1912 De Dion Bouton DM A.S.

Roadster by Flandrau
Chassis number: 1

The French industrialist Count Albert De Dion joined with engineer Georges Bouton in 1882 to build the first self-propelled steam vehicle. In 1890 they patented a single-cylinder gasoline engine, by 1895, they were building their first automobiles, and by 1900 they were the world's largest automobile manufacturer. The company pioneered many automotive first, including the first production V8s. The company also created the first auto club and organized the first-ever auto show in Paris in 1898. This 1912 two-passenger DM is chassis number 1. It is powered by the De Dion Bouton-patented V8 engine first seen on 1910 models, and coachwork is by Flandrau, perhaps the finest U.S. coachbuilder at that time.

DeDion was the world's first to market the V-8 engine. In 1909, DeDion patented the fork-and-blade arrangement of connecting rods for use in V-8 engines. This solution made it possible to locate each pair of cylinders on the same vertical axis, shortening the engine and making it possible for one set of cams to do the work of two. Fork-and-blade rods became mandatory for fine V-type engines and were used by Cadillac, Hispano-Suiza, Liberty, and Lincoln, to name a few. Their V-8 engines were fitted with a twin-throat carburetor - one for each bank of cylinders. This quite revolutionary powerplant set entirely new standards of smoothness of operation, and its great lower-speed torque became legendary.

This L-Head, V-type, eight-cylinder engine developed 26 horsepower. Special features along with the engine, include De Dion rear axle, four-speed transmission, wire wheels, Rushmore electric generator and starter (generator driven by chain from the drive shaft), and Gray & Davis electric side and headlamps. The engine is lubricated by pressure oiling.

Marquis Albert De Dion was an industrialist and automotive genius. He pioneered many 'firsts' for the automotive industry and recognized the power and potential of the gasoline engine. He teamed with Georges Bouton, an engineer, and together they produced a self-propelled steam vehicle in 1882. To improve the ride of the vehicle, a lightweight rear axle was invented and later patented under the name 'de Dion.' In 1890 they patented a gasoline single-cylinder engine, and in 1895, they were producing vehicles. The single-cylinder engine was also used to power sporting tricycles until 1901.

In 1985 De Dion created the first automobile club and in 1898, organized an auto show in Paris, the first auto show the world had ever seen. By the close of the 1890s, the 3.5 horsepower rear-engined petite voiture had become the world's first series-production small car.

Over 150 motorcycle and automobile manufacturers bought licenses to build the Bouton and De Dion engines. By 1900 De Dion and Bouton was the world's largest maker of automobiles with an annual production of 400 cars and 3,200 engines. By 1904 De Dion had supplied over 40,000 engines produced by their Puteaux facility.

In 1902 a six horsepower engine appeared, still being placed behind the driver and powering the rear wheels. It used a two-speed expanding clutch transmission. An 8-horsepower engine was later introduced, placed under a hood in front of the vehicle, and dubbed the Model K.

By 1903 a two-cylinder engine had been produced, increasing the horsepower rating to 12. Two years later, a four-cylinder version capable of producing between 15 and 24 horsepower, depending on configuration, had been developed.

In 1908 the company produced its final 8-horsepower single-cylinder engine and all models were now equipped with conventional gearboxes.

In 1910 De Dion and Bouton introduced an eight-cylinder engine in 'Vee' configuration, another innovative achievement for the duo. The 6.1-liter engine was capable of producing 35 horsepower. The displacement was further enlarged to 7.8-liters and again to 14.7-liters. The eight-cylinder engine was used until 1923, when a new OHV 12-cylinder engine with aluminum pistons was introduced.

With national tragedies such as World War I and the onset of the Great Depression, the De Dion company began to struggle financially. In 1927, it ceased production temporarily, and when it resumed production, it had a new 2.5-liter straight eight-cylinder and a 2-liter four-cylinder engine. Sales were sluggish, so the decision was made to increase the displacement to 3 liters in 1930.

In 1932 the last automobile produced by the De Dion Company was produced. It continued to produce trucks until the close of the 1940s, when it shifted its focus to servicing automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles.

by Dan Vaughan