1899 Clement De Dion 2 Seat Voiturette

Lot details
Registration No: UN-REG
Chassis No: 56
Mot Expiry: None

We are very pleased to be auctioning this nineteenth century French Veteran, the Clement de Dion, a Type C built in 1899 with really early chassis number 56. Although cosmetically still appearing to be largely original, the 2 3/4 hp single-cylinder De Dion motor number 15058 and two-speed gearbox are claimed to be working.
Being so early and therefore incredibly rare, the paperwork indicates the two-seater voiturette is similar to the 1898 Clement in the Schlumpf Museum and to another example of the same marque and vintage in the H Malartre Collection.
Apart from still carrying the original Adophe Clement constructor's brass plate with both chassis and engine numbers displayed as indicated above, the original 24 E5 registration plate of 1899 is still present, although following acquisition by a Monsieur Raizon at the beginning of the 1950s, Clement number 56 was re-registered with the 901 GG 75 identity as confirmed in the immatriculation paperwork dated 6 September 1957.
Much detailed history from the mid-twentieth century is contained in a copy of a letter from Andre Raizon's widow from whom we learn that the Clement joined her husband's collection from previous ownership in Levallois still in original and unrestored condition. Madame Raizon reports that, as a result of having not been driven for years, certain parts had seized, so all mechanical parts were dismantled and overhauled on the kitchen table of the family flat above their Boulogne bookshop.
Interestingly, too, much technical advice and assistance during the De Dion engine rebuild came from Monsieur Zelele, chauffeur to the Marquis de Dion, and a local garage proprietor living in the building.
Not having the relevant documentation to enable him to drive the car when the work had been completed with the first 24 E5 plates displayed, Raizon initially borrowed the 3559 CZ75 registration from another vehicle, a De Dion 8CV (period photos on file record these plates in place when the Clement was taken on various family outings), before carrying out the 1957 re-registration already described.
During the 1960s, the Raizon car was well preserved thanks to being exhibited in the Autorama de la Grange Museum at Yerres. Following the Museum's closure in 1975, it was then kept in the by then Raizon family home garage at Vergere, near Nimes, until finally sold, after more than fifty years, to Parisian Monsieur J E Chamboult in November 2003.
Madame Raizon, and her children, Frederic and Dominique, who can be seen in period photos on file enjoying the motor car, writes that they retain very happy memories of their times with their Clement. She writes that, even after her husband had passed away in 1990, it was because the family had become so attached to the old car that they took so long before letting her go!
Supplied are a copy of the original manual, several magazine articles from 1975 and 1976, a claimed to be original Clement colour poster, the letter from the Raizon widow and another from the curator of the Schlumpf Museum at Mulhouse as well as those period photos.
Today is your chance to write the next chapter of the one hundred and five years of history so far of this French charmer, which should be eligible for the very full calendar of VCC events that cater for the Veteran vehicle owner and should therefore enable the buyer to take to the Brighton Road every November on the great Run.
PLEASE NOTE: We have not had this vehicle running.