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• Auction House:
  Mossgreen
• Sale Name:
  Collectors’ Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia
• Sale Date:
  27 Nov 2016 ~ 2.30pm
• Lot #:
  49
• Lot Description:
  1911 HOTCHKISS TYPE AB SERIE 1
  Chassis no: 3558; Engine no: 3558
• Notes:
  Benjamin Hotchkiss (1826-1885) was an American engineer from Connecticut who moved to France in 1867 and set up an armaments factory, S.A. des Anciens Etablissements Hotchkiss et Cie, in Saint-Denis near Paris. During the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71 he supplied Emperor Napoleon III with munitions including one of the earliest machine guns and the company became well known for its quick-firing light artillery. In 1903 after expanding into making car parts for early motoring companies such as Panhard-Levassor and De Dion Bouton, Hotchkiss started making their own engines and ultimately complete cars. The crossed guns, of the Hotchkiss car emblem, with a shell with burning fuse in between are a reminder of the company's origins. Very quickly however Hotchkiss had established a reputation for quality and with the emphasis now on cars rather than guns, new innovations were developed such as the Hotchkiss Drive in which the torque of the open propeller shaft was taken up by the rear springs. This French automobile manufacturer finally closed its doors for business in 1955. The Hotchkiss Type AB Serie 1 has a four-cylinder 3686 cc 18/22 horsepower engine with 95 mm bore and 1300 mm stroke. It has a four forward and reverse gate change gearbox. It has a running brake on transmission and a parking brake on the rear wheels. It features the patented Hotchkiss Drive. This model replaced the previous 16/20 hp Type T in September 1911 and continued in production until 1912 when it in turn was replaced by the Type AB Serie 2 which had a pressurised engine lubrication system. The Hotchkiss cars were very quiet running and at the time was advertised as the "The Car with no weakness to hide". The advertisement continued, "The noiseless working of the Engine is due to the lightness of the pistons, to the precise fit of all parts, and especially to the perfect engine-balance. The Valve Tappets are fitted with rollers to the lower end to reduce friction, while the upper ends are adjustable and hollowed to contain very light springs which keep the rods held firmly against the valve stems to prevent chattering. All possibility of noise in the timing gear is prevented by perfection of design and materials used. These attributes, together with the assurance of correct mixture at all engine speeds by the carburetter, combine to make HOTCHKISS beautifully silent." This very rare example of the Hotchkiss Type AB Serie 1, is believed to be just one of only two to exist in Australia. It is in superb condition, both mechanically and cosmetically, after much painstaking work having been lovingly restored by its current owner of many years. The car has been used and driven regularly to and from many Veteran and Vintage events and possesses a high degree of originality. A fine specimen of the Edwardian brass era period motor car. This vehicle will be sold unregistered
• Estimate:
  A$75,000 - 90,000
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

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• Category:
  Automobiles & Accessories

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.