1910 Lion-Peugeot V2Y2 Sport a Chaines

Armand Peugeot's 'Automobiles Peugeot' manufactured large displacement automobiles. Cousin Robert Peugeot's 'Lion-Peugeot,' a separate company, manufactured small displacement cars beginning in 1906. The Lion-Peugeot name was dropped in 1916 after full integration of the companies. Lion-Peugeots were nimble and held the road tenaciously. Georges Boillot and Jules Goux's factory-prepared V2 racers won many significant races, running some straights at over 65 mph.

At the 1910 Targa Florio, Lion-Peugeots swept 1st, 2nd, and 3rd positions.

Total V2Y2 production was 515 units, split among 300 chain-driven and 215 shaft-driven examples. Five body styles were available, ranging from landaulets and large phaetons to the Sport a Chaines. This 1910 V2Y2 'Sport a Chaines' was dispatched on August 9, 1911, to a Mr. Clement in Mexico. It came into his care on September 8th, 1911, and remained in Mexico into the 1960s, when it was owned by Fernando Ariza. During the 1990s, Mr. Ariza shipped the car to the United States for a restoration, but he passed away prior to the work being completed. Jan Voboril of Topanga, California, acquired the car in June 2000, and in 2002, it was acquired by John Lothrop. Mr. Lothrop began an 8 1/2-year restoration. Original components were restored or used as patterns for accurate reproductions. The car was finished in two shades of green with yellow pinstriping and wheels, with black leather upholstery.

The current caretaker acquired this car in 2012. It won a First Place in the Junior category from the 2013 AACA spring event in Auburn, Indiana, and a Best in Class award at the 2016 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.

Five hundred and fifteen of these 1.7 liter V-Twin engined cars were produced as taxis, landaulets, touring cars, utility vehicles, and the little sports cars. Peugeot only knows of this one 'Sport a Chaines' to have survived. The engine, clutch, and 3-speed transmission are on a subframe isolated from chassis flex. The final drive is by dual chains. Steering is 3/4 turn lock-to-lock. The 'GNAT' is 50 inches wide and 9 feet long, about the size of a golf cart.