1902 Bolide - Lot 51

Lot 51
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Estimation :
30000 - 40000 EUR
Result with fees
Result : 28 000EUR
1902 Bolide - Lot 51
1902 Bolide No reserve Serial number: 1649 Carte grise de collection ● A true pioneer of the French automobile ● A living testimony to the Belle Époque At the very end of the 19th century, when the automobile was still in its infancy, a handful of daring manufacturers embarked on a mechanical adventure. One of them, Léon Lefebvre, an engineer based in Pantin, founded Lefebvre Cie in 1899, which soon became Cycles Moteurs Bolide, a name inspired by an imagination already turned towards speed and modernity. The model offered for sale is a Bolide from 1902, a fascinating witness to the origins of the automobile. Designed in a context of constant experimentation, this car embodies the craftsmanship of the first French manufacturers. Acquired as a chassis in 1992 by a major French collector, it was entirely rebuilt over a period of more than twenty years, with the addition of a compliant twin-cylinder engine and a competition-inspired body. In 2013, it was sold to another ancestor-lover, who completed the work begun twenty years earlier. Surprisingly well-preserved, this Bolide is one of the brand's very few surviving examples. It embodies the understated elegance of Belle Époque vehicles, and would be an ideal addition to any museum, private collection or veteran motoring event such as the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. It will be a welcome addition to a forthcoming Rallye des Ancêtres in Compiègne organized by the Club des Teuf Teuf. The Bolide 1902 we're presenting today doesn't just tell a story: it's a tangible fragment of it. Both a heritage object and a technical feat, it is a perfect illustration of the birth of modern mobility. All it needs is to find its rightful place in its new owner's home. 1902 Bolide Serial number: 1649 Collection registration document ● A true pioneer of the French automobile ● A living testament to the Belle Époque ● Ex-Choplin collection At the very end of the 19th century, while the automobile was still in its infancy, a handful of daring manufacturers embarked on the mechanical adventure. Among them, Léon Lefebvre, an engineer based in Pantin, founded the company Lefebvre Cie in 1899, which quickly became Cycles Moteurs Bolide, a name inspired by an imagery already focused on speed and modernity. The model offered for sale is a 1902 Bolide, a fascinating testament to the origins of the automobile. Designed in a context of constant experimentation, this car embodies the artisanal expertise of the first French manufacturers. Acquired as a chassis in 1992 by Jean Michel Choplin, it was completely rebuilt during a project that spanned more than twenty years. It received a matching twin-cylinder engine and a racing-inspired body was rebuilt. In 2013, it was sold to another vintage car enthusiast, who completed the project begun twenty years earlier. This astonishingly well-preserved Bolide is one of the very few surviving examples of the brand. It embodies the understated elegance of Belle Époque vehicles and would be a welcome addition to a museum, a private collection, or at events dedicated to automotive veterans such as the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. It would be a welcome addition to an upcoming Rallye des Ancêtres in Compiègne, organized by the Club des Teuf Teuf. The 1902 Bolide we are presenting today doesn't just tell a story: it is a tangible fragment of it. Both a heritage object and a technical feat, it perfectly illustrates the birth of modern mobility. It is just waiting to regain its place as a brand in the home of its new owner.
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