1901 De Dion Bouton 4½hp Type G Vis-à-Vis

• Previously resident in France
• First registered in the UK in 2003
• Three UK owners
• Present family ownership since October 2008

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.

H J Mulliner records held by the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain suggest that this single-cylinder model was despatched from the factory in July 1901. French licensing documentation from 1907 on file records it as Type G and car No. 964, confirming ownership that year by one Pierre Delobel (or Delocel) of Saint Denoeux, Pas de Calais.

The car was first registered in the UK in April 2003 and has been dated by the Veteran Car Club as 1901, with a note that this was 'an original vehicle which complies with the specification of the 1901-02 De Dion Bouton Type G2'. A Dating Certificate No. 2423 was duly issued in 2003. While in previous ownership the car was campaigned on both the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run and suitable VCC events. Previously registered 'N 81', the De Dion has had three owners in the UK and was acquired by the present custodians at Bonhams' New Bond Street Sale in October 2008 (Lot 310).

The coachwork is smartly presented in blue with lacquered wooden wings and black buttoned upholstery, and the car is equipped with a La Photolithe acetylene headlamp and Autoroche Reflex oil side lamps. The cape cart hood affords some weather protection should inclement weather be encountered on the run to Madeira Drive.
Admirably catered for by both the VCC and the De Dion Bouton Club UK, and with ready availability of the more commonly needed essential spares, this exceptionally attractive Vis-à-Vis is offered with a comprehensive history file containing a V5C registration document; details of previous owners in France; sundry bills; photocopied technical literature and parts list; De Dion Bouton Club UK paperwork; an instruction book; and a VCC Dating Certificate.