1905 Richard-Brasier Type D

Georges Richard and Charles-Henri Brasier founded the Paris-based Richard-Brasier Automobile Company in 1902, and it remained in operation through 1931. In 1926, the name was changed to Chaigneau-Brasier.

Mr. Brasier's automotive resume included working with Panhard and serving as chief engineer for Émile Mors at the Mors automobile factory. Mr. Brasier's contribution to the Richard-Brasier company was his production skills and experience. Mr. Richard had a license to build cars, but his love for motor racing activities would create a rift between him and his business partner. He was frequently away from the office either for racing or healing due to those activities. In 1905, Richard left the company to found Unic (société anonyme des automobiles Unic), with financial backing from Baron Henri de Rothschild. This French manufacturer would actively produce automobiles through July 1938.

With Mr. Richard's departure, the Richard-Brasier was renamed 'Brasier.' The company produced twin-, four- and six-cylinder models before the outbreak of World War I, with annual production of approximately 1,000 cars.

The company's name was changed to Chaigneau-Brasier in 1926 after it was bought by the Chaigneau family. Financial difficulties brought the company's existence to an end in 1931.

1905 Richard-Brasier Type D
The Type D was a large and imposing automobile powered by a T-head inline four-cylinder engine displacing 6,500cc and producing an estimated 50 horsepower. It had a four-speed manual gearbox, two-wheel mechanical drum brakes, and a suspension comprised of semi-elliptic leaf springs.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2024

Sold for $168,000 at 2024 Gooding : Amelia Island.
This 1905 Richard-Brasier Type D Tourer wears coachwork by Deshayes Frères & Courtois. House Deshayes was founded in 1853 in Avesnes, north of France, and initially produced horse-drawn carriages. They switched to horseless carriage production in 1900 and changed their name to Deshayes Frères & Courtois.

Styling elements of this elegant tourer include curved and beveled glass in the rear, Phare Ducellier self-generating acetylene headlights, and interior dome lights. The engine is a 6,500cc T-head four-cylinder unit that develops an estimated 50 horsepower. It has a three-speed manual gearbox, two-wheel mechanical drum brakes, a solid front axle, and a live rear axle.

This Type D entered the care of European collector Maurice Marques in 1987, and was exhibited in a Swiss museum before it was acquired by the Mullin Collection in 2006.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2024