Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 180 ¤
c.1910 Rochet-Schneider Five Passenger Touring Car Chassis no. 79
Sold for US$25,200 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 180¤
c.1910 Rochet-Schneider Five Passenger Touring Car
c.1910 Rochet-Schneider Five Passenger Touring Car
Chassis no. 79
Chassis no. 79
Approx. 290ci (5 Liters), Side-Valve, 4-Cylinder Engine
Single Zenith Carburetor
32hp
3-Speed Manual
Front, Semi-Elliptic Leaf Spring, Rear, Three-Quarter Elliptic Leaf Spring
2-Wheel Drum Brakes
*Offered from the Two Generations Collection
*Rare Survivor of Luxury French Manufacturer
*Intriguing Project
† Sold In Situ - Noted lot is being sold in situ and preview is available Tuesday and Wednesday May 30th and 31st. To make arrangements to view the lots and for further information please contact [email protected].
Please refer to the Buyer Information page for further information.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
Based at Chemin-Feuillat in Lyon, Rochet-Schneider was one of Les Grands Marques of the Edwardian period in France. The firm was so called because it was initially run by the Rochets, father and son, together with Théophile Schneider, a member of the eponymous armaments manufacturing family. Originally bicycle manufacturers, Société Anonyme des Établissements Rochet-Schneider built its first automobile in 1894, and in 1901 at the Paris Salon exhibited two cars of Panhard configuration. However, by this time the most advanced type of car was the German Mercedes, so for 1903 the Lyonnaise cars were redesigned along Mercedes lines. From the introduction of that year's 20/22hp model, Rochet-Schneider's reputation as the builder of strong, fast cars grew rapidly, fully justifying the firm's description of its products as 'Les voitures de qualité'.
The Rochet-Schneider presented here lacks any chassis or engine plates, making deciphering of its model and engine specifications a challenge. The British Veteran Car Club members handbook lists the car as a 32hp, and separately mentions the car as being a 40hp owned by the late Dr. David K. Gast, a former Horseless Carriage Club of America President, based in La Mesa, California, suggesting that this is from whom it was acquired. It is thought to date from approximately 1910, since it was always listed in the collection as being of that year, and the attribution of 32hp, seems more likely, gauging it against other known 18hp models, which it is certainly larger than by comparison.
Of particular interest is its coachwork, which for the most part seemingly carries original paint finish and is of a very sporting tourer style with an accessory seat which was either fitted as a pillion to the running board or to the bustle back tail. It is unquestionably coachwork of some quality, most likely also of French build and matches the contour of the chassis, suggesting that it belongs to it. The running gear seems to have been stripped and refurbished to primer. All in all, this is a fascinating project, which with additional research as to its history and origins would likely provide an interesting provenance and make it a worthwhile journey of restoration.
Single Zenith Carburetor
32hp
3-Speed Manual
Front, Semi-Elliptic Leaf Spring, Rear, Three-Quarter Elliptic Leaf Spring
2-Wheel Drum Brakes
*Offered from the Two Generations Collection
*Rare Survivor of Luxury French Manufacturer
*Intriguing Project
† Sold In Situ - Noted lot is being sold in situ and preview is available Tuesday and Wednesday May 30th and 31st. To make arrangements to view the lots and for further information please contact [email protected].
Please refer to the Buyer Information page for further information.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
Based at Chemin-Feuillat in Lyon, Rochet-Schneider was one of Les Grands Marques of the Edwardian period in France. The firm was so called because it was initially run by the Rochets, father and son, together with Théophile Schneider, a member of the eponymous armaments manufacturing family. Originally bicycle manufacturers, Société Anonyme des Établissements Rochet-Schneider built its first automobile in 1894, and in 1901 at the Paris Salon exhibited two cars of Panhard configuration. However, by this time the most advanced type of car was the German Mercedes, so for 1903 the Lyonnaise cars were redesigned along Mercedes lines. From the introduction of that year's 20/22hp model, Rochet-Schneider's reputation as the builder of strong, fast cars grew rapidly, fully justifying the firm's description of its products as 'Les voitures de qualité'.
The Rochet-Schneider presented here lacks any chassis or engine plates, making deciphering of its model and engine specifications a challenge. The British Veteran Car Club members handbook lists the car as a 32hp, and separately mentions the car as being a 40hp owned by the late Dr. David K. Gast, a former Horseless Carriage Club of America President, based in La Mesa, California, suggesting that this is from whom it was acquired. It is thought to date from approximately 1910, since it was always listed in the collection as being of that year, and the attribution of 32hp, seems more likely, gauging it against other known 18hp models, which it is certainly larger than by comparison.
Of particular interest is its coachwork, which for the most part seemingly carries original paint finish and is of a very sporting tourer style with an accessory seat which was either fitted as a pillion to the running board or to the bustle back tail. It is unquestionably coachwork of some quality, most likely also of French build and matches the contour of the chassis, suggesting that it belongs to it. The running gear seems to have been stripped and refurbished to primer. All in all, this is a fascinating project, which with additional research as to its history and origins would likely provide an interesting provenance and make it a worthwhile journey of restoration.
Additional information
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