de dion bouton...

...custom, exotic and definitely vintage this a 1905 De Dion Bouton making a very gentle arrival at the Museum of Perth to be part of a new exhibition about the history of road transport in the city of Perth (from hooves to wheels).
This vehicle has lived in Perth all of its life!

In 1900, De Dion-Bouton was the largest automobile manufacturer in the world, producing 400 cars and 3,200 engines.
The company employed 3,000 staff in 1903, and this number had grown to 4,500 by 1909 as it continued to expand the range of components it made in-house. In addition to the engines, gearboxes, chassis and suspension, it made its own magnetos, wheels and bodies, and a workforce of 100 women was employed in making spark plugs. Apart from the usual design and construction facilities, the factory had its own chemical laboratory, microscope test-room, tensile and hardness-testing machinery, wood mills, paint shops, trimming department, and foundries....and a small number of electric cars made in 1901!
Another car in the exhibition is a Renault Voiturette 1CV from 1898 and yes from here in Perth !

Isn't it wonderful how something new pops up at the most unexpected moments...the Museum of Perth and its quirky collections and exhibitions now of the 'must sees' on a city visit.