Beschreibung
DESCRIPTION
Hotchkiss was an armaments manufacturer which diversified into cars in the early years of the twentieth century. Just 50 Model AG Tourers were produced in 1914 before the company was instructed by the French government to return to making guns as World War One overran Europe. Interestingly, the 49th of this total of 50 somehow found its way to Melbourne, along with several 6-cylinder chassis which were destined for the Melbourne Fire Brigade. The AG served as the brigade’s staff car. According to automotive historian, the late Michael Sedgwick, the other 49 AGs were all destined for the French army for ambulances and staff cars on the Western Front. Sedgwick believed that number 49 might have been the sole surviving Type AG. The Hotchkiss has virtually no electrics, the only wiring being the leads from the magneto to the four spark plugs and another lead to earth the magneto to stop the engine. The crankcase is aluminium. Neither the cylinder head nor the sump is removable. Maximum speed is 50 miles per hour, attained at 2000rpm, making it a surprisingly long-legged cruiser for its day. The footbrake operates on a drum on the transmission shaft while the external handbrake slows the rear wheels. Regarded by experts as being on a par with Rolls-Royce for quality, the early Hotchkiss cars were owned mostly by the European rich. The firm continued to make cars until 1954 but after World War One never again produced cars of equivalent quality and status to the Model AG.
HISTORY
- Almost certainly the sole surviving example of its kind
- In the one family since the 1960s
- Regarded by many in its day as equivalent in quality to a Rolls-Royce
- Provenance very well documented
This very special Hotchkiss was rediscovered in the 1960s, where it lay abandoned near West Wyalong. It seems that the car was driven up from Shepparton in about 1930 and some six years later, a Mr Taylor from the West Wyalong district acquired it in payment of a debt. He used his Hotchkiss for about two years before leaving it in a friend’s paddock, where it rested in peace for a generation. Between about 1968 and 1975, the car was completely restored to the highest standard. The rebuild of this unusual car necessarily entailed the making of patterns for castings and the manufacture of many components. This much-treasured and unique machine – still in wonderful condition – has remained with the same family from the 1960s until now. It comes with a certificate of authentication from the Veteran Car Club of Australia, dated 15 April 1971, and several magazine articles documenting Hotchkiss history and telling the tale of this spectacular specimen. Almost certainly, this is the sole surviving Hotchkiss AG Tourer. It is testimony not just to the quality of the marque but speaks of the very early years of European motoring and is renowned worldwide in veteran and vintage circles. This is a very special opportunity to acquire one of the finest cars of the immediate pre-World War One era.
This vehicle is currently not registered and will be sold unregistered.
Note: Shannons advise that all potential buyers research all vehicles before purchase to authenticate originality.
