Preservation Peugeot: PreWarCar presents an outstanding oily-rag veteran

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

From the very first days of motor-car manufacture, there existed a desire to make automobiles more widely affordable, even if "affordable" by the standards of the early 20th century simply meant "affordable to the uppermost echelons of the middle-class." This resulted in a surge of little voiturettes, most typically with two seats and a single-cylinder engine, of which the best-known are perhaps the 6hp De Dion-Boutons and the English Humberette, but Peugeot's 5½hp Bébé model was also a significant addition to the field.

As one of the world's oldest car-makers, which produced its first steam-powered locomotive carriage in 1889, Peugeot had an impressively broad range by 1902, spanning everything from little quadricycles for relatively cash-strapped motorists to big, Mercédès-style four-cylinders for the great and the good. Near the bottom of the range was the Bébé, which was introduced in 1900 with a 785 c.c. engine, three-speed gearbox and tubular chassis. The engine used automatic inlet valves, and by 1903 it was the only Peugeot still to have that feature, all the other models having received mechanically-operated valves.

The Baby name would later be applied to other small Peugeots during the Edwardian era, but the original models had helped to establish a strong market for Peugeots in Britain, in part due to the publicity efforts of dealer Charles Friswell. At a time when business was conducted along decidedly sober lines, Friswell managed to generate attention for his activities by writing sheer nonsense. His early advertising slogans included:

• Why does the Baby Peugeot? That's silly, isn't it? But it does.
• SUCCESS, SUCCEEDS, SUCCESS: try and say that quickly six times and then say Baby Peugeot.
• You don't mind me being here, do you?
• Baby Peugeot has no infantile complaints.
• I have recently taken to motoring. I find it most fascinating.
• Who called me Baby Pugdog?

Eventually, Friswell followed these with: "People say: Friswell's advertisements are absurd. So do we; but if they were not you would not read them." Friswell's Automobile Palace on London's Holborn Viaduct was, indeed, a palatial garage, apparently with space for more than 200 cars and 100 carriages, plus a motorcycle department, but we begin to digress, because the Baby Peugeot seen here was not one of Friswell's sales.

Its first owner, one Captain Kelly, bought it new from the 1902 Paris Salon. Its history is then a blank until 1946, when we learn of it being owned by Bernard Wood of Whepstead, Suffolk. In May, 1947, it had the good fortune to fall into the hands of another Suffolk man who was among the ranks of early enthusiasts, Kenneth Bowyer of Kirtling. It seems the car had been cared for well enough in its early life that Bowyer did not have to undertake any serious restoration, and he drove the Peugeot to Madeira Drive in the 1949 Veteran Car Run, when it was already taking on a pleasingly oily-rag appearance. It was in February, 1949, that it received the Veteran Car Club Dating Certificate no. 139. Bowyer retained the Peugeot until his death in 1988, after which it was owned by the noted historic racer and collector Neil Corner, who undertook several more Brightons.

With more recent owners, the Peugeot has continued to be enjoyed on the Brighton Run, and one occasion it was even honoured with the title of Most Original Veteran at the Veteran Car Concours on Regent Street. The following years have been extremely kind to the little voiturette, and at 123 years old, it makes for a beautiful sight with its original paintwork, upholstery and Gamage-Nulites lamps. Although it may be an occasional Brighton Runner, until now there have been few opportunities to inspect the Baby Peugeot close-up. That's about to change, though, because we're displaying it on the PreWarCar.com stand at Salon Rétromobile, alongside a similarly well-preserved 1934 Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio and an immaculate 1927 Amilcar C6 which has recently been assembled from a kit of parts.

Along with all the other wonderful pre-war cars which will be on display, Salon Rétromobile promises a spectacle which should not be missed. Held at the Expo Porte de Versailles in Paris, the show opens on February 5th and runs to 9th. To find out more or purchase tickets, visit www.retromobile.com.

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