c. 1901 Clément Type C Voiturette

Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris|6 February 2025, 14:00 CET|Paris, The Grand Palais Historique

c. 1901 Clément Type C Voiturette
Chassis no. 733

"This car is the small version of our light cars, of graceful appearance, it can render the greatest services to people who do not want to exceed a certain purchase price". - Clément catalogue, 1902.

Already a successful maker of bicycles and pneumatic tyres – he owned the Dunlop patents in France - Adolphe Clément diversified into automobile manufacture, taking an interest in the existing Gladiator concern. Rear-engined tricycles and quadricycles were made at the Gladiator works in Levallois-sur-Seine before Clément began building a conventional front-engined light car around 1901. Clément's early vehicles were powered by Aster, Panhard and De Dion engines, all three makes being at the forefront of automobile development. With its water-cooled single-cylinder engine, two-speed Cardan shaft transmission, and Dunlop clincher tyres, the Clément was one of the more advanced designs of its day.

There is nothing known of the history of this lot, and it does not appear to be VCC dated. As such, prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to this vehicle's originality, correctness and mechanical condition prior to bidding and to giving it a new lease of life at classic events.

Footnotes

Circa 1901 Clément Type C voiturette
Châssis n° 733

« Cette voiture est la version réduite de nos voitures légères, d'aspect gracieux, elle peut rendre les plus grands services aux personnes qui ne veulent pas dépasser un certain prix d'achat ». – catalogue Clément, 1902.

Constructeur de cycle et de pneumatiques renommé – il détenait les brevets Dunlop pour la France – Adolphe Clément se diversifia dans la construction automobile en 1899 en prenant des parts dans la marque Gladiator. Les tricycles et quadricycles à moteur arrière étaient construits à l'usine Gladiator de Levallois, avant que Clément ne commence à produire des voitures légères conventionnelles à moteur avant vers 1901. Les premiers modèles de Clément étaient animés par des moteurs Aster, Panhard et De Dion, les trois marques étant à l'avant-garde du progrès automobile. Avec son moteur monocylindre refroidi par eau, sa transmission par cardan à deux vitesses et ses pneus Dunlop dernier cri, la Clément était l'un des concepts les plus en avance de son temps.

On ne sait rien de l'histoire de cette voiturette et elle n'a pas été datée par le VCC (Veteran Car Club). Les éventuels acheteurs devront donc se contenter d'apprécier l'originalité, la conformité et l'état mécanique du véhicule avant d'enchérir et de lui offrir un second souffle lors d'évènements classiques.

Saleroom notices

Please note this car is offered without any registration document. Merci de noter que cette voiture est offerte à la vente sans titre d'immatriculation.

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