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Lot 180¤
c.1910 Rochet-Schneider Five Passenger Touring Car
The Greenwich Auction
4 June 2023, 12:00 EDT
Greenwich, W. R. Berkley Corporate Headquarters
Sold for US$25,200 inc. premium
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Eric Minoff
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Adrien Durban
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Gordan Mandich
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c.1910 Rochet-Schneider Five Passenger Touring Car
Chassis no. 79
Approx. 290ci (5 Liters), Side-Valve, 4-Cylinder Engine
Single Zenith Carburetor
32hp
3-Speed Manual
Front, Semi-Elliptic Leaf Spring, Rear, Three-Quarter Elliptic Leaf Spring
2-Wheel Drum Brakes
*Offered from the Two Generations Collection
*Rare Survivor of Luxury French Manufacturer
*Intriguing Project
† Sold In Situ - Noted lot is being sold in situ and preview is available Tuesday and Wednesday May 30th and 31st. To make arrangements to view the lots and for further information please contact [emailprotected].
Please refer to the Buyer Information page for further information.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
Based at Chemin-Feuillat in Lyon, Rochet-Schneider was one of Les Grands Marques of the Edwardian period in France. The firm was so called because it was initially run by the Rochets, father and son, together with Théophile Schneider, a member of the eponymous armaments manufacturing family. Originally bicycle manufacturers, Société Anonyme des Établissements Rochet-Schneider built its first automobile in 1894, and in 1901 at the Paris Salon exhibited two cars of Panhard configuration. However, by this time the most advanced type of car was the German Mercedes, so for 1903 the Lyonnaise cars were redesigned along Mercedes lines. From the introduction of that year's 20/22hp model, Rochet-Schneider's reputation as the builder of strong, fast cars grew rapidly, fully justifying the firm's description of its products as 'Les voitures de qualité'.
The Rochet-Schneider presented here lacks any chassis or engine plates, making deciphering of its model and engine specifications a challenge. The British Veteran Car Club members handbook lists the car as a 32hp, and separately mentions the car as being a 40hp owned by the late Dr. David K. Gast, a former Horseless Carriage Club of America President, based in La Mesa, California, suggesting that this is from whom it was acquired. It is thought to date from approximately 1910, since it was always listed in the collection as being of that year, and the attribution of 32hp, seems more likely, gauging it against other known 18hp models, which it is certainly larger than by comparison.
Of particular interest is its coachwork, which for the most part seemingly carries original paint finish and is of a very sporting tourer style with an accessory seat which was either fitted as a pillion to the running board or to the bustle back tail. It is unquestionably coachwork of some quality, most likely also of French build and matches the contour of the chassis, suggesting that it belongs to it. The running gear seems to have been stripped and refurbished to primer. All in all, this is a fascinating project, which with additional research as to its history and origins would likely provide an interesting provenance and make it a worthwhile journey of restoration.
Additional information
This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact customer services.
Bidding Notices
Ω Import Duty: Motor vehicle import duty calculated at 2.5% of the import value and associated import fees are payable by the buyer on all lots marked with an Omega symbol Ω. If the purchased lot is exported within certain criteria, the duty may be refundable.
† Sold In Situ: Noted lot is being sold in situ, and is currently located in Hillside, NJ. Removal, at the buyers' expense, must be made no later than June 16, 2023, and will require advance notice. To make arrangements to view the lots and for further information please contact [emailprotected]
W: Lot 34 will be uplifted and held to order by Passport Transport. This lot will not be removed to Bonhams New York.
Buyers Premium and Charges
The final bid (hammer) price of each lot will be subject to a buyer's premium.
For MOTOR CAR lots the premium is 12% on the first $250,000 of the bid price and 10% on any amount of the bid price exceeding $250,000.
For MOTORCYCLE lots the premium is 15% on the first $100,000 of the bid price and 10% on any amount of the bid price exceeding $100,000.
For AUTOMOBILIA and other non-motor vehicle property, the premium is 28% on the first $50,000 of the bid price, 27% on the bid price above $50,000 up to and including $1,000,000, 21% on bid price above $1,000,000 up to and including $6,000,000, and 14.5% of any amount exceeding $6,000,000.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any complaints or questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest customer services team.
Collection Notices
All vehicles will be removed from the venue directly after the auction. Vehicles will be uplifted and held to order by Passport Transport. Uplift and storage charges are at the buyer's expense.
Automobilia lots will be available for collection until the end of the auction. Uncollected Automobilia lots will be removed to Bonhams New York, 580 Madison Avenue, for shipping or collection by the buyer or its authorised agent.
Payment Notices
Bonhams strongly recommends paying by wire transfer, certified check (bank draft) or submitting a Bank Letter of Guarantee. The Bank Letter of Guarantee must be addressed to Bonhams and be in the name of the registered bidder. Credit cards are accepted for Automobilia lots only. Cash payments are accepted under $10,000. We strongly encourage contactless payment of invoices prior to collection. Lots will not be released to buyers until full and final payment is received by Bonhams. Payment made by personal or business check may result in property not being released until purchase funds clear our bank. Bidders may also pre-arrange suitable check or credit approval with Client Services.
All vehicles will be removed from the venue directly after the auction. Vehicles will be uplifted and held to order by Passport Transport. Uplift and storage charges are at the buyer's expense.
Automobilia lots will be available for collection until the end of the auction. Uncollected Automobilia lots will be removed to Bonhams New York, 580 Madison Avenue, for shipping or collection by the buyer or its authorized agent.
For more information, please contact Client Services.
Shipping Notices
All vehicles will be removed from the venue directly after the auction. Vehicles will be uplifted and held to order by Passport Transport. Uplift and storage charges are at the buyer's expense.
Automobilia lots will be available for collection until the end of the auction. Uncollected Automobilia lots will be removed to Bonhams New York, 580 Madison Avenue, for shipping or collection by the buyer or its authorised agent.
¤ Without reserve Lot to be sold without reserve. - Collector Cars
Greenwich, W. R. Berkley Corporate Headquarters
3 June 2023, 09:00 - 17:00 EDT
4 June 2023, 09:00 - 13:00 EDT
View Conditions of Sale