1/16 1521 Minicraft 1901 De Dion Bouton Automobile - (ex Entex / Bandai / Union)
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG+
This is a large-scale model with excellent detail. It is molded in black, brass plate, nickel plate, tan and dark brown. It features steerable front wheels, full suspension, detailed undercarriage and full interior. Never started. The parts are still in the factory sealed bags with instructions. In 1901, Count Albert de Dion and M. George Bouton produced a remarkable engine that produced 3/4 horsepower at 1800 rpm. This was double the speed of the then famous Daimler 'High Speed' engine. Upon hearing of the engine, Daimler's engine engineer said that the motor would not last but 1/2 the time of a 500 HP engine. However, many of the de Dions are still running today. At first, de Dion Bouton used the engine for tricycles (which were popular at the time) and sold the engine to other manufacturers. The company then decided to make the first "people's car" that was affordable and easy to drive - the Type G was the result. It was powered by a water cooled engine of 4.5 HP and used a constant mesh gear system and famous 'de Dion axle', which was still used by sports cars into the 1970s. The car had a top speed of 26 MPH.
This item has been sold.
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