Twelve Cylinders... Voisin... That sounds really gorgeous! And there is the very special opportunity at the Stanislas Machoir Auction on June, 28th to let this dream come true.
Gabriel Voisin started his 12-Cylinder adventures in 1920, building two prototypes with an 7238cc engine. But those cars were so over the top, that production would have been much to expensive. After the big success with small and big four cylinder and the famous six cylinder engines, a new try was made in 1929. At first with the record car, powered by a mighty 11.660 cc V12, made of two C16 blocks and finally on the stand of the Paris-Salon, the new Model C18 was introduced. It was fitted with a 3,900 cc unit, which was soon replaced by a 4885 cc version. The chassis was the C12/C16 one and the factory bodies were also the same, as the ones of the six cylinder cars. You had the choice of four bodystyles (5-seater saloon "Chevauchée", 2/3 seat coupé "Chatelaine", 6-seater long wheelbase saloon "Chevreuse" and 7-seater limousine "Caravane") and for external bodies, the bare chassis named "Diane" could be ordered. Later, the standard saloon gained two extra seats the coupé was dropped and a 7-seater coupé-limousine "Chevance" was presented in 1931. The underslung verion was the C20 and the sole survivor fascinates till today. It was by the way the first "real" Voisin I ever saw. The last 12 cylinder Voisin was the myserious V12L, which was not a V12, but a 12 cylinder with two coupled six cylinder engines mounted in line. The C18 offered at Stanislav Malchior is one of only three Voisin V12 known to have survived (plus the Voisin V12 engined Bucciali TAV12), so it is a really rare opportunity. The other surviving V12 are one more C18, that is still part of the royal stable of Thailand and the already mentioned underslung C20 demi-berline. The body of the car is believed to be built in 1938 and especially the rear end looks like an ancestor of the C30 while the front still carries the typical radiator grille. The catalogue tells us, that "Saliot" MAY be the coachbuider, but I have my doubts. I know at least two Saliot Voisin bodies and they don´t show many similarities, and this special body was titled as "unknown coachbuilder" till now, but who knows!? The interiour with its aeronautical style instruments and the lightweight seats is typical Voisin. The car was delivered in 1938 and soon after, the rear end of the body was modified by a coachbuilder in Bayeux. During WW2 the car was stored, but still in the first owners family. In 1958 the car was sold to Alexis Dreye, but after only 20 kilometers with the new owner on the wheel, the car broke down and it was stored for many years again. There is one cut out picture of the car in my collection and the car seems to have had a one tone paintwork then. A bunch of letters between the second owner and Gabriel Voisin debating about the car are part of the lot. In 1975 the engine was rebuilt and a paintjob was done, but still the car didn´t make many miles. The odometer shows about 2700 kilometers and it is believed to be original. Even if the car was displayed a couple of times, it was always trailered. So what can you buy? It is an 80 years old two owner car with a unique body. Only one other C18 is known to have survived. Most of the history is known and even if the coachbuilder is not confirmed, the body is really spectacular.
But if you miss this opportunity, about two dozend other cars are auctioned, plus a lot of automobila stuff and parts. What about a 1929 eight cylinder GAR Type B5? I must confess, that I never heared about that brand before, but the car looks superbe! Another great project is the Hotchkiss Z2 hotel omnibus fitted with a Z2 inline four engin and not to forget the two litres Ballot TS with its very elegant black and green limousine body. But if you don´t need another project or parts for your current one, a radiator grille or an old billboard will look very nice in your living room!
text: Hubertus Hansmann main pictures: Thierry Auffret (Thank you very much Thierry for your help!) |
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Twelve Cylinders... Voisin... That sounds really gorgeous!
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