1911 De Dion Bouton CQ Twin Cylinder ‘Dickey Seat’ Tourer
Registration No. DCZ1911
£28,500 GBP
The names of De Dion and Bouton are inextricably linked with the pioneering years of the motor car, initially in company with Trépardoux in the building of light steam carriages, the first of which appeared in 1883. In the early 1890s De Dion and Bouton turned their attention to the internal combustion engine, much to the annoyance of Trépardoux who quit in 1894, leaving his erstwhile partners to develop what was, in effect, the first high-speed internal combustion engine.
By that time he had already introduced what would become famous as the 'De Dion' axle design in which power is transmitted to the road wheels via universally jointed shafts from a final-drive unit attached rigidly to the chassis, while a tubular 'dead' axle accommodates both vehicle weight and wheel location.
Fast forward to 1911 and De Dion Bouton launched their Twin Cylinder CQ model. This was designed to spell the end of their single cylinder engine production. The CQ was available for a very reasonable 4800 Frances and it was clear that its intended role was to provide a vehicle that was an economic, small and easy to live with. The track was narrowed, chassis shortened and the engine power output was reduced. From 1911-1914 there was always a Twin Cylinder option available as part of De Dion Bouton’s offering.
The example shown here today is one of only 3 believed in existence today and was found in France in 1965 where it was purchased from the Henri Malartre establishment. The car was described as in complete but ‘garage soiled’ condition. Since this time the car stayed in the same ownership until 2010 where it appeared at a French auction, during this 50 year ownership the car underwent complete restoration to a high standard. Equally once the car was purchased by a prominent De Dion Bouton specialist in 2010, bills on file show expenditure of a further £18,000.
The car has an engine number showing 4081 and is fitted with a correct De Dion Bouton carburettor. Electric starting is also in place and functioning well. The engine ticks over nicely once warm and the presence of a hood, rear dickey seat and side screens mean this is a highly useable example. In fact, the car has covered long distance journeys in its previous ownership including the Paris - Vienna rally and a 3,000 Kilometre rally ‘Tour de France’.
