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Auction Location:
Melbourne
Date:
2-Dec-2007
Lot No.
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Description:
c1910 Lion Peugeot 8hp Two Seat Phaeton. Chassis .no. 4211. Engine no. TBC. Reg no. unregistered . When the Peugeot founded by Armand Peugeot dropped the Bebe model in 1905 Armand's nephew Robert founded 'Les Fils de Peugeot freres' (the sons of the brothers Peugeot) and started to construct motor cars at the Peugeot factory in Beaulieu. In the early years of Peugeot production the company had many trademark emblems including the Lion, Giraffe and Elephant, but for Robert's company the Lion was chosen as a symbol of superior quality and it is still the Lion that adorns the front of Peugeots to this day. The company started with the production of single cylinder voiturettes, with which they won the Coupes des Voiturette in 1909 further boosting sales and establishing the company as a key player in the small capacity motor car market of the period. Between 1906 and 1915 7,800 Lion Peugeots where produced and offered with various engines and body styles. In 1910 a total of 980 Lion Peugeots were made. Powered by a twin cylinder 8hp 1325cc engine that drove the wheels through a 3 speed chain driven final drive to the rear axle the type designated 'V2C2' proved the most popular with a production run of 680 in 1910 alone. . A letter from Peugeot to Malcolm Jeal dated the 21st July 2003 confirms that this car, number 4211, was initially sent to Rouen and left the Peugeot works on the 6th September 1910. It is a type V2C2 and was originally supplied with 4 seat Double Phaeton coachwork. The chassis numbers for V2C2s ranged between 3214 -4328 and 4211 falls comfortably within these numbers. Sadly the information from Peugeot is all that is available concerning the car's very early history. By reading correspondence one can ascertain that in February of 1957 the car was owned by a Dr K.J. Shepherds of Middle Brighton. Between November 1957 and April 1958 A Mr. Hedges purchased the car, less body and rear axle, from T.T. Noye of Geelong. Subsequently a correct type rear axle was found and a simple form of roadster body built on the chassis of a style quite common prior to 1914 and the Peugeot was re-registered for use in South Australia. Mr Hedges then moved to Larpent,Victoria and registered the car there until February 1974. Correspondence between DC Field, the Dating and Research historian for the VCC between 1957 and 1976, and Mr Hedges are included in the substantial paperwork file offered with the car. Purchased by the current vendor in 2003 the car has undergone a complete restoration by Barry Shinfield of Galston to an extremely high standard. The body that had been fitted in the 1950s was, perhaps fortunately, completely wrecked and was disposed of. New two seat Phaeton coachwork has been constructed which is sympathetically detailed and far more in keeping with the period. It was not known at the time of constructing the new body that the original coachwork was of the Double Phaeton type, but the coachwork fitted certainly complements the car and is of a type found on the V2C2 chassis. This Peugeot is a delightful example and has proven most reliable when used in Veteran Car Club of Victoria events. Offered for sale with a photographic record of the restoration, an original 'Saison 1908 - 1909' sales brochure, a file of paperwork pertaining to Lion Peugeots (including correspondence from Malcolm Jeal),two owners handbooks (re-bound) and a comprehensive file of bills and invoices from Barry Shinfield. It is offered for sale due to the owner's preference for more technically advanced cars from the vintage period that are supplied with such modern technology as electric starter motors, four speed gearboxes and front wheel brakes! Peugeot are one of the oldest and most highly respected motor car manufacturers in existence and are still going strong to this day. To this end, early examples of the marque are an important and tangible link to our motoring history and are highly sought after for the museums and motor houses of the worl
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Unclassified