c.1904 Peugeot 2½hp

Frame no. 5846 Engine no. 4588

Footnotes

• Rare 'La Belle Époque'-era Peugeot

• An older restoration

• Optional Truffault front fork

Formerly producers of tools, coffee mills, umbrella spikes and corsetry, Peugeot commenced its long-standing connection with transportation in the early 1880s when it added cycle manufacture to its portfolio. The world's oldest surviving motor manufacturer, the company commenced car production in 1889 with a steam-powered tricycle but soon abandoned steam in favour of the internal combustion engine.

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 bicycle 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.

Peugeot's first motorcycle – the 'Motobicyclette' – was introduced at the Paris Salon of 1901. Its 1½hp engine was supplied by the Swiss firm of Zürcher & Lüthi (also known as ZL or Zedel) and mounted on the front down-tube ahead of the pedals. Around 1903 Peugeot began manufacturing its own engines, which were mounted within the frame in the Werner position, 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. That same year, a team of five 3½hp Peugeots competed in the Paris-Madrid race. Truffault swinging-arm suspension was adopted on some Peugeot models for 1904, making them among the world's most advanced.

Dating from 1904 and equipped with the optional Truffault front fork, this Edwardian-era Peugeot is one of the first to feature the company's own engine. Displaying the 'PF' (Peugeot Frères) logo, it incorporates an automatic inlet valve and mechanically operated (side) exhaust valve, with lubrication by 'total loss', arrangements typical of the period. An older restoration, the machine also features a Longuemare carburettor, Herm. Remman Germania headlamp, wooden twistgrips, Selecta saddle, and a Hercule horn. Accompanying paperwork consists of a selection of photographs and a quantity of photocopied technical literature (in French).


• Rare Peugeot de « la Belle époque »

• Ancienne restauration

• Fourche avant Truffault optionnelle

Datant de 1904 et dotée de la fourche avant « élastique » Truffault en option, cette Peugeot du début des années 1900 est un des premiers modèles équipés d'un moteur maison. Portant l'écusson « PF » (Peugeot Frères), elle est dotée d'une soupape d'admission automatique et d 'une soupape d'échappement latérale commandée et d'un système de graissage à huile perdue, caractéristique de cette période. Anciennement restaurée, cette machine possède un carburateur Longuemare, un phare Herm. Remman Germania, des poignées en bois, une selle Selecta et une trompe Hercule. Elle est accompagnée d'une sélection de photographies et d'une documentation technique sous forme de nombreuses photocopies (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.