1932 Voisin C23

The Voisin marque was closely associated with the aviation industry, sleeve valve engines, and producing most of the bodies (as opposed to outside coachbuilders). The company's founder, Gabriel Voisin was one of the prominent mechanical inventors and engineers of the 20th century. Early in his career, he became possibly the greatest aviation pioneer in France by manufacturing one of the world's first reliable aircraft in 1907. Avions Voisin became the world's first airplane manufacturer, growing in prosperity during the First World War through government contracts. After the armistice in 1918, the contracts dried up and Voisin refocused its talents on various other industries including the automobile.

Voisins first production automobile was the M1 of 1919 equipped with a four-liter Knight-type sleeve valve engine. A year later, it was renamed the C1 in honor of Gabriel's dead brother Charles. Benefitting from the company's history with aviation, the Voisin automobiles employed lightweight construction using aluminum panels attached to a multiplicity of wooden ribs, aerodynamic bodies, and many design cues inspired by aircraft. Among Voisin's designs was the 'Lumineuse' ('luminous') style of coachwork that combined large window openings with striking angular contours.

The Avions Voisin C23
The Voisin C23 was introduced in 1930 and was powered by a three-liter six-cylinder engine with 17 fiscal CV (approximately 80 bhp). Production was exclusive during its rather lengthy lifespan, through 1936, with 355 examples constructed. Following Voisin's tradition, most C23 models received factory coachwork.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2022