1919 Voisin C1 Chauffeur Limousine

Gabriel Voisin's aircraft manufacturing business located in Issy les Moulinxeaux was very successful during the Great War. Once wartime 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 a 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 Voisin Company also built racing cars. In April of 1927, a Voisin fitted with an 8-liter, eight-cylinder, sleeve-valve engine broke the speed record of over 160 km. It reached a speed of 128 mph.

This 1919 Avions Voisin C1 Chauffeur Limousine wears chassis number 804 and is powered by engine number 826. Though many of the C1 cars received custom coachwork, this example was given a factory body. It was the first 'factory' Voisin and gives an interesting glimpse into the mind of Gabriel Voisin and his design preferences. It is an elegant and practical six-window vehicle with a spacious cabin and all of the luxury amenities available at the time.

The original purchaser of this car is believed to have been a French Steel Magnate. It was later bequeathed to the nearby Le Man's museum, which kept the car until 1992 when it was de-accessioned and came into the present ownership.

It wears a semi-completed restoration - the wood of the bodywork has been professionally attended to by a professional carpenter specializing in horse-drawn carriages. The motor has been taken apart and inspected and is believed to be in good order. It has its original interior and an older repaint in its original colors.

In 2008, this Chauffeur Limousine was offered for sale at the Quail Lodge, A Sale of Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia where it was sold for $87,750 inclusive of the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2008