Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).
This prototype car was produced in DeDion, Bouton and Trepardoux's new factory in the Rue des Pavillons at Puteaux. It could seat four people; the rear passengers had their backs to the driver and front passenger. This type of positioning would become known as dos-a-dos. The four passengers sat atop a large rectangular sheet-iron tank. The tank held water for the vertical boiler, which could be found in front of the driver. The car was powered by two independent tandem-compound engines located underneath the floor. The power they produced each powered one wheel. That power was sent via a connecting rod and overhung cranks.
DeDion named the prototype car 'La Marquise' in honor of his mother. It would be used in 1887 in the 20-mile race from the pont de Neuilly in Paris to Versailles and back. La Marquise was the only light steamer in the race. Bouton drove the solo race in 1 hour and 14 minutes with an average speed of 16 mph. The top speed was reported to be 37 mph.
In 1888 DeDion drove La Marquise to a victory over Georges Bouton who was driving a light steam tricycle.
The Count would retain La Marquise for many years, even after the popularity of steam-powered cars faded. After many years, the next owner of the steamer was an artillery officer named Doriol. By this point in history, some of the little carriage's bronze and copper plumbing had been stripped and used for making shell casings.
La Marquise was displayed at the 1925 Grand Exhibition in Grenoble and was awarded a Special Diplome d'Honneur. A restoration was attempted but never really finished until June of 1987 when it was sold for only the second time in its life. A British individual was its next owner, who acquired permission to export it from France. A complete restoration was commissioned, bringing it to the original running order.
This car is a multi-award-winning vehicle, as would be expected. It outclasses every rival in terms of heritage, distinction, uniqueness, pedigree, and history. It won the UK National Steam heritage Premier Award for Restoration and Preservation in 1991. In 1997 at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, it was a double first place winner, winning the U1 class for pioneer steam cars. The Automobile Quarterly awarded it the Historians Trophy for the 'Most Historically Important Car at the Show.'
It was honored at the 1996 Louis Vuitton Concours at the Royal Hurlingham Club, London. It was a class winner of pre-century steam vehicles in 1999 at the Cartier 'Style et Luxe' Concours at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. In 1994 and 1998, it made featured demonstration runs at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
It has completed the 62-mile London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run and the Evelyn Ellis Centenary Run.
The car has changed ownership only twice in nearly 125 years. It is the world's oldest racing car, the world's oldest functioning automobile in private hands, and the holder of many prestigious awards.
In 2007 it was brought to auction and offered for sale. This was a rare opportunity that truly is a once-in-a-lifetime affair. It was one of the highlights of the auction and took a prominent display location throughout the auction preview days. As it crossed the auction block, bidding was energetic. As the gavel fell for the third and final time, the lot had been sold for $3,520,000, including the buyer's premium.By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2008
DeDion named the prototype car 'La Marquise' in honor of his mother. It would be used in 1887 in the 20-mile race from the pont de Neuilly in Paris to Versailles and back. La Marquise was the only light steamer in the race. Bouton drove the solo race in 1 hour and 14 minutes with an average speed of 16 mph. The top speed was reported to be 37 mph.
In 1888 DeDion drove La Marquise to a victory over Georges Bouton who was driving a light steam tricycle.
The Count would retain La Marquise for many years, even after the popularity of steam-powered cars faded. After many years, the next owner of the steamer was an artillery officer named Doriol. By this point in history, some of the little carriage's bronze and copper plumbing had been stripped and used for making shell casings.
La Marquise was displayed at the 1925 Grand Exhibition in Grenoble and was awarded a Special Diplome d'Honneur. A restoration was attempted but never really finished until June of 1987 when it was sold for only the second time in its life. A British individual was its next owner, who acquired permission to export it from France. A complete restoration was commissioned, bringing it to the original running order.
This car is a multi-award-winning vehicle, as would be expected. It outclasses every rival in terms of heritage, distinction, uniqueness, pedigree, and history. It won the UK National Steam heritage Premier Award for Restoration and Preservation in 1991. In 1997 at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, it was a double first place winner, winning the U1 class for pioneer steam cars. The Automobile Quarterly awarded it the Historians Trophy for the 'Most Historically Important Car at the Show.'
It was honored at the 1996 Louis Vuitton Concours at the Royal Hurlingham Club, London. It was a class winner of pre-century steam vehicles in 1999 at the Cartier 'Style et Luxe' Concours at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. In 1994 and 1998, it made featured demonstration runs at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
It has completed the 62-mile London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run and the Evelyn Ellis Centenary Run.
The car has changed ownership only twice in nearly 125 years. It is the world's oldest racing car, the world's oldest functioning automobile in private hands, and the holder of many prestigious awards.
In 2007 it was brought to auction and offered for sale. This was a rare opportunity that truly is a once-in-a-lifetime affair. It was one of the highlights of the auction and took a prominent display location throughout the auction preview days. As it crossed the auction block, bidding was energetic. As the gavel fell for the third and final time, the lot had been sold for $3,520,000, including the buyer's premium.By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2008
2011 RM Auctions - Hershey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $2,000,000-USD $2,500,000
Sale Price :
USD $4,620,000
2007 Gooding & Company
Sale Price :
USD $3,520,000
Recent Sales of the De Dion Bouton et Trepardoux Dos-A-Dos
(Data based on Model Year 1884 sales)
1884 De Dion Bouton Et Trepardoux Dos-A-Dos Steam Runabout Chassis#: 6 Sold for USD$4,620,000 2011 RM Auctions - Hershey | |
1884 De Dion Bouton et Trepardoux Dos-A-Dos Sold for USD$3,520,000 2007 Gooding & Company |
De Dion Bouton et Trepardoux Dos-A-Doss That Failed To Sell At Auction
1884 De Dion Bouton et Trepardoux Dos-A-Dos's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $4,070,000 range.
1935 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante Chassis#:57252 Sold for $3,915,431 2024 Gooding & Company : London Auction | |
1934 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Lungo Spider by Eagle Coach Works Chassis#:2311237 Sold for $4,075,000 2024 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
2022 Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport Chassis#:VF9SC3V35NM795031 Sold for $4,047,500 2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia | |
1954 FERRARI 500 MONDIAL SERIES I SPIDER Chassis#:0434 MD Sold for $3,995,000 2024 Gooding : Amelia Island | |
2004 Ferrari Enzo Coachwork by Pininfarina Chassis#:ZFFCZ56B000136072 Sold for $4,248,266 2024 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde a Paris | |
1965 Shelby 427 Competition Cobra Chassis#:csx3006 Sold for $4,180,000 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
2015 Porsche 918 'Weissach' Spyder Chassis#:WP0CA2A13FS800656 Sold for $3,937,500 2023 RM Sothebys : The White Collection | |
1912 SIMPLEX 50 HP TOY-TONNEAU Chassis#:799 Sold for $4,075,000 2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1985 Ferrari 288 GTO Chassis#:ZFFPA16B000054809 Sold for $3,910,000 2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center | |
1995 Ferrari F50 Chassis#:ZFFTA46B000103495 Sold for $4,240,000 2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center | |
2003 Ferrari Enzo Chassis#:ZFFCW56A730135264 Sold for $4,075,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1956 Ferrari 500 TR Spider by Scaglietti Chassis#:0610 MDTR Sold for $4,022,415 2023 RM Sothebys : Villa Erba | |
1985 Ferrari 288 GTO Chassis#:ZFFPA16B000056773 Sold for $3,965,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | |
1991 Ferrari 643 Chassis#:127 Sold for $3,997,353 2023 RM Sothebys : Paris | |
2006 Maserati MC12 Corse Chassis#:ZAMDF44B000029626 Sold for $4,100,000 2023 Bonhams : Scottsdale Auction | |
2014 Ferrari LaFerrari Chassis#:ZFF76ZFA2E0207435 Sold for $4,075,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
1969 PORSCHE 908/02 Chassis#:908/02-010 Sold for $4,185,000 2022 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1990 FERRARI F40 Chassis#:ZFFMN34A0L0087041 Sold for $3,965,000 2022 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
2004 FERRARI ENZO Chassis#:ZFFCZ56B000136089 Sold for $4,130,000 2022 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
2015 Ferrari LaFerrari Chassis#:ZFF76ZFA2F0208568 Sold for $3,910,000 2022 Broad Arrow Auctions : Monterey Jet Center Auction |
1884 De Dion Bouton et Trepardoux Dos-A-Dos
• Additional valuation insight and sales data• History
• Specifications
• Image gallery