1905 Léon Bollée 45/50hp 8.3-Litre Double Chain Drive Roi-de-Belges Tourer

Young Léon Bollée followed his father Amédée into vehicle manufacture at a time when it was by no means certain whether steam power, electric power or the internal combustion engine would become the dominant motive power in the infant motor industry. Father Amedée had favoured steam however Léon saw the future in the internal combustion engine, building his first car at Le Mans in 1895. For this sporting lightweight machine Léon Bollée coined the word ‘voiturette’, a term which fell into common parlance for light cars. His tandem, two-seater tricycle was powered by a horizontally-mounted, air-cooled, single cylinder, 650cc engine rated at 3hp, adopting hot tube ignition and driving through three forward gears. The passenger sat ‘nearest the accident’. Bollée’s voiturette was quick, if not a little dangerous, and participated with some credit in 19th Century motor sport. No less a personage than the Hon. C S Rolls was to own and drive one of Bollée’s voiturettes. Bollée’s first four-wheeler was not a success, although he managed to sell the design rights to Darracq. Backed by the fabulously wealthy Vanderbilt dynasty, Léon Bollée upped his game in 1903, taking on the likes of Panhard-Levassor, Berliet and Rochet Schneider at the top end of the French motor industry. His new four wheel, four-cylinder motor cars were unashamedly expensive and built to the highest quality, aimed at the American market. The 24/28hp model displaced 4 litres while the top of the range 45/50hp cars boasted not less than 8.3 litres and final drive was by side chains – considered the most reliable in 1903. The 1.8:1 top gear ratio gave the 8.3 litre cars an impressive turn of speed and the Bollées were to earn an enviable reputation in endurance events and racing.

Descriptions & pictures by bonhams