1924 Voisin C4S

Gabriel Voisin was a pioneering engineer in the burgeoning aviation industry, and when the market dried up for his aircraft manufacturing business in Issy les Moulineaux after the Great War, the resources were diverted to motor car manufacturing. Avions Voisin produced luxury automobiles from 1919 through 1939 and soon became the preferred car of royals and the wealthy, including the Sultan of Morocco, the Prince of Siam, the French President Alexandre Millerand, and the President of Argentina. Like many luxury marques of the era, it struggled during the Great Depression. After World War II ended, the business was nationalized in the political turmoil, the Government installed directors, and the business was integrated into that of its principal creditor, engine supplier Gnome & Rhône which was in turn nationalized in 1945.

The Avions Voisin

The company's first model was the C1, equipped with a four-cylinder engine of Knight design, with a cast iron block, aluminum sump, and sleeve valves that offered near-silent operation. Voisin automobiles benefitted from the extensive use of light alloy materials, especially aluminum, and many of the body designs were charmingly eccentric, in styles that harmonized aerodynamic curves with Cubist flair.

Voisin automobiles remained faithful to the sleeve-valve engine, favored for its silent operation and smooth torque. Subsequent models received an advanced three-point engine mounting and four-wheel brakes.

The Voisin C4S

Voisin introduced the C4 model at the Paris Motor Show in 1921, equipped with a 1,243cc engine. The C4S was an evolution of the company's C4 model, introduced in 1924 and fitted with a larger 1,328cc engine and brakes on the front wheel. Equipped with a Zenith sidedraft carburetor, the sleeve-valve four-cylinder engine produced 33 horsepower. It was paired to a three-speed manual gearbox, with the suspension using semi-elliptic leaf springs and a live axle at the rear.

Production of the Voisin C4S continued through 1925.

by Dan Vaughan

Sport Tourisme
Chassis number: 5646
Engine number: 6265

Gabriel Voisin built his first automobile in 1919, and the marque quickly became associated with the social elite of Paris. Soon, in order to secure more orders, Voisin built a smaller car in collaboration with Andre 'Noel-Noel' Telmont, who went on to design many of Voisin's Art Deco creations in the 1930s.

The Voisin C4 was first shown at the 1921 Paris Auto Salon, and a year later it became the C 4S, which was produced through 1925. The C 4S was powered by a 1,328cc sleeve-valve engine and was fitted with front-wheel brakes.

This C 4S Sport Tourisme, with its patented disappearing top, is one of just two known to exist. It is a CCCA full classic that has the original body, chassis, and engine. It was a completely original example prior to restoration and a rare early open example of Voisin. Gabriel B. Voisin started producing cars in 1919 and used Knight-type sleeve valve engines. He was one of the first to use monocoque chassis construction. The vehicle utilizes light alloys, especially aluminum, and features central weight distribution.

This vehicle was delivered new to the United States and is one of the most correct and authentically restored Voisins known. All of the bodywork and mechanicals have been restored to factory specification and is has been finished in typical Voisin style, in Ecossaise or plaid decoration.

Gabriel Voisin's aircraft manufacturing business located in Issy les Moulinxeaux was very successful during the Great War. Once war time 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 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.

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 over 160 km. It reached a speed of 128 mph.

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. Gabriel Voisin, however, realized that specializing in expensive luxury cars may not have provided the necessary funds to sustain the company's financial health. In 1921, he introduced what was to be the smallest sleeve valve Voisin. Dubbed the C4, it had a short wheelbase and given a functional angular torpedo style coachwork with seating for four individuals. For 1923, the C4 was given only minor cosmetic improvements and horsepower grew by two. Buyers could purchase the C4 with optional front wheel brakes. Additional body styles also became available, including the sports torpedo and coupe de ville.

In 1924, the C4S was introduced. Its larger 1328cc engine capacity boosted horsepower to 33 BHP. To help combat this extra horsepower, front wheel brakes became standard. Other improvements included a Dynastar dynamo/starter motor which was attached to the front of the crankshaft. A new sports torpedo body style became available and styling changes to the interior and exterior were visible throughout the lineup.

The final year of production for the C4 and C4S was in 1925.

by Dan Vaughan