1902 De Dion Bouton 6hp Model J Rear-Entrance Tonneau

•Delivered new to Australia
•Restored in Australia circa 2008/2009
•Maintained by N P Veteran Engineering (bills available)
•Engine professionally rebuilt in 2021
•Many-time London-to-Brighton Run participant

This pretty four-seater single-cylinder De Dion Bouton comes with its VCC Dating Committee report, revealing that it was purchased directly from Paris by its Australian owner, Hugh Lennon of Spotswood Farm Implements Manufacture, arriving in Australia in 1904. The car was purchased for the use of his wife. The swing tonneau body is unusual for a De Dion Bouton but it was already on the chassis when it arrived in Australia.

The VCC's report states: "It is believed that it was equipped with the same body that it currently has, which was a specific body style introduced for the Paris Salon in December 1901. Following a period of use, it was involved in an accident... which damaged the gearbox, mudguards and radiator, side steps and rear step. As a result, it was stored for forty years before being purchased by Rod McMullin, who continued to store it, until the 1990s when the restoration was undertaken."

Taking some four years to complete, Mr McMullin's restoration was finished circa 2008/2009, and full details of the rebuild are on file together with work-in-progress photographs (perusal recommended). The restored car was imported into the UK in 2012 and has belonged to the current owner since then. Also on file are bills dating from 2013-2021, issued by N P Veteran Engineering for various works including a new scuttle board; new water and fuel tanks; design and fit new dyno-starter; and an engine strip and rebuild all at a total cost exceeding £30,000.

According to the VCC: "The vehicle has been comprehensively restored, during which the leather upholstery was replaced (over the original horsehair base) and replacement steps manufactured for side and rear access. The brass hubcaps are non-original. It is considered that the gearbox is a replacement for the original device, possibly damaged in the reported accident. The radiator is a 1903-pattern De Dion item. The 1901 illustrations in French motoring magazines indicate that the Type J vehicles was (sic) equipped with wire wheels... in the same way that the earlier voiturettes were. From the beginning of 1902, all illustrations of front-engined De Dion vehicles are without wire wheels, and it is considered likely that all production models had the design of wheels currently on this vehicle."

Since its acquisition by our vendor the De Dion has participated in numerous Brighton Runs, though it has not been used for the last few years. Accompanying documentation includes a VCC Vehicle Identification and Dating Certificate and small history file from the previous Australian owner.