NEWS
Museum’s Latest Arrival
The Lakeland Motor Museum at Backbarrow has unveiled an exciting new exhibit in the form of an early French built motor car.
Following two years of careful restoration, a 1907 single cylinder 8hp example of the De Dion Bouton marque has been placed on public display, complete with its original carbide lamps and cobra design brass horn. The only replacements to the original equipment are four new tyres and upholstery.
Edwin Maher, museum manager said: “It’s a fantastic addition to our growing motor car collection providing visitors with even more tangible evidence of pioneer motoring.”
“The simple yet robust design can be used to demonstrate how advancements in technology have allowed for changes in materials, style and features, with similarities and striking differences, so revealed.”
De Dion Bouton was a French automobile and railcar maker founded in 1883. Originally the company produced steam cars, then steam tricycles and later steam buses and trucks.
The company turned to internal combustion engines in 1894 and by 1900 was the largest automobile manufacturer in the world, making 400 cars and 3,200 engines for an estimated 150 other car builders. By 1904 some 40,000 engines had been supplied across Europe. In the same year De Dion Bouton employed 1,300 people and produced 2,000 cars, all by hand.
By 1903 more powerful engines had been developed which enabled De Dion Bouton to enter the truck market.
In 1910 the company became the first manufacturer to offer a successful and reliable mass-produced V8 engine.
During WW1 De Dion Bouton made cars and wagons, gun parts, aircraft engines, as well as an anti aircraft version of the French 75mm field gun, mounted on a V8 powered truck.
Following the war the company stagnated and car production finally ceased in 1932, with a small number of commercial vehicles being built until 1950. The last vehicle to carry the De Dion Bouton badge were licence made Land Rovers.
Photograph shows Edwin Maher with the museum’s 1907 De Dion Bouton
Additional information available from Edwin L Maher, Lakeland Motor Museum.
Email: info@lakelandmotormuseum.co.uk | Tel: 015395 30400
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