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Mystery or not? A possible GP car in Argentina

Sometimes a photograph appears that raises more questions than it answers. This intriguing image was found by Charles Walmsley from Buenos Aires in an Argentine magazine from 1913 and shows an early racing car in a muddy setting.

At first glance, it appears to be a typical Grand Prix car from the period 1908–1912: a long bonnet with ventilation louvres, large spoked wheels and an open chassis without a proper body. The driver sits far back, which suggests a powerful engine at the front, characteristic of early GP cars.

 

The first thought quickly turns to a French manufacturer; Charles himself suggested Cottin & Desgouttes, known for participating in, among others, the 1911 Grand Prix. The proportions, the shape of the radiator and the overall form seem to correspond. However, caution is required. Many French marques of that period built cars that looked very similar. Without a visible badge, race number or clearly distinguishing feature, a definitive identification remains difficult.

 

The location also raises questions. The photograph was published in Argentina, and it is unclear whether the car was actually present there or merely used as an illustration. If the car was indeed in South America, the question arises whether it was a fully imported racing car or a chassis that was locally modified or fitted with bodywork.

 

In short: a fascinating mystery. At least for us, perhaps you can tell us straight away whether this car is indeed a Cottin & Desgouttes, or something else entirely. We would be delighted to hear from you.

 

Published:
Monday April 13th, 2026
Ariejan Bos
22 April, 13:11
I am somewhat disappointed that Mr Lalanne has not responded yet. Therefore I feel compelled to share my thoughts on our difference of opinion. It is true that a Lorraine-Dietrich turned up as a barnfind in Argentina in the 1990s. It was a 6.3-litre 28/35 hp sports model, which was subsequently fully restored and sold in 2022 at an Artcurial auction as a ‘type course’. A photo of the car as a barnfind is included here. Comparing this image with the mystery racer, it should be clear to me and hopefully to others that these are two completely different cars. Moreover, the Lorraine-Dietrich is not a true racer, but a powerful model just above the mid-range class. For Grand Prix racers, a power output of at least 60 hp was certainly a requirement.
If I’m wrong, I’d be happy to be corrected, but only with convincing evidence.
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Juan Molinari
16 April, 01:47
Interesting discussion. I regret to tell readers that Mr Lalanne’s expertise makes it abundantly clear that he is almost certainly correct. We are fortunate to have him in this debate, and his contributions will no doubt be instrumental in unravelling the mystery raised by another distinguished connoisseur, Mr Walmsley.
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Charles Walmsley
15 April, 23:13
This is perhaps a similar car today in USA
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henri lalanne
15 April, 16:29
I’m not attacking you, .......... but when I write something, it’s because I’m certain
I can take little credit for this, as this photo and the one published in the supplement to the newspaper La Nation
were in Mr Roth’s flat in Buenos Aires, where I was received on several occasions; and you should know that his brother owned a Minerva racing car, of which there are photos in old Argentine magazines . The Roth family owned thousands of hectares of farmland in the Argentine Pampas.
If you know Gerard Paquet, he will confirm this.
He had come to Argentina to view and buy this car, and when the sale fell through despite a ‘huge’ offer,
I sold him another 8-litre Lorraine, which he still owns.
You can clearly recognise the typical bonnet of the Lorraine Dietrichs,
but you need good eyesight!!!!! And, above all, you need to know these cars well!!!
And do I know these cars well????? Right now, I actually have that famous 1908 Lorraine for sale
and a 1909 Cottin-Desgouttes 8.5-litre, also chain-driven.
No hard feelings, Mr Bos

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Je ne vous attaque pas ,..........mais quand j'écris quelque chose ,c'est que je suis sûr
Je n'ai guère de mérites car cette photo et celle parue dans le complément du journal La Nation
étaient dans l'appartement de Mr Roth a Buenos aires ,ou j'ai été reçu plusieurs fois et sachez que le frère possédait une Minerva de course ,dont il y a des photos sur des vieilles revues argentines .La famille Roth possédait des milliers d'hectares de culture dans la pampa argentine
Si vous connaissez Gerard Paquet il vous le confirmera ,
Il était venu en Argentine pour voir et acheter cette voiture et devant le refus malgrès une offre "énorme"
je lui ai vendu une autre Lorraine 8 litres qu'il possède toujours,
On reconnait très bien le capot typique des Lorraines Dietrich
mais il faut avoir une bonne vue !!!!!et surtout bien connaitre ces voitures !!!
Et si je connais bien ces voitures ?????en ce moment j'ai justement a la vente cette fameuse Lorraine de 1908
et une Cottin -Desgouttes 8,5 litres,de 1909 aussi chain drive .
Sans rancune Mr Bos
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Ariejan Bos
15 April, 19:22
Mr Lalanne, I do not doubt your expertise, and I hope you will not cast doubt on mine again in the future. However, in this instance, you will have to convince me with images rather than words. So I still stand by my request to see photographs of this car.
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Graham Rankin
15 April, 12:52
May we see the other photos please ?
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henri lalanne
14 April, 17:28
If you want to play the tough guy, you’d better think twice
It was I who discovered this car in the Roth family’s barn, where it had been sitting since the 1920s, and if you’re interested, I have over 20 photos taken from every angle
So stop playing the expert and, above all, misleading readers.
Besides, this car is very well known in Argentina, and I don’t understand why the great expert from Walmsley made this request?

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quand on veut jouer au plus fort mieux vaut refléchir
C'est moi qui ai découvert cette voiture dans la grange de la famille Roth ou elle etait arrétée depuis les années 20 et si vous interessé je dispose de plus de 20 photos prisent sous tous les angles
Donc arrétez de jouer a l'expert et surtout d'induire les lecteurs dans l'erreur
D'ailleurs cette voiture est très connue en Argentine ,et je ne comprends pas pourquoi le grand expert de Walmsley a fait cette demande?
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Ariejan Bos
15 April, 08:29
I don't understand this fierce attack. I'm always willing to admit a mistake, but I need to see proof. So show it. And besides, I don't know what 'the great expert from Walmsley' has to do with it.
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Ariejan Bos
14 April, 09:29
I agree with the Cottin & Desgouttes suggestion, as all details (as far as visible) fit with this make. Probably it is a racing model produced between about 1908 and 1910. It is definitely not the 1911 Grand Prix de France model, because that had a very conspicuous frame with a downward bent just after the bonnet. C&D was active especially in local racing events and in hill climbs.
Lorraine-Dietrich was different in appearance, like in shape of dumb-irons, hub caps, size and pattern of the louvres and more. I assume that by tracks are meant chains. Both C&D and L&D had chains, so there is no difference.
About the presence of Cottin & Desgouttes in Argentina I have no information, but I could find that a C&D was active in a 1911 Cuban race, so at least one racer arrived at American soil. I’d be interested to see the photo in La Nation including full reference details. And I want to add that caption information on car makes was even in those days not always correct. Therefore I only trust what I see.
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henri lalanne
14 April, 06:11
Steve Diggins, before you write, take a good look at the photo and you’ll see that the car has tracks

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Steve Diggins avant d'ecrire ,regardez bien la photo et vous verrez que la voiture est a chaines
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Steve Diggins
13 April, 09:41
It kooks like a Stoddart dayton to me.
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lalanne
13 April, 09:05
This is the 6.3-litre Lorraine Dietrich from Roth; it has no number, so it hasn’t been in any races or Grand Prix events. It’s in normal condition; there’s a similar photo in the supplement of *La Nation*.

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C'est la Lorraine Dietrich 6,3 litres de Roth,il n'y a pas de numero ,donc pas de courses ni de GP ,usage normal ,il y a une photo similaire dans le supplément de La Nation
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