Description
1923 SALMSON AL
This delightfully proportioned Salmson, was built by the Billancourt factory in 1923, with its design, loosely based upon the early GN cyclecar, (which Salmson once produced under license) it was no surprise then, to find the model equipped with a light weight chassis and stylish and skimpy coachwork. Whilst the chain drive had been dropped for a fixed differential and a clever pushrod engine by Emilie Petit, which featured a single pushrod per cylinder, that actuates both inlet and exhaust valves, a neat and clever design with its economy of moving parts!
This particular AL has had a large amount of restoration work, rebuilt from the chassis up by a previous owner, with a fully rebuilt engine with new white metalling by John Kirby, the gearbox was also rebuilt with a taller 2nd gear, wheels were also rebuilt on beaded edge rims with new Waymaster tyres.
More recently, the AL has received further work, including a set of beautiful new wings in aluminium, along with various coachwork modifications and a full repaint in period correct cellulose paint.
To sum up, this is a very pretty French Light car, with its skiff style coachwork, mahogany decking and tasteful detail, running very well indeed, it would be a great vintage car for VSCC events, indeed my good friend Ivan Dutton has had much success on trials hills in his Salmson, will you be joining in with my Salmson this season ?!!
