1901 De Dion Bouton Vis-A-Vis Motorette Vis-A-Vis

This is one of the few DeDion Motorettes built under license in Brooklyn, NY, in 1901; poor reliability and complaints from those licensed to sell the French-built DeDion Bouton in the United States may explain the short life of the French/American venture. It is said that, on one occasion, three dissatisfied owners, accompanied by the local sheriff, returned their vehicles and demanded and received, refunds. This automobile appears to have been refurbished rather than restored; it was part of the collection of Murchio's Antique Auto Museum in Greenwood Lake, New York. Joseph Murchio was a well-known collector, automobile race driver and airplane enthusiast; after his passing, the car was sold by his estate as, 'junk,' possibly to avoid New York State taxes and transfer fees.

This Motorette has a Vis-a-Vis (face-to-face) body style and is powered by a one-cylinder, water-cooled, 3.5 horsepower good for speeds of 20 to 25 mph.

Innovations of the 1901 DeDion include 'Universal' type joints with cardan shafts allowing constant drive to the rear wheels, while the engine and gearbox sat rigidly in the chassis frame.

DeDion-Bouton made the first high-speed engines producing high horsepower for their weight and using coil ignition with a mechanically operated contact breaker. DeDion Bouton's engine design was so revolutionary that it was licensed to over 150 other manufacturers and used in automobiles, as stationary engines and in motorcycles including early Indian and Harley Davidson. Their advertising proudly touted 'over 10,000 engines sold.'