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Gaston Rivierre and the Contal (upd. distinction between a 'tandem d'entrainement' and Derny)
By Fons Alkemade: This year the world can commemorate the birth in 1862 of Gaston Rivierre. I don't think this 150th anniversary will actually be given any notice in automotive circles. Perhaps there will be some attention given to M. Rivierre in circles of those interested in the history of cycling, as he once was a famous coureur who won several classic cycle courses in the 1890s. He also built the first tandem d'entraînement (derny) and invented a hub which he sold under his own name in Paris around 1904. In the same period he must have become involved with the company founded by Camille Contal. Contal had been working in the battery and the electric vehicle industry but turned to so-called tricars with combustion engines in 1905.
Tricars became quite popular in the 1900s. Like the tricycles they were derived from motorcycles but had their own characteristics: two front wheels, one rear wheel, the passenger in front of the driver, a rather powerful engine and a maximum weight of 200 kilograms. Among the other French tricar builders of the period were Austral, Bruneau and Griffon (Continue at 'Read More')
Published:
Saturday October 13th, 2012
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Comments
Unknown
17 October 2012, 18:00
C.Gillingham
16 October 2012, 01:28
I remember watching the 2005 reenactment, and it was said that they were certain there were no remaining Contals left, anywhere. But I also remember reading in the November 1988 issue of "The Classic Motor Cycle" magazine, an article about one found in Belgium, at a dispersal sale for a museum (I've attached a photo, and probably breached countless copyrights).
The article starts off by saying that an engine and some frame parts existed in the UK. The article goes onto say a third Contal was found in France and was going to be taken to the UK for restoration. There are photos on the internet of a restored 1906 and a restored 1907, so perhaps these are some of the Contals mentioned in the article?
[img]http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss244/cdg999/DSC08812.jpg[/img]
Read more
The article starts off by saying that an engine and some frame parts existed in the UK. The article goes onto say a third Contal was found in France and was going to be taken to the UK for restoration. There are photos on the internet of a restored 1906 and a restored 1907, so perhaps these are some of the Contals mentioned in the article?
[img]http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss244/cdg999/DSC08812.jpg[/img]
Unknown
15 October 2012, 21:54
Dear Fons,
I must correct you, the motorcycle was derived from the tricycle, not the other way round.
De Dion Bouton invented the motor tricycle in 1895. This vehicle was a breakthrough because of its engine, a very light unit that could be run at much higher rpm than contemporary units.
The succes of the motor tricycle led to the development of both the light car and the motorcycle.
Incidentaly I saw a Contal engine for sale at Beaulieu this year.
Kind regards, Kees Boosman
Read more
I must correct you, the motorcycle was derived from the tricycle, not the other way round.
De Dion Bouton invented the motor tricycle in 1895. This vehicle was a breakthrough because of its engine, a very light unit that could be run at much higher rpm than contemporary units.
The succes of the motor tricycle led to the development of both the light car and the motorcycle.
Incidentaly I saw a Contal engine for sale at Beaulieu this year.
Kind regards, Kees Boosman
Unknown
15 October 2012, 12:57
The 2005 re-enactment of the 1907 Peking to Paris race was with original vehicles where possible - an Itala, a Spyker and two De Dion-Boutons. But there appeared to be no Contals left in the world, only a handful of photos from different angles. So a replica was built from a BMW F650 motorcycle engine, an Austin 7 front end and a custom-made frame. With much more power than the original, and a brand new body, the replica managed to finish the 60-day trip. (Word later came through of an unrestored Contal in Europe.)
According to the book written about that 2005 expedition, the original Contal didn't last long in the event.
The 2005 version was very reliable but the overall design was flawed and the suspension was woeful.
Bob Barker took lots of photos along the way - this one is of the replica Contal in front of a very recognisable Russian statue.
The book and DVD of the TV series are available at http://www.abc.net.au/tv/pekingtoparis/default.htm
(I will email the photo separately)
Read more
According to the book written about that 2005 expedition, the original Contal didn't last long in the event.
The 2005 version was very reliable but the overall design was flawed and the suspension was woeful.
Bob Barker took lots of photos along the way - this one is of the replica Contal in front of a very recognisable Russian statue.
The book and DVD of the TV series are available at http://www.abc.net.au/tv/pekingtoparis/default.htm
(I will email the photo separately)
Unknown
14 October 2012, 09:57
Didn't one, or was it two, Contals compete in the original Peking Paris race? Both abandonded somewhere in the Gobi desert I seem to recall. I wonder if they are still there?
Read more
Unknown
14 October 2012, 09:07
There is a distinction between a 'tandem d'entrainement' and a Derny. The latter is a 98cc, two-stroke motorcycle marketed in 1938 by former motorcycle racer Roger Derny from his factory in Paris. Modern versions of the Derny, to basically the same design, are still used in keirin cycle racing, as seen in the recent Olympics.
Read more
If you want to see an original, almost fit to be seen, and 20 years forgotten Moto tri Contal, go to the Lyon Epoqu'auto Show (November 9-11). you will see this "Tue Belle-Mère" on the Vintage Revival Montlhéry display.