Registration No: SV 7317
Chassis No: 1WN011935
MOT: Exempt

• Fire engine coachwork, originally manufactured for use in factories, large estates, and chateaus in France
• Imported into the United Kingdom in 1998 and in previous ownership for over twenty-years
• Purchased by the vendor last year and fully recommissioned
• Surely a splendid addition to any collection!

The Marquis Jules-Albert de Dion was involved with the world of horseless carriages from as early as 1883 and his first internal combustion-engine offering was a diminutive tricycle powered by the company's new vertical single-cylinder engine, which was notable for revving at almost twice the speed of the contemporary Daimler unit. Pioneers in the French motor industry by the 1920s, 1923 saw a range of six models of car chassis under production. It was often common practice for light commercial coachwork to be applied to car chassis to allow supply to customers requiring commercial vehicles, such as the fire engine coachwork seen here.

Manufactured in 1925, the Fire Engine offered would have originally been manufactured for use in factories, large estates, or chateaus around France. Originally designed to tow a tender trailer with a pump engine, the De Dion-Bouton is powered by a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine allied to a four-speed manual transmission. Unfortunately, little is known of the Fire Engine’s history until it was imported into the United Kingdom in 1998 and purchased by the prior owner to the vendor in 2000, remaining in the previous custodianship for over twenty years.

Acquired by the vendor last year, the De Dion-Bouton was fully recommissioned, which included an engine refresh with replacement head gasket and valves, a new carburettor and fabricated exhaust manifold, partial re-wiring, and new tyres and battery. Also provided was a period ladder and hoses to complete the appearance. The fire engine is now said by the vendor to be running and driving well. Without wishing to pour cold water on the other lots, this one looks the most fun and would surely be a splendid addition to any collection!

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452