1901 H.RUDEAUX light car (Darracq license) - Lot 50

Lot 50
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Estimation :
40000 - 60000 EUR
Result with fees
Result : 42 600EUR
1901 H.RUDEAUX light car (Darracq license) - Lot 50
1901 H.RUDEAUX light car (Darracq license) N° 752 To be registered as a collector's item Alexandre Darracq was born in Bordeaux in 1855. After working for sewing-machine manufacturer Hurtu, among others, he founded the Gladiator bicycle company in 1891. He made his fortune by selling his company to the British in 1896. By contract, he could no longer manufacture bicycles. He then founded Perfecta, a company specializing in the manufacture and sale of spare parts for bicycle manufacturers. The burgeoning automobile boom attracted Darracq's interest. He began producing tricycles and quadricycles equipped, like most of his competitors, with a De Dion Bouton engine. After an unsuccessful attempt to produce a buggy under license in 1900, and with enormous capital at his disposal, he presented his own buggy at the Paris Motor Show in January 1901. Classically equipped with a tubular chassis, a rigid axle and bridge, suspension is provided by four semi-elliptical springs. The engine is a single-cylinder Perfecta with battery-coil ignition and carburetor feed. Cooling is by radiator and water pump. The clutch is a modern design to make driving easier, and the gearshift lever is under the steering wheel. This model, the 6.5 HP, was a huge success, with around 1,500 or 2,000 units produced, depending on the source. Maison Darracq built up an excellent reputation and became a truly great carmaker with this model. In addition, it was possible, for example, to replace the wire wheels with wooden ones. Reliable and durable, Darracqs were, like the De Dion Bouton, important buggies of the period. The model shown has a longer hood than the very first model, so it's the second version. Under the hood is the Perfecta engine with carburetor. The radiator is present, as is the water tank. The fuel and oil tanks are located on the firewall. The clutch is not original, but more modern. The steering is tilted and there are two pedals, one for the brake and the other for the clutch. The other controls are grouped under the steering wheel. The bodywork is by A. Védrine et Cie, coachbuilder in Courbevoie. The upholstery was restored 50 years ago. This car is of course eligible for the various rallies reserved for automobiles from the first period, from the origins to 12/31/1904, such as the London to Brighton Veteran Car run or the Tour du Léman. This pretty car is to be put back on the road for a forthcoming Rallye des Ancêtres in Compiègne organized by the Club des Teuf Teuf. 1901 H.RUDEAUX light car (Darracq license) No. 752 To be registered as a collector's item. €40,000 / €60,000 Alexandre Darracq was born in Bordeaux in 1855. After working for various companies, including sewing machine manufacturer Hurtu, he founded the Gladiator bicycle company in 1891. He made his fortune by selling his company to the English in 1896. Under the terms of the contract, he was no longer allowed to manufacture bicycles. He then founded Perfecta, a company specializing in the manufacture and sale of spare parts for bicycle manufacturers and assemblers. Darracq became interested in the rise of the automobile. He began producing tricycles and quadricycles equipped, like most of his competitors, with a De Dion Bouton engine. After an unsuccessful attempt to produce a small car under licence in 1900, and with enormous capital at his disposal, he presented his own small car at the Paris Motor Show in January 1901. It was classically equipped with a tubular chassis, a rigid axle and bridge, and suspension provided by four semi-elliptical springs. The engine was a Perfecta single cylinder with battery and coil ignition and carburettor fuel supply. Cooling was provided by a radiator and a water pump. The clutch was modern to make driving easier, and the gear lever was located under the steering wheel. This model, the 6.5 HP, was a huge success, with around 1,500 to 2,000 units sold, depending on the source. Darracq built an excellent reputation and became a major car manufacturer with this model. In addition, it was possible, for example, to replace the wire wheels with wooden wheels. Reliable and durable, Darracq cars were, like De Dion Boutons, the most important small cars of the era. The model shown here has a longer bonnet than the very first model, so it is the second version. Under the bonnet is the Perfecta engine and carburettor. The radiator and water tank are also present. The petrol and oil tanks are located on the fire wall. The clutch is not original but more modern. The steering is tilted and there are two pedals, one for the brake and the other for the clutch, with the other controls grouped under the steering wheel. Th
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