1923 Avions Voisin C3 Limousine

Gabriel and Charles Voisin began building airplanes in 1908. Though Charles died in 1912, Gabriel continued building their company, Avions Voisin, which became a major producer of aircraft during WWI. Following the war, military needs subsided and Voisin’s interests shifted towards producing automobiles, though aviation remained a large influence in his designs. The first model was the C1 in 1919, and just two years later, the C3 was introduced, debuting at the Paris Motor Show in 1921.

The C3 differed from the C1 with the addition of front brakes as well as longitudinal leaf-spring suspension that replaced the cantilevered leaf springs of the outgoing model. The C3 was offered in short and long wheelbases and only about 15 long-wheelbase examples, like the car offered here, are thought to survive today. The C3 was mostly offered with factory-built coachwork, though a few examples were entrusted to outside coachbuilders.

This striking C3 Limousine features factory Voisin coachwork finished in maroon with black fenders and is equipped with dual rear-mounted spare wheels and an external trunk. It would make an attractive entry point into the iconic French brand. During the Mullin Collection’s ownership, the C3 has been featured in a Voisin exhibit at the Mullin Automotive Museum and was also displayed at the 2013 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.

Notes Please note that this vehicle is titled as C3L1946.