An early Vanvooren bodied barn find

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The Vanvooren company from Paris was one of the most important and influential coachbuilders of the first half of the last century, and is almost exclusively known only to specialists today. In the latest issue of the Rare & Unique Vehicles magazine, they try to win some ground and feature some of the Vanvooren bodied cars. One of them is an amazing barn find. A 1905 Rochet-Schneider, that was acquired by the Musée Automobile Reims Champagne earlier this year.

1905 Rochet-Schneider

The car, a part of the Series 3600 Family, was built during the summer of 1905 and delivered to the Vanvooren workshops in September. It was originally ordered by Charles Le Roy, a French artist. Le Roy often visited his friend, Albert Grenier, a wealthy entrepreneur. Grenier’s wife, Lili, often travelled in this car, which was driven by her chauffeur, Emile Pottier. When Albert Grenier died, Lili became the wife of Charles Le Roy. Later, around 1936, he donated the car to his driver, Pottier. Pottier was a war veteran who couldn’t afford a new car, so he maintained the Rochet-Schneider in good condition. He became the mayor of his village in 1954, and during national holidays like the 14th of July, the flower-covered car paraded on the streets. The car was last taken out in 1966 for the wedding of Emile’s granddaughter. Now, 55 years later, his grandchildren have decided to find a new home for the family ‘treasure’.

Sources: Didier Mahistre, Martin Waltz, Didier Carayon, Rare & Unique Vehicles. Pictures: Nomade Photo Reims.

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