A French car and rail manufacturer from 1883 to 1932, De Dion-Bouton was formed when Jules-Albert de Dion dreamed of making a steam automobile but lacked the expertise. De Dion found two engineers, Georges Bouton and Charles Trepardoux, to join him as partners in De Dion, Bouton et Trepardoux. They produced a successful steam car in 1883, but by 1889, De Dion was convinced that steam was not the answer for the automobile and focused his efforts on the internal combustion engine. In 1894, Trepardoux left the partnership, still focused on steam engines. The company became De Dion-Bouton et Compagnie and were soon manufacturing what are considered to be the first high-speed, lightweight internal combustion engines. The company licensed these engines to over 150 manufacturers, mostly for motorized bicycles, with their own popular and well-regarded passenger vehicles following shortly thereafter.

De Dion invented rear-axle suspension technology known as a dead axle or tube which connects the rear wheels only. The rear end differential and universal joints are attached to the frame and not to the axle, and this design can still be found in production today.

For almost a decade, De Dion-Bouton was the largest automobile manufacturer in the world. In 1900, the company hand built 400 cars and 3,200 engines. By 1904, production had increased to 2,000 cars and 40,000 engines. During WWI, the company concentrated on military production. After the war, it attempted to regain its popularity without success, and automobile production ceased in 1931.

This 1911 Type DY, chassis 37, was acquired by the Mullin Collection from a Swiss collector, who had purchased it at auction in 2006 from Prince Rainier’s collection in Monaco. While no historical documentation accompanies the car, it is fitted with handsome open tourer coachwork, and appears to be the subject of an older restoration, finished in cream with a tan interior. As an early four-cylinder model, this rare automobile deserves your close attention.

*Please note that all of the Lots in this Auction have been in long-term static storage at the Mullin Automotive Museum and may not be currently operational. They will require mechanical attention and in some cases significant restoration prior to any road use.