A French monster mystery

• 

This most intriguing photograph comes from Frenchman Gilles Chabantous, who recently acquired it. Like us, he has no idea what the car might be. Gilles writes: “This is a photograph I bought as part of a collection. I have no information about it. If anyone knows…”

It is certainly an image that fires the imagination. We have seen large, round radiators before, but nothing quite like the one pictured here. Surely this must be a home-built creation? What can we decipher from the visible chassis and suspension? An exhaust pipe emerges low down on the right-hand side of that enormous egg-shaped bonnet, while the steering wheel is also on the right. And are there really no front brakes?

Unfortunately, the passage of time has taken its toll on the photograph itself, perhaps concealing some interesting clues. Look closely, however, and you may just be able to make out that this monster was road-registered, too. Sadly, we cannot decipher much of the registration number. The only other clue appears to be the year ‘1914’, written in the bottom-right corner.

So… does anyone have any ideas?

Words by Jeroen Booij
Photograph courtesy of Gilles Chabantous

Make a comment, ask a question, give your opinion, share additional information or start a discussion by filling in the fields below.