ago. It is a rare car - the VCC has only ever come across one Cottereau twin before - and this one almost certainly dates from 1901 (wheels of equal size were introduced for 1902), while the water-cooled cylinder heads indicate it is the larger, 7hp model. The transmission and bodywork are missing, as is the crankshaft, con-rods and pistons, but the cylinder bores and all the valves are in good condition. A challenging project admittedly, but one that nevertheless has the potential to reward its restorer with a powerful early twin. Offered for restoration and sold strictly as viewed, the Lot includes NOVA details and period articles and a catalogue copied during research undertaken at the VCC library.

This Lot is available to view at Classic Car Storage near Petersfield, Hampshire (by appointment with the Car Department only) from Monday 24th October to Wednesday 2nd November. It will then be available to view at Bonhams, 101 New Bond Street on Friday 4th November from 10am.