1904 De Dion Bouton Type W 10HP Twin Cylinder Rear Entrance Tonneau
Registration No. H42
Engine No. 1312B
VCC Dating Certificate No. 130
Current Ownership 52 Years
£POA
The first indication in the British press that the De Dion Bouton company was preparing to produce a twin cylinder vehicle was a full-page advertisement in The Autocar on October 25, 1902. It announced that a 10hp car was to be produced, specifically with the British customers in mind, and orders were being taken. An article subsequently appeared in the French magazine, La Locomotion, in January 1903 and The Autocar magazine in February 1903, announcing the arrival of a new 10hp vehicle from the company.
The 10hp Type W model received Type Approval on September 10, 1903, barely four months after the Type S launch. The engine was mounted on a U-shaped tube that was attached to the cross member behind the front axle. The twin cylinder vehicles were designed to appeal to a very select but limited market. The cheapest English- bodied Type W vehicle was set at £465, which would increase once the extra items had been installed; a popular option was the tonneau with a detachable top, which had a price tag of £540.
This car is an extremely rare example of the 1904 Type W, featuring a 10HP power unit capable of reaching speeds of 40mph. The car presented here ‘H42’ was first owned by Lord St Oswald of Nostell Priory near Wakefield, Yorkshire. It is believed to have been the first motorcar to enter Wakefield. Lord Oswald died in 1919 and the car was retrieved by ‘Motor Wreckers’ of Leeds who fortunately kept the car until after World War. Letters in the file dated 1938 show that the car was taken from an outhouse at Nostell Priory, showing it was in the Oswald family for some 34 years from new. As found images are shown in the file.
The car’s next owners were based in Margaretting, Essex 1955, Studley, Warwickshire 1968 and this is where the current vendor then purchased the car in 1973. During the current ownership, ‘H42’ has taken part in more than 30 London to Brighton Runs, many VCC rallies, the John O’Groats to Lands end run and numerous European adventures. In fact, in the current 52 year ownership, H42 has travelled more than 50,000 miles, an incredible feat that is testament to the quality of this motorcar.
Tom Parrott is very proud to bring ‘H42’ to market for the first time in over 50 years. The car is presented beautifully with matching Ducellier headlamps and a beautiful aging to its bodywork and trim. The car starts freely and runs very well, capable of 40mph and taking 4/5 passengers.
