1898 Darracq Phaeton
Darracq Phaeton 1898
Cylinder number - 1
Power - 5 bhp
Max. speed - 40 kph
Alexander Darracq was born in Bordeaux in 1855 and he was one of the fathers of the French automobile industry, one of the first entrepreneurs who believed on its potentials. After selling the English brand and production of “Gladiator” bicycle, Darracq founded the Usines Perfecta for the construction of bicycle and car parts; to start the car production he bought a project already developed by Lèon Bollée, another French designer of the automobile industry beginnings. In the early 1900s, several European manufacturers used the Darracq patents to build their cars, as well as Darracq started with several enterprises abroad of France (in Italy he founded the Darracq Italiana from which was later born the A.L.F.A.).
The rolling chassis shown in the Museum is the first Darracq design supplied of Bollée engine for a 4-wheeler car and probably it was originally fitted with a phaeton body from which it takes after its model name. It is interesting to note the central member chassis, unusual at the time, and the steering wheel central position (the driver was sitting on the left).
Of the three constructed copies, this is the only one remained.
Cylinder number - 1
Power - 5 bhp
Max. speed - 40 kph
Alexander Darracq was born in Bordeaux in 1855 and he was one of the fathers of the French automobile industry, one of the first entrepreneurs who believed on its potentials. After selling the English brand and production of “Gladiator” bicycle, Darracq founded the Usines Perfecta for the construction of bicycle and car parts; to start the car production he bought a project already developed by Lèon Bollée, another French designer of the automobile industry beginnings. In the early 1900s, several European manufacturers used the Darracq patents to build their cars, as well as Darracq started with several enterprises abroad of France (in Italy he founded the Darracq Italiana from which was later born the A.L.F.A.).
The rolling chassis shown in the Museum is the first Darracq design supplied of Bollée engine for a 4-wheeler car and probably it was originally fitted with a phaeton body from which it takes after its model name. It is interesting to note the central member chassis, unusual at the time, and the steering wheel central position (the driver was sitting on the left).
Of the three constructed copies, this is the only one remained.
