Quiz Archive

What is it? # 81 (UPDATE: Gobron-Brillié ! )

First an excuse for a technical incorrection which was detected by Carleton Hughes: "Actually the car has only 1 crankshaft that supports the conventional con-rods and pistons but the upper pistons were joined by a crosshead and this drove very long connecting rods coupled at 180 degrees from the lower ones,the 2 pistons in each cylinder coming together compressing the charge and being forced apart during the explosion." Yet this didn't stop the competitors, almost all of them agreed on the make Gobron Brillié. (photo ~1978 by Mike Clark) >>> Carleton Hughes adds on the history of the French make: "These unique opposed piston engines were made from about 1898 to 1929 but after 1919 conventional Chapuis-Dornier motors were offered for those who were afraid of the unconventional design. They had an interesting competitions history,one competed in the Paris-Vienna,another in the Circuit des Ardennes. One 1903, 110hp model in the hands of Rigolly was quite effective in many races up to the Targa Florio and Kaiserpreis of 1907."

Now about every year between 1907 and 1914 was mentioned by the massive competition, so we went back to Mike Clark who made the photo and aked him to be very specific as he didn't agree with the very knowledgeable competitor Michael Ware who wrote >>>>:"I think this picture was taken at a VSCC meeting at Silverstone quite a number of years ago. I believe the car is a Gobron Brillie 1907 tourer, it has 4 cylinders (horizontally opposed). Its registration number is KPG 36. It was owned at the time by Bunny Tubbs who was often a commentator at these meetings. Since his death I believe the car has been kept by his family. Bunny Tubbs was a mine of vintage information, very knowledgable on motoring art and a great raconteur. A member of the Guild of Motoring Writers."

About the exact year Mike Clark came back to us with:" The Gobron-Brillié is a 1906 40/60hp, a 4 cylinder 7.6 litre engined car with chain drive. The Gobron was at first described as 1904 in a VSCC event report in 1946 but later was always said to be 1906 in all VSCC references and everywhere else. It was very well known in the VSCC from just after the war until the late 70 's in the ownership of DB "Bunny" Tubbs. It was often humorously referred to as "Gobbling Billy". I suspect this nickname was Bunny's invention - I think he was also responsible for describing certain high quality foreign cars as "Banana Squeezer" and "Risotto Frascati" in VSSC circles. I haven't seen it for many years now but no doubt it is still around. So 1906 is the verdict. Which leaves us to one winner: Professor Paul Linster from Luxembourg. Congratulations Paul!

It is a B & W photo from the times that color photography was available to everybody, but relatively dear. It was an option for which you didn't choose under all circumstances. So far the photo, now the car. It has not a very distinct radiator. Just one of those Mercedes lookalikes that were en vogue in that era. Unfortunately we cannot take a look at what is under the hood (click) , because that's where you can find the differences. Not the usual straight whatever stuff. Opposed pistons! So not even the Ferdinand Porsche boxer system, but two pistons per cylinder that try to shake hands in the middle untill 'BANG!' both are sent back home. Last hint, the car has a double name with 'British' initials. To win the PreWarCar T-shirt send the best possible answer to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We expect to hear the exact name of the make, the year and maybe the type. Only the best or closest answer will win. Please add # 81 to the subject line.

Friday, 26 September 2003