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We could say that the 1898 De Dion-Bouton quadricycle presented here is one of the foundational pieces in the history of the automobile. We are not talking about just another ancient vehicle in the Encamp museum; we are talking about one of the machines that, straddling a carriage and an “infernal…
We could say that the 1898 De Dion-Bouton quadricycle presented here is one of the foundational pieces in the history of the automobile. We are not talking about just another ancient vehicle in the Encamp museum; we are talking about one of the machines that, straddling a carriage and an “infernal contraption”—allow me this literary license to give the story a dramatic touch—would ultimately define what and how the modern car would eventually be.
Context is important, because at the end of the 19th century, there was still no clear automotive architecture. There were motorized tricycles, adapted carriages, steam engines, electric vehicles, and some internal combustion engines, all coexisting without a very clear direction—in fact, not clear at all! At that time, De Dion-Bouton was one of the most advanced companies in the world, for being innovative, visionary, and daring! So much so that by 1900, it was already one of the largest manufacturers on the planet.
Once again, when we talk about the pieces of automotive history housed in the Andorra Automobile Museum, we are referring to cars that stand out for their power, their beauty, both, or even much more, as is the case with the Peugeot 201 we are about to present. When I say “much more,” I mean that…
“Quan l’automòbil deixa enrere el carruatge”. Aquesta és la millor forma de començar el reportatge del Chenard & Walcker Type TT que trobareu exposat a la planta baixa del Museu Nacional de l’automòbil, doncs simbolitza precisament això ! Tot i que podríem dir que Chenard & Walcker va ser…
A principis del segle XX l’automòbil encara no era el producte industrial que coneixem avui. Cada vehicle era, com és el cas del Doriot Flandrin & Parant Type A que us presentem en aquest espai, una peça construïda gairebé de forma artesanal, fruit d’una combinació d’enginyeria, experimentació…
That said, let's get down to business. The 1898 quadricycle is directly derived from the brand's famous motorized tricycles. It was an extremely lightweight vehicle, with a construction still heavily influenced by the world of bicycles, but which, unknowingly, pointed towards future vehicles with four thin wheels, a very lightweight tubular chassis structure, simple steering, and a rear-mounted single-cylinder engine.
De Dion-Bouton's great revolution was not so much the vehicle itself, but the engine. They created a very lightweight single-cylinder internal combustion engine capable of rotating at extremely high RPMs for the era, a true technical marvel considering it was developed at the end of the 19th century.
It is worth noting that this engine, a single-cylinder of between 239 and 327 CC, with a power output of between 1.75 and 2.75 HP and a very rudimentary transmission, was copied (or manufactured under license) by more than 150 different brands.
All in all, the vehicle could reach a speed of close to 40 km/h, which at that time was an absolutely dizzying speed. And there's something fascinating here: today it would seem a rudimentary vehicle, but technically it was far more advanced than many rivals, because beyond the engine, the car had elements like coil-based electrical ignition, a differential, many surprisingly refined mechanical solutions, and a reliability far superior to the average vehicles of the time.
It is also important to understand that these vehicles were not “cars” in the current sense of the word. They were more a transition between a carriage, a bicycle, and even a motorcycle.
To give you an idea, most alternatives to the De Dion Bouton quadricycle didn’t even have a steering wheel. Some had a kind of vertical rudder-like control. In addition, the driving position was very strange, the brakes very limited, and the suspension practically symbolic. Driving one today would require a lot of practice because dynamically they are very delicate contraptions.
For all these reasons, from a historical and collector's point of view, an 1898 De Dion-Bouton has enormous value. Not only economic—which can be very high if it is original and documented like the one at the National Automobile Museum of Andorra—but also heritage.
Vehicles like this often participate in events such as the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, exclusively reserved for automobiles manufactured before 1905.
And there is another detail that is often overlooked and worth mentioning: beyond the importance of this vehicle, as a brand, De Dion-Bouton directly influenced brands such as Renault, Peugeot, and even Harley-Davidson, through its engines and technical solutions. Without their know-how, the history of motoring would probably have been different.
Enjoy the 1898 De Dion Bouton and the rest of the automotive gems of all time by visiting the National Automobile Museum of Andorra which you will find in the very center of Encamp.
Furthermore, if you want to see more exhibits like this one, from this other link you will directly access the blog section.
