The oldest car on the event (and the oldest functioning car in the
world) was Tim Moores' 1884 De Dion, Bouton & Trepardoux. I went to
Tim's house last year and got a chance to see this car up close. I
was not surprised to see how this steam powered car had its roots in
road locomotives. It had one annular tube boiler fired by coal. The
steam at about 170 psi would go to one of two side piston assemblies.
If you wanted to turn you could augment steam flow to one side or the
other. These early steam boilers were not exactly safe and did not
require any regulation. I personally don't care to be near a steam
boiler at pressure especially one that is 112 years old. It has
intriguing beauty with all the valves, dials, handles and brass. It
reminded me of some of the Jules Verne movies I had seen.
In its pedigree stands one very notable and historic accolade- it is
the recipient of the first "checkered flag". I don't think it got a
flag but the win of the FIRST ever motor race (from Paris to Neuilly
on April 28, 1887) is a historic milestone.
Tim has of other cars and his mechanics take great pride in making
them work. In fact his top mechanic was instrumental in figuring
out how to run the Fisson in last years event. He puttered around the
engine bay while I cranked as best I could (for nearly 1 1/2 hours!)
until this thing ran.
The 1904 / 24hp Pope-Toledo was flown into London not completely
assembled. Just 14 days before the event this car was in boxes. It
had been completely (every nut/bolt/screw) restored. The engine was
in boxes. The upholstory was not cut or sewn yet. A team of a dozen
or more people labored 24 hours a day to put this thing together. The
engine was just turned over once just hours before it had to depart
for London. Two mechanics arrived with the car for frantic last
minute preparation. They finnaly put the number plate on the night
before the event #670. This car was just absolutely beautifull. The
leather was superb. The brass was mirror-like. It sounded good.
I'm sorry to say (this is still unconfirmed) that a Pope-Toledo burned
while on the Rally. I'm led to believe that this #680 is gone.
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