Founded in Paris in 1921 by Joseph Lamy and Emile Akar, the Amilcar car company started out manufacturing cyclecars, but soon progressed to voiturettes – still small, but more practical vehicles for the general public. The Amilcar CC model was followed by the C4 and, in 1924, the CS, which provided a prospective owner with an inexpensive, light, and economical sports car mildly reminiscent of the popular Bugatti grand prix and sports cars. It was during this time that the Amilcar came to be known as “the poor man’s Bugatti.”

This Amilcar CS Torpédo was originally delivered to England and registered with the distinctive number “YN 16.” Regrettably, little else is known of its early history. In 1958, it was imported to Malaya by G.D. “Denny” Needham, who is believed to have been the car’s third owner. The CS had two additional owners in neighboring Singapore before eventually making its way to Europe, and later joining the esteemed Abraham Kogan collection. When the previous owner, Piers Gormley of Houston, Texas, acquired the car, he changed its color scheme of white with black fenders to British Racing Green, due to his English background. He also performed an extensive rebuild of the unnumbered engine.

Maintained in current ownership since 2014, the Amilcar CS Torpédo presents nicely and would enhance any collection of French prewar sports cars.

*Please note that this vehicle is titled 1928 and as CS9175.