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Details
1908 DE DION BOUTON TYPE BG FOUR SEAT REAR ENTRANCE TONNEAU
EU Registered
Chassis No. 395
Engine No. 23244
Green and white with green leather upholstery
Engine: single cylinder, mechanical inlet and exhaust valves, 942cc, 8hp; Gearbox: 3 speed manual; Suspension: front and rear, semi-elliptic leaf springs; Brakes: rear two wheel drum. Right hand drive
By the time this Type BG De Dion Bouton was made, the company had been in the business of making motor vehicles for 25 years. Initial output was steam-powered, but from 1895 petrol engines were introduced and rapidly became dominant. Guided by the autocratic but far-sighted Marquis de Dion, ably assisted by the engineering genius of Georges Bouton, the firm not only made vehicles in quantity, but made them to the hightest standards and sold them to a public who appreciated they offered genuine value for money. Easy to manage and reliable single-cylinder cars were introduced before the turn of the century; twin-cylinder versions came on the scene in 1903 and fours were available by 1905. De Dion Boutons were exported world-wide and the firm's products enjoyed a reputation that was second to none.
For the 1908 season De Dion Bouton offered seven models, which consisted of short and long chassis 8hp, 12hp and 18hp variants together with a large 30 hp. The latter three chassis were all four cylinder designs, but the appeal of the De Dion origins was evident in that it continued to produce single cylinder models alongside these, and would do so until 1912.
The BG is the short chassis 8hp De Dion and this car can be considered as an archetypal example of the model, using rear entrance tonneau bodywork to accommodate its four passenger capacity comfortably within the modest 2 metre wheelbase. But by 1908 the De Dion clientele were rewarded with a more purposeful looking above chassis radiator and quadrant change for the three speed gearbox.
The early ownership history of the car is not known, but it is understood that it was ordered with the nickel fittings that it retains today as new. In the early 1990s the De Dion was discovered in tired, but remarkably complete and unspoilt order. This enabled a straightforward restoration to be commenced, and accounts for the fine detail and completeness of the car today, which includes features such as correct dashboard coil boxes, De Dion Bouton carburettor, and fully canopy hood.
An attractive Edwardian example of the marque, the car is reported to be 'a very strong runner' albeit with the limited braking power of any of its contemporaries. It would offer a charming entry for the growing number of events for these cars, such as the Pionierrit
Run by the Pioneer Automobielen Club or 'Creepy Crawly rally' run by the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain.
EU Registered
Chassis No. 395
Engine No. 23244
Green and white with green leather upholstery
Engine: single cylinder, mechanical inlet and exhaust valves, 942cc, 8hp; Gearbox: 3 speed manual; Suspension: front and rear, semi-elliptic leaf springs; Brakes: rear two wheel drum. Right hand drive
By the time this Type BG De Dion Bouton was made, the company had been in the business of making motor vehicles for 25 years. Initial output was steam-powered, but from 1895 petrol engines were introduced and rapidly became dominant. Guided by the autocratic but far-sighted Marquis de Dion, ably assisted by the engineering genius of Georges Bouton, the firm not only made vehicles in quantity, but made them to the hightest standards and sold them to a public who appreciated they offered genuine value for money. Easy to manage and reliable single-cylinder cars were introduced before the turn of the century; twin-cylinder versions came on the scene in 1903 and fours were available by 1905. De Dion Boutons were exported world-wide and the firm's products enjoyed a reputation that was second to none.
For the 1908 season De Dion Bouton offered seven models, which consisted of short and long chassis 8hp, 12hp and 18hp variants together with a large 30 hp. The latter three chassis were all four cylinder designs, but the appeal of the De Dion origins was evident in that it continued to produce single cylinder models alongside these, and would do so until 1912.
The BG is the short chassis 8hp De Dion and this car can be considered as an archetypal example of the model, using rear entrance tonneau bodywork to accommodate its four passenger capacity comfortably within the modest 2 metre wheelbase. But by 1908 the De Dion clientele were rewarded with a more purposeful looking above chassis radiator and quadrant change for the three speed gearbox.
The early ownership history of the car is not known, but it is understood that it was ordered with the nickel fittings that it retains today as new. In the early 1990s the De Dion was discovered in tired, but remarkably complete and unspoilt order. This enabled a straightforward restoration to be commenced, and accounts for the fine detail and completeness of the car today, which includes features such as correct dashboard coil boxes, De Dion Bouton carburettor, and fully canopy hood.
An attractive Edwardian example of the marque, the car is reported to be 'a very strong runner' albeit with the limited braking power of any of its contemporaries. It would offer a charming entry for the growing number of events for these cars, such as the Pionierrit
Run by the Pioneer Automobielen Club or 'Creepy Crawly rally' run by the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain.
Special notice
Christie's charges a Buyer's premium calculated at 20.825% of the hammer price for each lot with a value up to €110,000. If the hammer price of a lot exceeds €110,000 then the premium for the lot is calculated at 20.825% of the first €110,000 plus 11.9% of any amount in excess of €110,000. Buyer's Premium is calculated on this basis for each lot individually