Further car evolution. The 1st sport car - De Dion

De Dion-Bouton motorcar was constructed by De Dion-Bouton firm in Paris in 1903.

Albert de Dion, an extravagant viscount born in 1856 in Carquefous was nicknamed a “sport marquis” by his comrades, both because he was really good in fencing and he was among of the first motorists and one of the founders of French automobile club.

De Dion-Bouton and Trepardoux firm, formed in 1882, built the first steam-engines. In 1894 de Dion won the first car-race on Paris-Ruan track driving a steam-engine he constructed himself. After failing to win the several following races he decided that he would have more luck with petrol engines constructed by some Daimler from Stuttgart. Meanwhile marquise’s partner Trepardoux dissolved the alliance, afraid of potential bankruptcy. De Dion was not satisfied with Daimler’s engines making 700-900 revolutions per minute. He constructed machines making up to 3000 rpm.
In 1895 De Dion-Bouton firm constructed a small tricycle automobile equipped with a petrol engine making 0.55 kW (0.75 horsepower) with the following innovative elements: high-voltage electronic-plug ignition, interrupter and accumulator. This automobile became really popular and this kind of engine was used for building new models by over 100 firms like Delage, Renault, Febus, Adler and even an American one named Pierce-Arrow. De Dion-Bouton exhibited their first voiturette making 2.6 kW (3.6 horsepower) on a motor show in Paris.

This model of 1903 (see the article illustration) had a 1-cylinder engine of 942 cubic centimeters volume making 5.9 kW (8.4 horsepower).
For many years it was the most popular French car type. Its two-phase gearbox was operated with a lever located on the steering tube. With its total weight of 515 kilograms (without passengers) this automobile made up to 45 km/h. De Dion’s axle with characteristic permanent distance between the wheels and softer suspension was used for constructing this model. Mostly it was used for racing and sport cars, such as Horh, Opel and Daimler-Benz.

De Dion-Bouton firm ceased to exist in 1993 and its numerous products still decorate many European museums.