The only known survivor of the marque
1900 Augé 8-9hp Twin-Cylinder 'Cyclope' Dos-à-Dos Phaeton

• Short-lived French Make
• Known ownership history
• Formerly owned and restored by past VCC President Peter Phillips
• Many-time London-Brighton Run participant

"Ask the average Veteran Car enthusiast to provide a list of pioneer motor manufacturers and it is unlikely that the firm of Daniel Augé would figure prominently. Indeed, were it not for the fact that within the past five years Peter Phillips has resuscitated the only known survivor of the marque its obscurity would undoubtedly remained, and probably justifiably so." - Malcolm Jeal.

That Augé is one of France's more obscure makes (it merits a mere 10 lines in the Beaulieu Encyclopedia) is hardly surprising given the fact that it was only in business from 1899 to circa 1901. In the early months of 1900 various motoring journals carried news of a new automobile to be produced by Daniel Augé et Cie of Levallois-Perret, Seine and powered by their twin-cylinder water-cooled 'Cyclope' (Cyclops) engine of 5bhp. The latter featured electric ignition and crankpins set at 180 degrees from one another, an unusual arrangement at the time. The Cyclops was manufactured in upright and horizontal versions, the latter being used to power the Augé motor car, which carried its power unit up front. The chassis specification included two-speeds-plus-reverse transmission with chain final drive and a foot pedal operating a brake on the differential, while a hand lever brought the rim brakes into play. A complete Augé automobile was illustrated in The Motor-Car Journal's edition of 21st July 1900. Messrs Vincent & Company of Old Broad Street, London EC2 were appointed British agents.

In his article quoted above, Malcolm Jeal reveals this Augé's history: "Its original owner is not known but in 1910 a Mr Amedée Rossi bought it for his wife. It is believed that it was he who added the windscreen and rear seat. M Rossi sold the vehicle in 1959 to a Dr Réné Gérard of Tonnerre and he disposed of it via Christie's Geneva sale in March 1973 to a Dutch Museum. The late Stephen Langton bought it along with other vehicles when the Museum closed and Peter (Phillips) acquired it in August 1982."

Although well used, the Augé was in very original condition; its restoration necessitated a total strip down of all components. The inevitable teething problems sorted out, the Augé secured a concours win at the Single Cylinder Rally in York, which gives some indication of the standard of Peter Phillips' restoration. It went on to finish the 1984 London-Brighton Veteran Car Run, performing faultlessly and only requiring the adjustment of one inlet valve. Malcolm Jeal concluded his article with a test drive of the Augé, remarking: "Peter and I were able to converse in normal tones and the silence of the vehicle was so incredible that it really needs to be experienced to be believed."

In 1995 Peter Phillips' Augé was selected to represent its class at the Cartier 'Style et Luxe' concours at that year's Goodwood Festival of Speed (certificate on file). Some fifteen years later, in September 2010, Peter Phillips sold the Augé to a well known Veteran-car collector. When the latter offered the car for sale four years later, he advertised it as follows: "historically important, original and unique Victorian car. A well known attractive and remarkably interesting machine, of outstanding provenance, retaining its distinctive original body and upholstery. Optional screen and boot fitted in period. Previously owned by a former VCC President who had an almost perfect London-Brighton record over 27 years. Recorded ownership history in France and photos back to around the time it was new. Concours winner, easy to use and charming. Recent mechanical attention and reliably rallied by me over four years in UK and Europe." The current vendors' late father purchased the Augé from the aforementioned collector a few years later.

Offered with its most appropriate registration, reflecting both the marque and the car number, this unique pioneer automobile is offered with a substantial history file containing a VCC Dating Certificate; V5C registration document; numerous old tax discs and MoTs (most recent expired 2017); a substantial quantity of photocopied technical and historical literature; and copies of early photographs, French registration particulars, and related correspondence from the 1950s.