c.1897 Léon Bollée Voiturette

The earliest automobile in our collection is an 1897 Léon Bollée Voiturette, a unique, early example of French automotive ingenuity. This pioneered vehicle by Leon Bollée, the inventor who later became the mayor of Le Mans, is a remarkable blend of horse-drawn carriage styling and innovative engineering. It's powered by a single-cylinder engine producing just 1.5 horsepower, yet it could reach speeds up to 6 miles per hour. What truly sets it apart are its unusual three-wheeled configuration, with the front wheel steering and two rear wheels propelled by a chain drive, and its body made of wood and aluminum due to early steel scarcity. It's an exquisite testament to the dawn of motoring history.

Last bid: $63,000