Lot 126: De Dion Bouton 12/14hp

De Dion Bouton's Type BH of 1908 reflected the contemporary trend towards multi-cylinder engines and saw the Puteaux-based company moving away from its traditional but mightily successful single and twin-cylinder motor cars. De Dion Bouton had established an unrivalled reputation as manufacturers of highly efficient, fast-revving, single-cylinder engines and indeed derived a significant part of their income from supplying these engines to other manufacturers. The four-cylinder engine unit of the Type BH was a significant move forward, conventional in every respect, the cylinders being cast in pairs with side-valves and the engine displacing approximately 1.8 litres. This drove through a three-speed gearbox with final drive by shaft. Documentation with this car confirms that in 1959 it belonged to R F Twynham, a garage proprietor in Market Harborough, and it would appear the car was licenced that year. It was subsequently acquired by the Sharpe brothers at Rayleigh and more recently acquired for the Ward Brothers' Collection, prior to the final dispersal sale of the Sharpe Brothers' Collection. A dashboard plaque confirms original supply by De Dion Bouton (1907) Ltd of Marlborough Street, London W. This car has been officially dated by the Veteran Car Club and issued with Certificate No.93. It is now offered as an extremely viable restoration project, a replica body having been constructed some years ago to a particularly high standard but alas never finished. The vehicle is offered strictly as viewed and upon completion of the restoration will be a most practical V.C.C. rally car, with respectable performance and yet fitting comfortably on a manageable trailer for transporting to events. The De Dion Bouton marque is of course admirably catered for by the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain and various De Dion Bouton clubs in Europe. This undoubtedly rewarding project comes with an old buff log book from 1959 and Swansea V5 and V5C documents.