Leon Bollee 2hp Tamden Two Seater 1897

Vintage and Prestige are proud to offer this 1897 Léon Bollée 2hp Tamden Two Seater For Sale. Registration: BS 8436 Chassis no: 551 Engine no: 551 Perhaps reacting against his father’s total commitment to steam transport, young Léon Bollée saw greater potential in the internal combustion engine and designed his first such powered vehicle, a tandem two-seater, three-wheeler as early as 1895.

Production was based at Le Mans and the single-cylinder, air-cooled, engine was offered in two versions developing either 2hp or 3hp, giving these machines an amazingly fast turn of speed. Three forward speeds were standard and the tubular frame owed much to bicycle manufacturing methods.

Bollée’s significant invention in this machine was the driving wheel axle carried by levers pivoted on the frame of the vehicle, allowing the movement of the axle backwards or forwards to increase or release belt tension for gear changing.

The engine was mounted horizontally with radiating cooling ribs and ignition was by hot tube, using an oil-fired burner, a similar system to that of Panhard-Levassor. Contemporary motor racing driver, Charles Jarrott, in his standard work, ‘Ten Years of Motors and Motor Racing’ referred to the presence of Léon Bollées at the start of the 1896 London to Brighton Run.

Today Léon Bollées are accepted for both the LBVCR and the equally prestigious Sunbeam M.C.C. Pioneer Run to Brighton. This car carries a VCC dating plate recording the date of manufacture as 1897, per VCC Dating Certificate no. 2507, and also a Pioneer Certificate No 1768, making it eligible for all of the key veteran runs.

The condition of this Leon Bollee is great with all metalwork and wood being original. The leather is a beautifully patinated green hide. The spray carburettor is the original Phenix, a well working early device. The 3-speed gearbox is in good condition and working well. The only deviation from the original is the replacement of the hot-tube ignition by a trembler coil and spark plug.

The Leon Bollee runs on a 6 volt trembler coil.