Classic Van Auction Talk

Wednesday 31 October 2018

C.1902 LIBERIA-DUPONT 12HP TWIN CYLINDER TWO/FOUR SEATER DETACHABLE TONNEAU - BONHAMS AUCTIONS THE LONDON TO BRIGHTON SALE Friday 2nd November 2018 New Bond Street, London


FEATURED AUCTION

BONHAMS AUCTIONS
THE LONDON TO BRIGHTON SALE
Friday 2nd November 2018
New Bond Street, London



C.1902 LIBERIA-DUPONT 12HP TWIN CYLINDER TWO/FOUR SEATER DETACHABLE TONNEAU
£ 120,000 - 140,000
€ 130,000 - 160,000
Coachwork by L. Barjou, St. Denis

Chassis no. 183

Engine no. 4885
*Recently discovered

*Timewarp condition 

*Believed to be one of only two survivors of its marque

*Potential preservation class entry


The turn of the nineteenth to the twentieth century has parallels to the internet boom around the millennium, only for the then buzzword of 'automobiles'. And nowhere more so than in France, where the industry propelled by the great exhibitions of 1889 and 1900 saw a huge number of existing engineering businesses transition from producing bicycles, armaments, farm machinery and the like into the production of self-propelled passenger vehicles. As that industry grew, likewise the suppliers of components to support it also grew, some specialising in the power source itself as well as building their own motorcars, such as De Dion Bouton and Panhard-Levassor, some in hardware such as axles and chassis frames, Lemoine and Lacoste et Battmann for example, while for others it was oilers, or bonnets and reservoirs.

One pioneering automobilist was Gustave Dupont, who, born in 1863 in Arras, France would have watched the burgeoning car industry grow up around him, particularly once he moved to Paris to study in the 1880s. From 1885, his base was Plessis-Trévise, wherein 1900 two dramatic changes in his life occurred, he was elected as the first Mayor of this commune, and secondly, he founded his own automobile manufacturing business, which he named Libéria, it is said referencing the liberation of the commune which had just happened. The company is known to have had 16 employees in 1900, skilled engineers and craftsmen who constructed these new cars, with for their day relatively modern steel tube chassis, front mounted engine and radiator with a water pump.

Dupont appears to have drawn on the above-mentioned local resources quite heavily, for propulsion he chose proprietary Aster units, initially offering a single cylinder 6.5hp model and then following this up with a larger two cylinder Aster powered model, which was rated at 12hp. The latter of which this is an example, carries a unit denoted as a Type 23K engine, and places separate cylinders on a common aluminium crankcase and is married to a 3-speed quadrant change gearbox which would also appear to be an 'off the shelf item'.

These cars, the epitome of the 'voiturette' genre are known to have been available and in active use by the spring of 1901, as they received commentary in contemporary press reports. They were also used competitively: a single Libéria is known to have contested the Paris-Bordeaux in May, by G. Lot who finished 26th of 95 runners, and three were present at the Paris-Berlin in June, though none completed the route.

At the Grand Palais in November 1901, Gustave proudly exhibited his wares, as depicted on these pages with an example of each of his models present. By June 1902, he would contest the Paris-Vienna as a driver for the first time. There as one of 138 entrants listed, a high attrition rate saw the field reduced to only 80 finishers, of which he was the 78th! But, it seems that Dupont's sincere wish to build a car of quality and also to campaign in these races challenged his ability to make them commercially successful, and as quickly as his star had shone, it began to fade, first losing his mayoral title, and then Libéria being declared in bankruptcy in August 1902.

Today, we believe that just two examples have survived of his brand, a single and a twin. The single reappeared from long-term ownership to run the London to Brighton in 2012, and this twin-cylinder car has recently emerged after decades in storage. Fortunately for us today, the extraordinarily well-preserved condition of this wonderful automobile provides us with great insight into the cars that he assembled.

Dupont's choice of coachwork for this car, proclaimed to have been built by Carrosserie L. Barjou is a versatile and beautifully sculpted tonneau, with curvature on almost all planes, multiple accent mouldings and the option of seating for four passengers, or alternatively two, each being snugly fit into bucket seats, for a more sporting configuration.

When viewed closely at areas of paint loss, it appears that the rich terracotta hue may be a second livery for the car, but of that, we cannot be sure. Certainly, its upholstery, which is almost entirely intact has the appearance of being original throughout. The Dupont Libèria has responded well to light recommissioning and is running, but we would suggest the sensible precaution of a thorough mechanical recommissioning prior to road use.

Sadly, the only aspect that alludes us today is its early history, but we do know that for the last 60 years or more, it has resided in just two ownerships, the last a private collection and the previous being the lesser known Museo dell'Automobile di San Martino in Rio, Italy. At some point it has been shod with solid tyres, rather than pneumatics which it would have had a new, most likely owing to a lack of availability of sourcing suitable spares at a particular juncture in its life.

The rewarding task of returning the car to the road, as well as chronicling the maker and history of the car will remain an opportunity for its next custodian. While it should be noted that the car has not been officially dated by the Veteran Car Club and that application is necessary for annual use on the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, the knowledge that Dupont appears to have ceased automobile production in 1902 would seem to make this process relatively straightforward.

In general terms, it is an incredibly charming 'timewarp' find which will no doubt garner attention wherever it goes. 



              
SELECTED BY:
IDRIS THE SQUIRREL
I'M NUTS ABOUT CLASSICS
Disclaimer:  Whilst Classic Chatter ("we") attempt to make sure that the information contained in this website is accurate and complete, we are aware that some errors and omissions may occur from time to time. We are not able, therefore, to guarantee the accuracy of that information and cannot accept liability for loss or damage arising from misleading information or for any reliance on which you may place on the information contained in this website. We highly recommend that you check the accuracy of the information supplied. If you have any queries with regard to any information on our website, please contact us at  jeff.classicchatter@mail.com


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1904 STAR 7hp TWIN-CYLINDER TWO-SEATER - BONHAMS AUCTIONS THE LONDON TO BRIGHTON SALE Friday 2nd November 2018 New Bond Street, London


FEATURED AUCTION

BONHAMS AUCTIONS
THE LONDON TO BRIGHTON SALE
Friday 2nd November 2018
New Bond Street, London



1904 STAR 7hp TWIN-CYLINDER TWO-SEATER
Registration no. LC 3578
Chassis no. 1064


*Rare British quality make
*Many-time London to Brighton participant
*Present ownership for circa 24 years
*Believed last used in 2001
*Recently started and run




    • One of Britain's top six motor manufacturers prior to World War One, the Wolverhampton-based Star Motor Company produced its first automobile in 1898. A close neighbour of Sunbeam, the company had been founded by Edward Lisle Sr, proprietor of the Star Cycle Company that would later build its own Starling cars under the guidance of his son, Edward Jr. Star's first automobile was a built-under-license Benz, though it was manufactured entirely in Wolverhampton, which remained in production into 1902. The basic Benz design was to influence car production for some 15 years from 1885 to 1900 until the arrival of the new SystèmePanhard and De Dion-Bouton's fast revving vertical engines sounded its death knell.



    Progressing from that first single-cylinder 3½hp Benz-based design, Star added twin-cylinder and four-cylinder cars to a diverse and expanding range of De Dion, Panhard, and Mercedes types. The first Panhard-type Star - a 1.1-litre, 7hp, twin-cylinder design - was introduced around 1900, and the 7hp model would continue to be a fixture of the range for the next seven or so years, though the bore, stroke, and cubic capacity changed on an almost yearly basis. Well specified and easy to use, these 7hp Stars were positioned towards the top end of the market, is priced at £320 - £20 cheaper than the equivalent Panhard but considerably more expensive than the comparable Darracq. Although technically un-adventurous in its early years, Star built up a deserved reputation for building luxuriously appointed and well-constructed cars, aided by the fact that it made most of its parts, chassis frames excepted, in-house.

    An example of Star's final 7hp model, this car is powered by a 1.4-litre Panhard-type twin-cylinder engine. The accompanying history file contains a V5 registration document and a copy VCC dating certificate (No. 1130) issued on 7th February 1968, noting a B&B carburettor and a replica body and mudguards as major modifications. It also contains records of the following London-Brighton Veteran Car Run entries: 

    1988 - Mrs. Edna Woollett
    1989 - Mrs. Edna Woollett (driver listed as B Hollamby)
    1990 - Martin Sargeant
    1991 - B R Hollamby
    1992 - Barry Bowyer
    1993 - Graham Hollamby

    It has been suggested that the vendor's late uncle purchased the car in 1994 and that it possibly last took part in the LBVCR in 2001 while in his ownership. Kept in storage since then, the Star has recently been started and run.






SELECTED BY:
IDRIS THE SQUIRREL
I'M NUTS ABOUT CLASSICS
Disclaimer:  Whilst Classic Chatter ("we") attempt to make sure that the information contained in this website is accurate and complete, we are aware that some errors and omissions may occur from time to time. We are not able, therefore, to guarantee the accuracy of that information and cannot accept liability for loss or damage arising from misleading information or for any reliance on which you may place on the information contained in this website. We highly recommend that you check the accuracy of the information supplied. If you have any queries with regard to any information on our website, please contact us at  jeff.classicchatter@mail.com


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1988 ALFA ROMEO SPIDER S3 QUADRIFOGLIO - ANGLIA CAR AUCTIONS Classic Car Sale SATURDAY 3rd NOVEMBER 2018 The Cattlemarket, Beveridge Way, King's Lynn PE30 4NB


FEATURED AUCTION
ANGLIA CAR AUCTIONS
Classic Car Sale
SATURDAY 3rd NOVEMBER 2018



1988 ALFA ROMEO SPIDER S3 QUADRIFoGLIO

  • Chassis number: ZARBC5702J1059278

This injection model was supplied new by Alfa Romeo dealers, Bobcor Motors of New Jersey, USA. Recently imported from Canada. UK registration is required. The vendor advises that all duties have been paid. It comes with import documentation, NOVA certificate, owner's handbook, original supplying dealer's warranty certificate, and wallet. Mileage recorded at 76,189.




SELECTED BY:
IDRIS THE SQUIRREL
I'M NUTS ABOUT CLASSICS
Disclaimer:  Whilst Classic Chatter ("we") attempt to make sure that the information contained in this website is accurate and complete, we are aware that some errors and omissions may occur from time to time. We are not able, therefore, to guarantee the accuracy of that information and cannot accept liability for loss or damage arising from misleading information or for any reliance on which you may place on the information contained in this website. We highly recommend that you check the accuracy of the information supplied. If you have any queries with regard to any information on our website, please contact us at  jeff.classicchatter@mail.com


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