Details
1901 DE DION BOUTON VIS-A-VIS MODEL B1
Serial No. 13
Motor No. 2191
Green with black leather seats
Engine: single cylinder, F-head, 3½hp, 393.2cc; Gearbox: two speed; Brakes: drum bakes on rear wheels; Suspension: front, platform, rear, three quarter elliptical.
The De Dion Company was the first automobile company to produce a motor car on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean - Paris, France and Brooklyn, New York. This particular De Dion was the thirteenth car made in the New York factory. The company was formed through the collaboration of wealthy aristocrat, the Compte Albert De Dion and a talented engineer, Georges Bouton. The latter's most important contribution to early automobile development was the introduction of the high speed engine developing a lot of power for its size, and using coil ignition with a mechanically operated contact breaker . At first they were installed in motor tricycles, then in quadricycles - not only in the firm's own vehicles, but also in those of many other concerns. Voiturettes followed in 1899, powered by a single cylinder 3½hp engine centrally mounted in a tubular steel frame. Shortly afterwards, the petrol car incorporated De Dion's second remarkable feature, the now-famous De Dion axle principle. The engine drove to the wheels through a two speed gearbox and universally jointed shafts. Because the axle was attached to the springs, the final drive was not called upon to bear the weight of the car and the axle could move in relation to the frame without recourse to chain drive.
This car was purchased for the museum with funds donated by Liston Zander from Harrah's Automobile Collection. It is in fair overall condition and is said to be in running order. The museum often used it in parades. It has an older restoration.
Serial No. 13
Motor No. 2191
Green with black leather seats
Engine: single cylinder, F-head, 3½hp, 393.2cc; Gearbox: two speed; Brakes: drum bakes on rear wheels; Suspension: front, platform, rear, three quarter elliptical.
The De Dion Company was the first automobile company to produce a motor car on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean - Paris, France and Brooklyn, New York. This particular De Dion was the thirteenth car made in the New York factory. The company was formed through the collaboration of wealthy aristocrat, the Compte Albert De Dion and a talented engineer, Georges Bouton. The latter's most important contribution to early automobile development was the introduction of the high speed engine developing a lot of power for its size, and using coil ignition with a mechanically operated contact breaker . At first they were installed in motor tricycles, then in quadricycles - not only in the firm's own vehicles, but also in those of many other concerns. Voiturettes followed in 1899, powered by a single cylinder 3½hp engine centrally mounted in a tubular steel frame. Shortly afterwards, the petrol car incorporated De Dion's second remarkable feature, the now-famous De Dion axle principle. The engine drove to the wheels through a two speed gearbox and universally jointed shafts. Because the axle was attached to the springs, the final drive was not called upon to bear the weight of the car and the axle could move in relation to the frame without recourse to chain drive.
This car was purchased for the museum with funds donated by Liston Zander from Harrah's Automobile Collection. It is in fair overall condition and is said to be in running order. The museum often used it in parades. It has an older restoration.