1898 De Dion Bouton Motor Tricycle

The French Dion-Bouton automobile company produced vehicles from 1883 to 1932. The company was founded by Marquis Jules-Albert deDion, Georges Bouton and his brother-in-law Charles Trepardoux. The company was formed after de Dion saw a toy locomotive in a store window and asked the toymakers, Bouton and Trepardoux, to make another. DeDion, Bouton et Trepardoux was formed in Paris in 1883. This became the De Dion-Bouton automobile company, the world's largest automobile manufacturer for a time, becoming well known for its reliability, quality, and durability.

In 1895, Bouton created a new 137cc one-cylinder engine with electric ignition. In trials, it hit an unheard-of 3500 RPM and was usually run at 2,000 RPM. This engine was fitted behind the rear axle of a tricycle frame brought in from Decauville, fitted with the new Michelin pneumatic tires. It showed superb performance and went on the market in 1896 with the engine enlarged to 185cc. By the time production of the petite voiture tricar stopped in 1901, it had 2.75 horsepower while racers had as much as eight horsepower.

This example was acquired by Henry Ford in 1931 from the Deutsches Museum in Munich Germany. It was restored by the Henry Ford Museum soon after it arrived from Germany.