Description
Peugeot 1903 2HP Type “C” 239 cc aiv frame # 1389 engine # 2437
Although a prototype De Dion-engined Peugeot bicycle was displayed at the Paris Salon in 1898, the first motorized cycles to leave the factory were actually tricycles with De Dion & Bouton engines.
The popularity of the tricycle was unchallenged at first, but by 1902 the motorized bicycle started to take the lead: at the Paris Salon in December 1901 81 motorised cycles were exhibited, of which there were only 21 tricycles or quadricycles.
One of the sixty motorized bicycles present was a Peugeot, propelled by a 1 ½ HP ZL engine.
The engine was clipped to the front down tube and had a displacement of 198 cc.
Its weight was only 35 kilograms and a cruising speed of between 25 and 40 km/h was attainable.
For 1903 the engine was placed in the “New Werner Position” and now two models were catalogued, one with 2HP ZL engine and the other with Peugeot’s own 2 HP power source, both types having the same cycle parts.
The “Type C’ has a bore x stroke of 66×70 mm and the engine is fed by a Longuemare carburetor.
Relatively few of these machines were produced, so this is a pretty rare survivor.
This early veteran is and older restoration, she will need some TLC to put her back on the road again