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

In 1900, De Dion, Bouton et Cie. had built steam cars, gasoline tricycles, and four-wheeled voiturettes. It had the unique distinction of being the largest engine manufacturer in the world, supplying power plants to 140 manufacturers worldwide. The four-wheel, four-seat vis-a-vis (face-to-face) voiturette was very popular. Even America had taken notice, after a De Dion was demonstrated in Boston in 1898, and subsequently, Kenneth Skinner, of Boston, took up licensing De Dion patens in the United States.

There were several importers, but in 1900, a consortium of Americans, headed by Cornelius Field, took a license from Skinner and set up the De Dion-Bouton Motorette Company in Brooklyn, New York, with a salesroom on 66th Street in Manhattan. The company offered three models, including a Brooklyn Motorette with a single two-passenger seat, a New York Motorette with facing vis à vis seating, and a telephone-booth-like Brougham.

To boost confidence in the model and to further promote the vehicles, the De Dion went racing. They took prizes in hill climbs on Long Island, they raced with the Auto Club of New England at the Pan-American Exhibition at Buffalo, and one took 1st place in a September 1901 New York-to-Buffalo endurance test.

Unfortunately, the life of the Brooklyn-built De Dion was short. By mid-1902, Skinner had canceled the company's contract, citing violations of its conditions.

There were a few hundred De Dion-Bouton motorcars manufactured in Brooklyn, New York in 1900. These French-engineered vehicles would have a significant influence on the emerging American motorcar industry. Even Louis Chevrolet was an employee of the Brooklyn-based De Dion Company. They were produced in three distinct models, with approximately five of these 3.5 horsepower Vis-a-Vis models still known to exist. These particular models were referred to as the New York Motorette.

This example is an original and unrestored vehicle that has had only four owners from new. For a quarter of a century, this car was in the car of Ben Moser's collection.

This New York Type Motorette was discovered in the 1960s by the late California collector Ben Moser. It had been owned by a single family for at least half-a-century, before being purchased by Moser from the grandson of the long-time owner. When purchased, it was removed from a barn intact and virtually original, with only a few cosmetic touches made by the grandson. Moser went on to collect additional period-appropriate tools and memorabilia to go with the car.

Prior to Mr. Moser's death in 1992, the car was acquired by Jeremy Hass. The car was in good condition and quite complete, except for the fact that its leather seating was loose. The paint was largely original, and the engine ran well after a brief tune-up. Hass entered it for the 1992 London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run in England. It made it most of the way; on the final hill, however, it stalled with engine trouble.

Mr. Hass had the engine and gearbox rebuilt after returning to the United States, and the differential gear was also changed to a more favorable ratio. In 1993, he sold the car, and it has had two owners in recent years.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2014