D.F.P.

France, 1906 – 1926

Doriot, Flandrin et Parant, Courbevoie, Seine

Doriot and Flandrin had worked for Clément-Bayard and Peugeot, and their first products were straightforward shaft-driven single-cylinder voiturettes with transverse rear suspension, sold as Doriot-Flandrins until Parant arrived to complete the triumvirate. The singles DFP cars were still being marketed with 1100cc engines as late as 1910, but the 1908 DFP car range already included two 4-cylinder cars with sv Chapuis-Dornier engines of 2.4-litres and 2.8-litres capacity. By 1910 there was a small DFP four, the very successful DFP 10/12hp of 1.6-litres, with L-head Monobloc engine, magneto ignition, thermos-syphon cooling, cone clutch and 3-speed gearbox. There was also a DFP 25/30hp 6-cylinder car in 1911. In 1912 DFP started to make their own engines the ‘DFP 10/12’ being joined by an excellent 2-litre ‘DFP 12/15’ with pressure lubcrication, 3-bearing crankshaft and 4-speed gearbox, capable of 2500rpm and 55mph. Further, the British concession was acquired by the brothers W.O. and H.M. Bentley, who ran the ‘12/15’ in competitions; by the end of 1913 a specially prepared example of the DFP car had been timed of the half-mile at 89.70mph. Nothing, however, could be done with the DFP 16/22hp, a 2.8-litre (later 3-litre) machine with pair-cast cylinders and poor performance. In 1914 came the sporting DFP 12/40hp with V-radiator and electrics: for this model the Bentleys persuaded D.F.P. to fit aluminium pistons, as a consequence of which a 65mph performance was available for only £320. W.O. Bentley finished 6th in that year’s T.T., an excellent effort for a 2-litre car competing against specialized 3.3-litre machines.
DFP never recovered fully from World War 1 and Bentley’s decision to set up as a manufacturer in his own right meant that the DFP car company lost its best export market. A DFP 12/15hp chassis now cost £675 as against £290 in 1914. Failing finances forced the DFP company to use proprietary engines, Altos for the 2-litre models, and a Sergant in the ‘10/12’, which went American in 1922 with central change and coil ignition, but reverted to a magneto in 1923. 1922 ‘DFP 12/40s’ had 4-wheel brakes, and a year later this model was supplanted by an ohv 4-speed ‘13/50’, once again with a DFP-built engine. At the same time the DFP company marketed the little D.F.Petite, a sporting machine in the Amilcar idiom, with an ohv 1100cc engine, 3-speed gearbox, quarter-elliptic springing all round and a back axle without differential. This DFP car had front-wheel brakes by 1925, but a year later production had ceased, the DFP car factory being acquired by the Lafitte concern.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; MCS
The information is written with the greatest of care. However, if you have any suggested amendments please contact us at office@prewarcar.com

Pilot

US, 1909 – 1924

Pilot Motor Car Co, Richmond, Ind.

Throughout its life, the Pilot car was an assembled car, with little evidence of imagination in either engineering or style. The Pilot car started as a two-seater roadster which was soon joined by five-seater touring versions. These early models Pilot cars used a 4-cylinder, 35hp engine. In 1913, a 6-cylinder Pilot car was added and this was also the last year of the 4-cylinder Pilot cars. The 6-cylinder engine of 4.9-litres was built by Teetor and developed 90hp. For 1916, a 4.7-litre V8 was added to the Pilot car range. In this year the purchaser of a Pilot car had an odd choice of either right- or left-hand steering position, with centre controls. Pilot Model 6-45 originated in 1916, with a Teetor six of 3.8-litres. With variations only in the wheelbase, this Pilot car was built until the end in 1924. In 1922, a 6-cylinder Herschell-Spillman engine of 50hp was added as the Pilot Model 6-50 and was continued into 1924. In the last year of production of Pilot cars, three chassis were offered. Two Pilot cars had H-S engines and the smallest, the Pilot 6-45, had a Teetor unit.

GB, 1909 – 1914

(1) Motor Schools Ltd, London, N.W., 1909 – 1911

(2) Pilot Motors & Friction Cars Ltd, London, N.W., 1911 – 1914

The Pilot car was made by a firm who specialized in driving and maintenance instruction, but unlike the Academy this Pilot car was not provided with dual control. The main feature of the Pilot car was friction drive by belt and cone pulley, and a variety of engines were used. The Pilot cars using 16hp White & Poppe or 19.6 Hillman engines were only experimental, but from 1911 onwards two Pilot cars were catalogues, the smaller Pilot car with a single-cylinder 7hp Coventry-Simplex, and the larger Pilot car with a 10hp 4-cylinder Chapuis-Dornier engine. Mainly two-seater bodywork was provided on the Pilot car.

D, 1923 – 1925

Pilotwagen AG, Bannewitz; Werau

A 4-cylinder 6/30PS Pilot car was produced by this firm. After the Sächsische Waggonfabrik had acquired a controlling interest in the Pilot car company in 1924 the bodies were built in Werdau.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; GMN, GNG, HON

The information is written with the greatest of care. However, if you have any suggested amendments please contact us at office@prewarcar.com