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1931 Voisin C14 news, pictures, and information | ||
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 |  |  | Chartre Designer: Andre Lefèbvre Chassis Num: 28674 Engine Num: 28599 |
| Sold for $667,000 at 2008 Bonhams. | |||
The production of the C14 was produced from late 1927 through 1932 with 1,795 examples produced. Power was from a 2.4-liter six-cylinder patented Knight-type sleeve-valve engine which allowed the car to operate in relative silence. Compared to the modern multi-valve engine, the valving permitted great intake transfer. It could take higher compression ratios than poppet-valve contemporaries of the period.
The C-14 had a conventional transmission in conjunction with a Voisin-developed transfer box system, effectively allowing both a low- and high-speed range for each forward gear. It was controlled by Cotal electric relays which were operated via switches on the steering column. Other impressive luxury features of the time included power assisted braking and Voisin worm-gear steering.
This elegant C14, which was on display at the 2006 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, was discovered in 1967. It was not in use when it was found. It was in the possession of an elderly lady who had owned it for many years. It was purchased by a family that held onto it until around 2000. During that ownership, the car was given a restoration, brining it back to its former glory. The interior was re-upholstered in fabrics identical, both in structure and colors, to the original Paul Poiret fabrics found in the car.
This vehicle is one of two C14 Chartre models known to still exist. The other car is kept in a Swiss foundation. One 12-cylinder example survives.
In 2008, this car was offered for sale at the 'Quail Lodge, A Sale of Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia' presented by Bonhams Auction. The lot was sold for $667,000 inclusive of buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2008
Gabriel Voisin's aircraft manufacturing business located in Issy les Moulinxeaux was very successful during the Great War. Once war time subsided, the company's resources were diverted into the production of automobiles. The first model was the 'C1'. Instead of 're-inventing the wheel', Gabriel purchased the rights from André Citroën to build a larger horsepower, luxury model of the prototype designed by Artault and Dufresne. The engine was also licensed resource, a patent 'Knight' sans soupapes or valveless 'sleeve-vale' motor. The engine was mechanically silent and was a suitable power-source for his upscale C1 model. The four-cylinder engine displaced four-liters and was mated to a four-speed gearbox. There were four-wheel brakes which was another luxury of its day.
Within a short amount of time, the Avions Voisin cars became associated with the social elite, the wealthy, and royalty. There were 70 examples of the C1 produced before the introduction of the C2 in 1920.
The sleeve-valve engine would be used for nearly every Voisin vehicle produced, from their four-cylinder models to the stately V12s. Utilizing knowledge gained from their work with airplanes, the cars were clothed in lightweight aluminum and given aerodynamic styling features.
The first 6-cylinder Voisin was introduced in 1926, the C11. The C14 chassis was, in many respects, a derivative of the C11. The engine design was based on the factory LaboLaboratoire 6-cylinder racing cars.
The Lumineuse ('luminous') body was designed by Gabriel Voisin and had unusually large window openings with 'prismatic' contours. The body material was aluminum attached to multiple wood ribs.
There were several patents associated with this model, including the door mechanism, window mechanism and horn controls. Another significant patent was the pneumatic relay on the transmission, which allowed the driver to select a high- or low-speed range in each of the three forward gears, which essentially gave the driver six forward speeds.
Behind the front wheel wells were large side baggage compartments which helped to center the mass of the car.
By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2008
Within a short amount of time, the Avions Voisin cars became associated with the social elite, the wealthy, and royalty. There were 70 examples of the C1 produced before the introduction of the C2 in 1920.
The sleeve-valve engine would be used for nearly every Voisin vehicle produced, from their four-cylinder models to the stately V12s. Utilizing knowledge gained from their work with airplanes, the cars were clothed in lightweight aluminum and given aerodynamic styling features.
The first 6-cylinder Voisin was introduced in 1926, the C11. The C14 chassis was, in many respects, a derivative of the C11. The engine design was based on the factory LaboLaboratoire 6-cylinder racing cars.
The Lumineuse ('luminous') body was designed by Gabriel Voisin and had unusually large window openings with 'prismatic' contours. The body material was aluminum attached to multiple wood ribs.
There were several patents associated with this model, including the door mechanism, window mechanism and horn controls. Another significant patent was the pneumatic relay on the transmission, which allowed the driver to select a high- or low-speed range in each of the three forward gears, which essentially gave the driver six forward speeds.
Behind the front wheel wells were large side baggage compartments which helped to center the mass of the car.
By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2008
 1931
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