1900 De Dion Bouton Imperial Mulliner

1900 De Dion Bouton Imperial Mulliner

1900 De Dion Bouton 3. 5HP Type E

Registration No - WC1324

Chassis No - 971

Engine No - 1980

VCC Dating Certificate No - 2438

‘The Imperial’ Coachwork by Mulliner and Co. Mayfair, London.

Offered for sale here, a truly time warp condition, original example of the exceptionally rare 3. 5HP Type E De Dion Bouton Voiturette.

WC1324, carries its original engine and bodywork, baring a plate with the inscription ‘British Motor Co Ltd Licensed - Dion Dunlop Co Ltd. No 971’.

The original bodywork is of Imperial Double Phaeton type, manufactured by h J Mulliner & Co Coachbuilders Mayfair, London. The original Mulliner build sheet records survive and show a full description of painting, extra fittings, coat of arms as supplied new and confirmation of the engine and chassis numbers. The bodywork was designed so that the front seat could be rotated to offer Vis-a-Vis style seating. The Roman numerals XXIV (24) are cut into both halves of the bodywork showing this is in fact the original coachwork.

The car was first delivered new to a dealer, W James, who in turn supplied it to its first home, ‘Wimborne House, 22 Arlington Street London’ (now the Ritz Hotel). The owners would be the RT Hon Ivor Bertie Guest, 1st Baron of Wimborne (Born 1835- Died 1914) and his 27 year old son, Ivor Churchilll Guest, both known as Lord Ivor/ Lord Wimborne. The Wimborne family countryside residence was Canford Manor, Canford Magna, Wimborne, Dorset.

In 1934 the car was purchased by Mr Geoffrey Tice for the sum of £12 from a clergyman at a house sale in Ferndown, Dorset (just a few miles from the Wimborne residence) and it was in this family that the car remained from 1934 until 2004 when a VCC certificate of date was handed to Mr Malcolm Tice. The car was sold via Bonhams that November 2004 where it achieved a high price due to its originality and origins.

The purchaser was the late Mr W H Wrather, a veteran car enthusiast and collector who entered the car in the London to Brighton Run 2007, 2008 and 2009. The car was then sold to the current custodian in May 2011.

Today the car is offered for sale in the same original and beautifully aged condition that it has been kept in for so long and is running well. It has taken part in many rallies including the London to Brighton, De Dion Club events, the Ellis journey and many more in its recent 13 year ownership. Benefiting from a very early London to Brighton start time, easy to master gear arrangement and capacity to take passengers, this incredible piece of history would make a worthy addition to any collection.

POA, please contact Tom Parrott on the details below or via email, using the button below