1924 BENJAMIN TYPE P2 TORPÉDO 2 PLACES

French title
Chassis n° 20194
Engine n° 20248

• Restored mechanicals
• Twin overhead camshaft engine
• Exhibited for a long time at the Sarthe Automobile Museum

"The Benjamin is the tool of the worker, and the pleasure of the rich!" was the advertisement for the brand, in 1923. The following year the range expanded with a cyclecar powered by a Benjamin- Duplex 2-stroke twin-cylinder engine, the type P2. Unfortunately, as customers did not fully appreciate this spectacular novelty, in 1926 the brand offered to exchange this engine with that of a no less innovative 4-stroke twin-cylinder with overhead camshaft!
The example on display, exhibited for a long time at the Sarthe Automobile Museum, benefited precisely from this exchange at the time, while preserving for parts its original 2-stroke engine. This elegant two-seater roadster was restored in the 1980s and its current owner, a great fan of the brand, acquired it a dozen years ago. Since then, he has overhauled the engine and the gearbox, including a replacement of the bearings. The original five Michelin rims, which will be supplied, have been replaced by spoked rims allowing the installation of tires which greatly improve handling. We were able to listen, with delight, to the unique sound of this engine, which once warmed up, can take you far with metronomic precision. The vintage hand pump and the small oil can attached to the spare wheel, or the pretty leather bag which accommodates the road maps are details which, added to the patina, make this cyclecar so charming. A collector's item worthy of serious interest!

The auction of this lot will take place on Friday 18 March 2022.
https://www.artcurial.com/fr/lot-1924-benjamin-type-p2-torpedo-2-places-no-reserve-4134-105