Steam Carriage – 1894 De Dion (pic)

[spankybird]

Steam Carriage – 1894 De Dion

This is the most extraordinary diecast model that I have seen. This is a model of a 1894 de dion steam carriage. The steam engine can be separated from the carriage. The prototype was part of a race from Paris to Rouen, a distance of 126 km. It had an average speed of 18.6 km/h. The race took place on July 22, 1894. This machine came in first place but was reduced to second place because of some damage it received during the race.

















Oh yah, it’s in 1/43 scale.

tom
[8D][:D][:p]

[Anonymous]

According to this link, ( http://www.rvhotlinecanada.com/history/MHM/oldone.htm ) it was "disqualified from an award because two men were needed to operate it". Sounds to me like somebody bribed the judges.


And this one, ( http://www.krbaker.demon.co.uk/charbens/dedionbouton.html ) with some really neat and probably expensive stuff, says they were the 1st company to offer cars for sale.

Bob

[spankybird]

Bob , those are great links. The info I posted was included with the model. It stated that they were awarded second place, even thou they came in first. The reason stated was because of some damage they obtained from the rough (or more likely lack of) roads.

Part of the conditions of the race was how well the cars performed as well as when they finished.

[Anonymous]

Interesting.

An interesting aside to steam tractor racing. In the 1960's the artist Jean Tingley raced a steam tractor in a moto-cross "Lemans" type race in europe. I've seen some funny footage of Farraris blasting past his lumbering steam tractor. I don't think he won.