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What is it? Quiz #414
Here we have a nearly forgotten car maker. Even the most respected classic car encyclopedia dedicates only a few lines to this Belgian brand, and the information is not very concise. The picture shown here was taken at a Spanish Auto Show in the mid 1920s, where two different models were exhibited: the "Deluxe" pictured here, and the "Sport", with a slightly smaller engine. The most impressive appearance was secured by its huge dimensions, plus the Rolls- Royce look-a-like radiator. The beautiful body - of unknown origin (Vanden Plas?) - has a single center door and wrap around windscreen. The chassis that is very low and advanced for its age gave room for a large eight cylinder engine. This last feature was noticed by a little number "8" placed at the center of the radiator cover. Also are noticeable two strange brake devices -or whatever- at the front part of the chassis...
Well, we know this is a hard one and probably this picture has never been published before, but remember, very few cars were made in Belgium. As usual, we would like to hear those details that are unknown even to us. Be sure to send in before Monday, February 22nd in order to have a chance to win the infamous PreWarCar T-shirt. Even better to check the Rules under 'Read more' first. Enjoy weekend!
Published:
Friday February 19th, 2016
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Unknown
25 February 2016, 19:21
Raoul
22 February 2016, 08:00
It's a Dunamis from 1923-24 made in Antwerp with the cooperation of Jules Miesse
Regards
Raoul
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Regards
Raoul
Unknown
22 February 2016, 05:24
Beverley-Barnes, built in Barnes, South West London. Principals of the company were all Belgian – Monsieur Dolphens, Monsieur Flamand and Count Lenaerts. Dolphens was the engineer with Flamand and Lenaerts the financiers. The vast two acre factory incorporated all aspects of engineering and in the immediate post-war years the company was engaged in the manufacture of parts for the motor industry, supplying the infant Bentley Motors Ltd. with machining facilities. Only a handful of cars were built between 1923 and 1930 – estimated numbers range from fifteen to twenty five cars in total. All Beverley-Barnes cars featured impressive straight eight cylinder, overhead camshaft engines with aluminium pistons. The company exhibited some of its limited production at international motor exhibitions, possibly as a promotion exercise for its other precision engineering facilities. In October 1924 the company built its first 30/90hp model, featuring a straight eight engine of 4,826cc, offering a top speed in excess of 70mph. Power was transmitted through a four-speed gearbox and promotional literature referred to a chassis of exceptional width with very low centre of gravity. Braking was assisted by a Dewandre servo-vacuum control. 90bhp was developed at 2,700rpm. Prices were not inexpensive, ranging from £1,150 for the Sports model to £1,350 for the Saloon.
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Unknown
21 February 2016, 22:50
When french car maker Sizaire stopped building cars in 1929, a Belgian firm located in Haren, near Brussels, took over and continued under the name Sizaire-Belge, later changed to Belga Rise. The Rolls-Royce style radiator was already a law issue in the Sizaire era. Powertrains were either a 3 liter 6 cylinder Knight sleeve-valve engine or 4 litre 8 cylinders, bought from FN, Minerva, Continental or Talbot. Some of them were ordered by the Belgian army. 30 were made till 1938. One known example (model BR8) is on display at the Autoworld Museum in Brussels.
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Unknown
21 February 2016, 20:37
It’s a Dunamis. Featuring a 3.38 liter inline-8 (70x110, sidevalve). Cars were exhibited at both the 1922 and 1923 Brussels Salon. Few, if any, were sold.
In publicity 40, longue rue neuve, Anvers is mentioned. Dunamis (Greek for power) is linked to Miesse whom at the time were experimenting with interconnected front brakes, they reduced brake force on the inner wheel when turning to avoid skidding.
Dunamis was playboy Theo Verellen, heir of Theophile Verellen who made his fortune making cigars.
By 1926 it was clear Theo’s undertakings were a failure, being close to bankrupt he fled to Persia.
And yes, I'm an earlier winner
Read more
In publicity 40, longue rue neuve, Anvers is mentioned. Dunamis (Greek for power) is linked to Miesse whom at the time were experimenting with interconnected front brakes, they reduced brake force on the inner wheel when turning to avoid skidding.
Dunamis was playboy Theo Verellen, heir of Theophile Verellen who made his fortune making cigars.
By 1926 it was clear Theo’s undertakings were a failure, being close to bankrupt he fled to Persia.
And yes, I'm an earlier winner
Unknown
21 February 2016, 19:42
In december 1922, at the Brussels car show,the Antwerp tabacco magnate Theo Verellen presented a rolling chassis and a saloon of the Dunamis, a new luxuary car. Dunamis (Greek word for "power") had a 8 cylinder side valve engine of 3386 cc and brakes on all wheels. Only 2 prototypes were built and assembled in the Miesse factory.In the adverts the car was called "The Belgian Super Car" After the 1923 Brussels show, the project faded away, due to lack of interest and the strong competition from established luxury brands such as Minerva and Excelsior.
PS. I'm an earlier winner (2)
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PS. I'm an earlier winner (2)
Unknown
21 February 2016, 15:30
Das ist ein DUNAMIS der Automobiles Dunamis, 40, Longe Rue Neuve, Anvers (Belgique), ein Luxuxauto mit einem seitengesteuerten 3,4 Ltr.-8-Zyl.-Reihenmotor (70 - 100, 25HP), 4-Gang-Getriebe und 4-Rad-Bremsen. Auf dem Brüsseler Auto-mobilsalon 1922 wurde die hier gezeigte 6-Fenster-Limousine und ein unkarossiertes Fahrgestell ausgestellt (vermutlich die Prototypen, die für Dunamis bei der Firma J. Miesse et Cie in Brüssel gebaut worden waren). Nach einem weiteren Auftritt am Salon in Brüssel 1923 wurde das Projekt aber vermutlich eingestellt, das von dem Tabakfabrikanten (?) Theo Varellen aus Antwerpen initiiert und finanziert worden war.
Quellen: Kupélian/Sirtaine, De geschiedenis van de Belgische Auto (1980) und Georgano, Automobil-Enzyklopädie (1968 und 2000).
In dem Kupélian/Sirtaine-Buch findet man auch eine sehr schöne Plakat-Wiedergabe mit der gezeichneten Darstellung eines DUNAMIS Dual-cowl Phaeton with flared wings (wie die Amerikaner sagen würden), allerdings auf das Jahr 1913 datiert (was vermutlich ein Druckfehler sein dürfte).
Read more
Quellen: Kupélian/Sirtaine, De geschiedenis van de Belgische Auto (1980) und Georgano, Automobil-Enzyklopädie (1968 und 2000).
In dem Kupélian/Sirtaine-Buch findet man auch eine sehr schöne Plakat-Wiedergabe mit der gezeichneten Darstellung eines DUNAMIS Dual-cowl Phaeton with flared wings (wie die Amerikaner sagen würden), allerdings auf das Jahr 1913 datiert (was vermutlich ein Druckfehler sein dürfte).
Unknown
21 February 2016, 00:52
From:
1. AUTOS-PHOTOS: Voitures De Belgique(jacques-leretrait.blogspot.com).
- ADK(Societe Anonyme Automobiles De Kuyper SA)
1923-1930 Modele 8- 1927(Rolls Royce at top of page).
2. IMAGINE PHOTOS Michel Lecerf/March 1, 2001/Brussels Autoworld.
- two tone green "un petit air de Rolls Royce pour cette 'BELGA RISE'"(car is down the images, with RR like marque radiator rectangle).
BELGA RISE, 1928- 1935, although large, 6 cylinder.
Hey, a hidden secret of the antique automotive world, Jay Leno was preceeded by Johnny Carson, where did those golf compartments come from? I like the Belga.
Read more
1. AUTOS-PHOTOS: Voitures De Belgique(jacques-leretrait.blogspot.com).
- ADK(Societe Anonyme Automobiles De Kuyper SA)
1923-1930 Modele 8- 1927(Rolls Royce at top of page).
2. IMAGINE PHOTOS Michel Lecerf/March 1, 2001/Brussels Autoworld.
- two tone green "un petit air de Rolls Royce pour cette 'BELGA RISE'"(car is down the images, with RR like marque radiator rectangle).
BELGA RISE, 1928- 1935, although large, 6 cylinder.
Hey, a hidden secret of the antique automotive world, Jay Leno was preceeded by Johnny Carson, where did those golf compartments come from? I like the Belga.
Unknown
20 February 2016, 22:43
Is that a Minerva? As you say, hardy written about, featured or seen if that is what it is.
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Unknown
20 February 2016, 21:42
Modestly described as a „Supervoiture“ or „Super-Auto“ in contemporary advertisements, the Dunamis (ancient Greek for „strength“ or „power“) was the brainchild of Antwerp tobacco dealer Théo Verellen, who set up a design office in Anvers. The type A-8 – powered by a 3.2 litre (later 3.4 litre) straight-eight side-valve engine with aluminium pistons – was introduced in January 1923, built by Miesse in Anderlecht. Output from the twin-carburetor engine was 75 hp. Not surprisingly, the well-proven Miesse four-wheel brake system was used. The car shown on your photograph featured two doors on the right-hand side. It is said only 5 cars were produced.
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Unknown
20 February 2016, 18:43
I would stake your life that this is a BELGA RISE, 1928-1934(initially licensed by Sizaire-Naudin, perhaps a 6 cylinder 1934.
Special vehicle!
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Special vehicle!
Unknown
20 February 2016, 11:31
Dunamis R8 The belgian marque Dunamis asked „J. Miesse et Cie.“ in Bruxelles to design some Prototype cars for them. Two types were made: A Sedan with a 3,386 ccm In-line-8cylinder-engine and a Sportsmodel with a slightly smaller engine capacity. Both cars came up to the market and the autoshows (Bruxelles 1922/23) between 1922 und 1926. To me its unknown how many cars were sold. The cars were built under Theo Verellen.
Best regards,
Malte Jürgens
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Best regards,
Malte Jürgens
Unknown
20 February 2016, 10:49
In 1930 at the Brussels Salon the 8 cylinder FN was introduced. This model was built until 1935, 371 were made.
An almost similar body was built by Hofkens, coachbuilder from Antwerp, on a 4 cylinder FN 2200F from 1924
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An almost similar body was built by Hofkens, coachbuilder from Antwerp, on a 4 cylinder FN 2200F from 1924
Raoul
20 February 2016, 10:16
I think that the make is a DUNAMIS from 1923-24 made in Antwerp in coopération with Jules Miesse.
kind regards
Raoul
Read more
kind regards
Raoul
BELIEVE IT OR NOT, this thing "BURNED COAL", was the only "non classified" vehicle, and placed 53 or 95, M. Ferragreti and General A. Agostini(driver/passenger).
OF COURSE, everyone knows by now, "ALFA ROMEO 6C 1750 GS GASOGENO"!