1899 De Dion-Bouton

Body Style:

Tricycle


Engine:

2 1/4 hp, 270 cc, air-cooled, single cylinder


Transmission:

2-speed


Wheelbase:

40 inch


Body Construction:

Tubular steel


Exterior Color:

Black


Interior Color:

Black

More Information:

Count Albert De Dion, born into a lineage of French nobility and engineering prowess, harbored an early fascination with steam engines. Collaborating with George Bouton, he ventured into constructing steam-powered carriages, culminating in the creation of numerous operational vehicles by 1895.

However, by the early 1890s, De Dion’s conviction in the supremacy of steam engines waned, prompting him to delve into the realm of internal combustion gasoline engines. In a groundbreaking move in 1894, he conceptualized a pioneering single-cylinder engine measuring 137 cubic centimeters (cc), featuring electric ignition and achieving a remarkable speed of 3,000 rpm.