1905 – Demeester Voiturette Torpedo 8 ch

French registration papers
Chassis : 2975

Very rare
In the same family since 1966
Exceptional conservation condition

Passionate about motorbike and car racing, Léon Demeester associated with Dominique Lambejack - later a Bugatti dealer in Paris - founded the Demeester company in 1905 in a small factory in Courbevoie. They soon offered a small four-cylinder car with 8 hp (1,104 cm', 68 x 76 mm), equipped with a three-speed gearbox with a permanently engaged gearbox and a cardan shaft transmission system. The cars could also be fitted with a 358 cm3 single-cylinder, a 1104 cm3 four-cylinder or a 1303 cm3 10 bhp car produced from 1907 onwards. A few models with higher power took part in races for buggies - notably the Coupe des Carttes - in 1908 and 1909 on the fringes of the Dieppe Grand Prix. The Demeester was curiously called "Type Sultan" when it entered the race and this was certainly due to the fact that they were finer compared to their competitors in the class. In spite of the excellent quality of manufacture, high production costs and delivery times slowed down the enthusiasm of the few customers. In the end, Demeester stopped production in 1913. Impossible to say how many examples still exist, the model we present would be the only one known to this day...
In the same family for 55 years, this Torpedo is a 1905 model equipped with a 4 cylinder 1,104 cc engine. Purchased in 1955, it has not been driven for many years but is in exceptional condition. Perfectly preserved, this vehicle still has its original bodywork, which is so particular, still similar to horse-drawn carriages with a small access door at the rear. Complete, the car still has its Besnard headlights, spoked wheels with Demeester clamping, its Chaussons frères tanks and its original radiator. Superb, there is no doubt that the upholstery is the original one, and if it is cracked in places, it would be a shame to replace it. It is obvious that the car has been restored in the past but this was done intelligently without distorting the whole. Moreover, by completely removing the bonnet of the chassis, you can discover the original light green colour of the bodywork. Seeing this car in London Brighton would be logical considering the rarity of this small car. Reserved for ancestors built before December 31st 1904, some exceptions have already been made in the past for such cars.