French registration papers (as a historic vehicle)

- Very attractive appearance
- Fully restored
- Original instruction manual

The mere mention of the names de Dion and Bouton is inseparable from that elite group of pioneers who, in their modest workshops in the Paris suburbs, quite simply created the modern car at the end of the 19th century. De Dion’s success was, of course, tied to that of his associate, the great engineer Bouton, who joined the marquis in his venture in 1905. Together, they filed many patents, invented the type of rear suspension with universal joints at both wheel hubs, the V8 engine – adopted by American car makers one after the other – and rack-and-pinion steering in 1887!
The de Dion factories in Puteaux were renowned throughout the world for the excellent single-cylinder engines they produced, followed by the twin and remarkable four-cylinder engines from the 1910s.
Immediately after the armistice in 1918, the manufacturer converted its factories to build its eight-cylinder cars, the 18, 15, 12 and 10 hp models. It modernised their styling with the adoption of the rounded V-shaped radiator which became the hallmark of the firm.
The 10 hp model was the company’s bestseller in 1927 and, incidentally, the personal car used by the Marquis de Dion until 1946 to drive down the Champs-Elysées every day in the company of his faithful chauffeur.

The car which we are offering for sale is a 10 hp model of the IW type dating from 1927. It is a rare ‘limousine coupé’ model with a fold-down hood to the rear. As such, it is fitted with the 4-cylinder pushrod engine (72 x 120 mm). The car is complete and presents well, having been fully restored a few years ago. Its former owner, a collector from the Landes ‘département’, modified the car by updating the braking system and steering rack. The paintwork is in very good condition, as are the upholstery and woodwork, which has clearly been completely refurbished. The hood is also in very good shape, without any holes or tears. The last safety inspection certificate is from 2011. Since then, the car has seen little use and has been stored in dry conditions, out of direct light.

The seller has included with the car some rare period documentation for the de Dion marque, including the original instruction manual for the car.