Lot details Registration No: BS 9515 Chassis No: 172BC72782 Mot Expiry: March 2006
Successor to the Ettore Bugatti designed Bebe, the Peugeot Quadrilette was introduced in 1918. Powered by a 668cc sidevalve four-cylinder engine, its rear mounted transaxle gave three forward speeds. Nimble and durable in equal measure, its leaf-sprung suspension (transverse front, quarter-elliptic rear) carried a wide variety of body styles. Forefather of the 172BC, it was updated in 1923 with a wider chassis. Although, Andre Citroen is often credited with being the first to recognise the importance of the rural market in France, Peugeot were not far behind. An obvious riposte to the double chevron's 'Normandie Camionette', the Lion's 'Charette Normande' was launched in 1924. Arguably more stylish than its rival, it featured a full length soft-top. Available in two sizes (the 172 BC variant being the smaller of the two), it was one of the world's first production woodies.
Finished in maroon over black, this particular example is reputed to be the last surviving 172 BC Charette Normande in existence. Said to bear close scrutiny to the factory photograph of an identical car shown on p.196 of Pierre Dumont's authoratitive 'Peugeot - sous le sign du lion', it is described by the vendor as being in good overall condition. Although, the wicker work side panels it originally carried have since been replaced with wooden panels, re-instating replica items within the existing steel frame should be a relatively straightforward process if so desired. As if to emphasise its dual role, the tailgate can be fixed in the dropped position thereby either extending the load bed or perhaps creating a makeshift bench seat. Ironically, given its raison d'etre, BS 9515 may never have actually been used on a farm. Supplied new in Paris, it was only recently discovered in a private German collection. Subsequently imported and UK registered, it is both taxed and tested. Offered for sale with a copy of the original 72 page 'owner's manual' (complete with exploded diagrams etc) and some paperwork relating to its history.
PLEASE NOTE: We have not had this vehicle running.
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