c.1911 Peugeot Lightweight 332cc (2½hp) V-Twin

Frame no. 17010 Engine no. 25673

Footnotes

• Rare Veteran-era Peugeot v-twin

• Direct belt drive

• Optional Truffault front fork

Formerly producers of tools, coffee mills, umbrella spikes and corsetry, Peugeot commenced its long-standing connection with transportation in 1885 when it added cycle manufacture to its portfolio. The second oldest motor manufacturer in the world, the company commenced car production in 1889 with a steam-powered tri-car but soon abandoned steam in favour of the internal combustion engine, building a succession of ever larger automobiles before introducing the first of its famous Bébé light cars in 1900.

Also one of the pioneering firms of the French motorcycle industry, Peugeot followed the familiar progression: first adding proprietary clip-on engines to its bicycles before building complete machines of its own manufacture. The first Peugeot was manufactured in 1882; at this time the firm was known as Peugeot Frères but, as more family members joined, changed its name to Les Fils de Peugeot Frères in 1889. In 1902 Peugeot adopted the Werner brothers' layout for a motorcycle, which placed the engine between the two wheels, thus improving weight distribution and handling, though assistance for the engine by means of bicycle pedals would remain a feature for some years to come. Truffault swing-arm suspension was adopted on some Peugeot models for 1904, making them among the world's most advanced.

Having hitherto relied on proprietary power units, the firm introduced its own v-twin engine in 1906. Using one of these Peugeot motors, Norton-mounted Rem Fowler won the inaugural Isle of Man TT race in 1907, and the French make featured prominently in the first ever motorcycle race to be held at Brooklands, when on Easter Monday 1908, a brace of Peugeot-powered NLGs finished 1st and 2nd.

The works Peugeots were a dominant force in motorcycle racing in the years immediately before and after WWI, thanks to a succession of innovative overhead-camshaft designs by Jean Antoinescu. A wide range of machines was manufactured between the wars, but after WW2 the firm concentrated mainly on the manufacture of two-stroke lightweights, mopeds and, following the Italian lead, scooters.

Dating from around 1911, this Veteran-era Peugeot features direct belt drive, magneto ignition, V-block rear brake, leather tool box, and a kerosene headlight, and has the optional Truffault leading-link front fork. The front mudguard carries a plaque that reads: 'Cycles et Motos LA Longine'. An older restoration, the machine is offered with a bill of sale dated 20.8.85, a selection of photographs, and a substantial quantity of photocopied technical and historical literature (mostly in French).


• Rare Peugeot V-twin de l'époque Vétérans

• Transmission à courroie directe

• Fourche avant Truffault optionnelle

Produite aux alentours de 1911, cette très ancienne Peugeot se caractérise par sa transmission à courroie, son allumage par magnéto, ses deux cylindres en V, son frein arrière, sa sacoche d'outillage en cuir et son phare à pétrole ainsi que par sa fourche avant Truffault à roue poussée. Le garde-boue avant porte une plaque mentionnant « Cycles et Motos La Longine ».Anciennement restaurée, cette machine est offerte avec une facture de vente datée du 20/08/85, une sélection de photos et un important dossier de littérature technique et historique (la plupart en français).


It should be noted that these vehicles have either been on display in the museum or kept in store since Peter and Ulrike passed away. Their present mechanical condition is not known; accordingly, perspective bidders must satisfy themselves with regards to their condition, completeness, correctness, or otherwise prior to bidding.

On notera que depuis le décès de Peter et d'Ulrike ces véhicules ont été maintenus en exposition dans le musée ou entreposés. L'état actuel réel des mécaniques est inconnu et les éventuels acquéreurs devront s'assurer par eux-mêmes de la condition, de l'intégrité, de l'authenticité et autres points relatifs à la qualité des machines avant de porter leurs enchères.