Quiz Archive

What is it? # 104 (Update II: 1906 Diatto Clément-Bayard...)

Ah !!!, at last again a crystal clear Competition. One partially good answer by jury member Bob Swanson, who answered that it looks like a Clément-Bayard. Well done Bob ! And one, just one, perefectly right on the dot by Fons Alkemad, expert in obscure French makes: "This could very well be a Clément-Bayard that was built under Diatto licence in Italy from 1906-1909..." Applause. Well done Fons! Anybody who can provide more info on this rare make of car is most welcome to react( \n This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). The South African owner (since 1940) would love to learn more about his car and its backgrounds, but was not capable to find anything in 64 years...... (UPDATE: official name according to owner is Diatto A Clément) See you all next Saturday!

UPDATE II, Wayne Mikosz shares a 'little' Clement-Bayard knowledge with us: "Gustav Adolph Clement, a bicycle and motorbike maker, entered the automobile business in 1898. The Clement-Bayard was highly influenced by Panhard et Levassor owing to Clements' large stock ownership in that company. The "Bayard" name was of a well known knight (French) who lived from 1473- 1524. In 1904 the C-B was considered unusual in its 8/10 hp motor with T-heads and dual camshafts. The cams were high in the block and drove valves on the opposite sides of the two cylinders. These motors were cheaper to build and apparently quieter. (Other manufacturers were using the same design as well) And, as is well known, C-B provided engines for racing boats as well. The overall styling of their autos was considered appropriate and current to the times. C-B was purchased in 1921 by Andre Citroen. (though another source has it in 1927.) I can't be sure. There is a photo of a similar 1904, 8/10 in Automobile Quarterly, vol. 5, number 4, page 425. In 1903 Alberto Santos-Dumont, the French aviator, utilized a Clement motor for his dirigible, "No. 9". The motor weighed only 26 lbs. and developed all of 3 hp and the subsequent airships' tiny size allowed him to use it, rather than his auto, for daily trips about town. And an added little item of interest: C-B sub-contracted for deDion-Bouton in the manufacture of tricycle frames at the Levallois facility. " Thank you Wayne ! (photos courtesy Brian Noik) EARLIER TEXT: It is a 1906-ish twin-spark car (check oil first!). With both French and Italian influences, from two wellknown... errr... relatively wellknown makes (see close-up of radiator). Otherwise it is a complete mystery to the owner (sinde the 1940-s). So this quiz is slightly different than most other ones. The car is both known and not known. We know most but most certainly not all details. The first five competitors who have the make at least partially right, will receive the PreWarCar badge. The one competitor with the make really good plus a good story on what this car is about, will get a PreWarCar shirt on top. Send your response before Monday 22 March to \n This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and please add # 104 in the subject line.

Friday, 19 March 2004