Registration no. Not currently UK registered
Chassis no. 16064
Engine no. 40402
Estimate: £85,000 - £120,000
• Rare survivor of a well-respected pioneering French manufacturer
• Believed resident in Italy most of its life
• Restored over a period of 30 years
• Mechanically overhauled by Bonfanti Garage in Italy in 2017
• Requires some recommissioning
One of the greatest French racing marques of the 1920s, De Dietrich et Cie was based at Luneville in Lorraine, France, commencing as makers of railway locomotives before branching out into automobile manufacture in 1896, by which time the oft-disputed province had been annexed by Germany. Designs by Amédée Bollée, Vivinus and Turcat-Méry were licensed at first before the firm commissioned Ettore Bugatti to come up with some of its own. In 1905, the car/aero engine division's name was changed to 'Lorraine-Dietrich' and the Cross of Lorraine adopted as an emblem, emphasising the company's French origins. Considerable effort was put into racing at this time, using purpose-built cars fitted with enormous engines.
After WWI, with Lorraine restored to France, manufacture of cars (and aero engines) recommenced, the principal models of the 1920s being a 12CV (2.3-litre) four and a brace of sixes: 15CV (3.5-litre) and 30CV (6.1-litre). Of these, the 15CV B3-6 was the most successful, entering the history books by winning the third and fourth Le Mans 24-Hour races in 1925 and 1926, interrupting Bentley's run of successes. Lorraine thus became the first marque to win the famous endurance classic twice and the first to win in consecutive years. A clean sweep of the Le Mans podium places is almost unheard of, yet that is what Lorraine-Dietrich achieved in 1926, becoming the first manufacturer ever to do so. Hard hit by the early 1930s Depression, Lorraine-Dietrich ceased manufacture of motor cars in 1934.
This 1910 Lorriane-Dietrich was purchased in the late 1960s by a Mr Georgio Marzolla, an engineer based in Crespino, Italy. A close friend of the famous Italian jeweller Bulgari, Mr Marzolla purchased the car complete with chassis, engine, transmission, axles and bodywork in place. Among other projects, the car was restored over a period of 30 years, benefitting from full rebuilds of the engine, transmission, propshaft and axles. In addition, the car was repainted and retrimmed in the leather we see today. Studying the large history file, which is all in Italian, it seems likely that the car has resided in Italy for most of its life.
Correspondence on file with the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain dating from 1971 exists, researching the collaboration of Lorraine-Dietrich and Isotta Fraschini. It appears that 13 cars were built in Birmingham, UK by Lorraine-Dietrich under Isotta Fraschini license, and it is believed that this car could be one of them, seeing as both the engine and transmission are of Isotta Fraschini FJ24 type. The file documents the restoration's vast expense and there are over 60 images recording the process from start to finish.
The car was found by the current custodian in Crespino, Italy at the Marzolla estate and was set to be auctioned following Mr Marzolla's death. However, a deal was struck and the car returned to the UK and is now offered with taxes paid. Upon return to this country, the car was extensively checked over and the engine run up: It's reported the car runs well providing a good turn of speed. Further recommissioning work will no doubt be required.
A very imposing, substantial, statement car capable of carrying 6-8 people in the upmost comfort, which is guided at a very attractive price from a leading well respected brand with great motorsport pedigree.
All UK import duties and taxes are paid, and should the new owner so desire, they can simply apply for UK registration using forms V112, V55/5, with the reference on file.
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The Golden Age of Motoring Sale
|1 November 2024, 13:00 GMT
|London, New Bond Street
