1908 Chenard et Walcker 8CV Type T Runabout

1908 Chenard et Walcker 8CV Type T Runabout

Winners of the very first Le Mans 24-Hour Race of 1923, Chenard Walcker (Chenard et Walcker after 1906) was founded in Asnières, Seine in the late 1890s, initially making De Dion-style tricycles before moving on to car manufacture in 1900. Chenard Walcker's first four-wheeler was powered by a twin-cylinder engine of the company's own design, which drove the rear wheels via an unusual double axle, an arrangement that lasted into the 1920s. Marine engines were added to the firm's portfolio and in 1905 Chenard Walcker produced 400 cars, becoming a Société Anonyme (public company) in March 1906 and moving to a new factory at Gennevilliers. The company grew, partly thanks to a substantial order for Paris taxis, and by 1914 had risen to become France's ninth largest motor manufacturer. Chassis made from reinforced wood were used up to 1907 when steel was adopted, and from 1906 onwards four-cylinder models predominated. Chenard et Walcker favoured sidevalve engines of 'T'-head layout up to 1910, after which they were phased out in favour of the more efficient 'L'-head type.

Dating from Chenard et Walcker's first decade as a motor manufacturer, this 8CV Type T model is powered by an inline four-cylinder engine displacing 1,525cc. The latter drives via a four-speeds-plus-reverse gearbox, while other noteworthy features include cable-operated rear drum brakes, acetylene lighting and two-pedal control: an accelerator on the right and a combined clutch brake on the left. Depressing the latter halfway disengages the clutch; pressing it to the floor operates the brakes, its maximum speed being around 90km/h (approximately 56mph).56mph).

Descriptions & pictures by bonhams & wikimedia & flickr