Lot details Registration No: UN-REG Chassis No: 2333 Mot Expiry: None
"The C.G.V. car is so associated with the great names in the social and financial worlds of Europe and America that it has become a hall-mark of prestige and social standing. There is nothing to compete with the C.G.V. in finish and style" (Country Life in America advertisement, 1907).
Founded by three former Panhard drivers Charron, Giradot and Voigt in 1901 (the most successful of whom Charron had won the Marseille-Nice and Paris-Amsterdam-Paris races of 1898 as well as the inaugural Gordon Bennett event of 1900), the C.G.V. marque was quick to make a name for itself in motorsport and passenger car design alike. Initially fielding models that owed much to their old employer, the trio developed one of the world's first straight-eight cylinder engines in 1903 (a fearsome 7.2 litre racing unit). Characterised by their distinctive 'open mouthed' visages (a legacy of their underslung front radiators), road-going C.G.V.s utilised sturdy flitch frames and supple leaf spring suspension. Abandoning automatic inlet valves in 1905, they embraced shaft drive transmission the following year (though the larger horsepower cars retained their chains).
Finished in green with black leather upholstery to the front, this rare surviving Open Drive Landaulette by Pingret, Guion et Breteau is described by the vendor as being very good with regard to its four-cylinder engine, four-speed transmission, chassis, paintwork, bodywork and wheels / tyres. Little is known of its history prior to 1982 when it was reputedly bought at Hershey as a 'barn find' by Bill Winslow of Chicago. Subsequently imported by Stephen Langton Limited in 1987, it has been in the current owner's possession since 1992. Since then, it has had its chassis restored by Peter Shaw, its engine rebuilt by David Harrison, its radiator refurbished by Mike Dolby, its wheels overhauled (including new beaded edge rims) by David Bysouth and its bodywork removed / repaired prior to repainting. Benefiting from new leatherwork to its wings, skirts and rear hood section, it has also had its window frames remade / reglazed. Thought to require "a comparatively small amount of work to complete i.e. advance / retard and hand throttle linkage, rear trim and UK registration", it is estimated to have cost £47,000 thus far "not including vehicle purchase". Only offered for sale due to a debilitating medical condition, its history file comprises: the import document, a list of work carried out by Peter Shaw / David Harrison (together with the latter's drawings) plus photos of the C.G.V as found and during restoration (mouse's nest in the sump etc).
PLEASE NOTE: We have not had this vehicle running.
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