Beschreibung
1923 Doriot Flandrin & Parant (DFP) \'Petite\'
Reg. no. BF 8214
Chassis no. 20142
Engine no. 0249
Doriot, Flandrin & Parant was founded by two former Peugeot and Clement-Bayard employees, Auguste Doriot and Ludovic Flandrin, in 1906. In 1908 Alexandre and Jules-René Parant joined the Doriot-Flandrin company, leading to the name Doriot, Flandrin & Parant, mercifully often shortened to DFP. In 1912, a certain W. O Bentley became, along with his brother, the official UK importer of DFP cars, and soon requested from the factory a sports version of the 2-litre 12/ 15. Called the 12/ 40, the resulting car was raced successfully and set many speed records in its class. Bentley’s exploits in DFPs received much public attention and was a great boost to the company’s reputation in Britain, but the racing programme was put on hold by the outbreak of war in 1914. Production of the pre-war range resumed in 1918, and in 1922 the 9. 5hp Petite was launched. A voiturette of the type so popular in France at the time, it featured an overhead valve 1. 1 litre engine and offered lively performance, also achieving some success in motorsport. DFP, though, were in trouble; sales had slumped in Britain as British manufacturers began to launch new post-war models, and production ended at the Courbevoie factory in 1926.
This 1923 DFP ‘Petite’ is in superb condition; imported from France in 2013, it has since been totally rebuilt, with a new body fabricated and new parts where required – for example, the engine has been totally rebuilt with new pistons. The only deviation from standard is a coil conversion. Running well, the only known issue with this fascinating French voiturette is a stiff clutch which could use some fettling. It comes with bills and a V5c. There is also a spare engine, block and radiator sold with the car which can be collected directly from the vendor in London, by mutual arrangement within two months of the auction.
This and 75 other cars will be sold by auction on October 28th at Chippenham, Wiltshire SN14 6LJ
