Description
1903 Motobloc Type G 12HP 'Paris-Madrid' Racer - VCC Dated
Registration No. BS8323
Engine No. 218
Chassis No. 117
By the 16th May 1903 there were 314 entries to the infamous Paris-Madrid race, these included Panhard et Levassor, Mercedes, Serpollet, Renault, CGV and Wolseley. A lesser known competitor were the 3 cars entered by Motobloc, of Paris.
The Race was to be a 3 stage event from the city of Versailles and eventually ending up in Madrid. History tells us that this reality never turned out, the event was a catastrophe that saw 34 people die and dozens of others severely injured in scenes that were to change racing on public roads forever. The Race was abandoned by Bordeaux. Among the dead, Marcel Renault, the founder of the company still running today.
Motobloc, a Bordeaux based motor car manufacturer that were derived from the earlier brand Schaudel were an innovative outfit that were credited with the creation of the worlds first unit construction engine. The Engine, Clutch and Gearbox were all organised together inside one main housing. The company continued construction of cars until 1931.
For the Paris - Madrid road race, Motobloc designed and built 3 units, known as the Model G. They consisted of the same unit construction principle that the company founded with a 12HP power unit, conventional pedal layout and 3 forward gears with reverse.
For many years the car shown here today was believed to be one of the 3 Motobloc, Paris - Madrid race cars, although evidence has come to light that this may not be the case and it was infact a car of the exact same type, yet without any racing history.
The 3 cars for Paris-Madrid were chassis numbers 105, 106 and 107, with this example carrying chassis number 117.
Looking at the archives, we can see that chassis number 117 was first registered on 10th august 1903 to Ernest Reuze with the address given, 'Chemin des Vivants, 120, La Bastide'. This very interestingly was the exact same address as the Motobloc factory, and it can be assumed that Mr Reuze was an employee in a high position of the Motobloc company. Information on his later life showed that he was an engineer and upon his death aged 63 years old in Rennes, he also had a Motobloc Type E 9HP.
The second owner was Mr Theodore Lataste living in Cerons (40KM south east of Bordeaux.
The car was then lost for many years before being bought by M. Bonal from the Dombret family in the late 1960s. This was highly significant as Mr Dombret was one of the 3 drivers of the Paris - Madrid racing cars and chief engineer of the Motobloc company. He later in 1907 became a 3rd Director of the company before moving onto other ventures.
This link to Dombret suggested the car was significant or important as by this point it had been owned by 2 Motobloc company employees.
The car was offered for sale by dealer B. Vendiesse in 1999/ 2000 and in the file we see a letter stating that the car was indeed purchased from the Dombret family by M. Bonal for the Bonal Museum in Bordeaux.
Upon its purchase by a large veteran car collector in the UK in 2000, Nigel Parrott was instructed to undertake a no expense spared full restoration. Although this Model G turned out not to be one of the 3 Motobloc Paris -Madrid Racing cars, it was dated by the VVC of Great Britain as a 1903 Motobloc Model G that carried all of the same components as the race cars. The restoration as such was to be in the theme of a homage to the 3 racing cars.
Since its restoration, the car has completed many events in the UK and Europe including the Paris - Madrid reenactment, London to Brighton Veteran Car Run and Tour Du Leman.
Having driven this incredible vehicle, it can only be said that it is a feast for the senses, the lack of mud guards, powerful engine and super light, twitchy handling make for an exhilarating ride and the car is capable of over 40MPH comfortably.
A true once in a life time London to Brighton Eligible car.
£POA
