1913 Peugeot Type 143 Two-seat Raceabout
Registration no. BF 9077
Chassis no. 17186
Engine no. 13776 (Schneider)

"The Peugeot is the French car that still maintains its excellence and is the only firm of long-standing repute still manufacturing two-cylinder engined cars and with a range of models from 8 hp to 50 hp ... it is made apparent that the Peugeot cars are fully worthy of the high place they have taken in the motor world." - Max Pemberton. The Amateur Motorist, 1907.
Formerly producers of tools, coffee mills, umbrella spikes and corsetry, Peugeot commenced its long-standing connection with transport in 1885 when it added cycle manufacture to its portfolio. Amongst the world's oldest surviving motor manufacturers, the company commenced car production in 1889 with a steam-powered tri-car but soon abandoned steam in favour of the internal combustion engine, building a succession of ever larger automobiles before introducing the first of its famous Bébé light cars in 1900. Step by step Peugeot modernised its designs, adopting the steering wheel in 1901 on the Type 36 and front-mounted engines on all its new models in 1902. From that time forward Peugeot unashamedly copied the Mercedes style in miniature, adopting square-cut honeycomb radiators and reinforced timber chassis; even the twin-cylinder 9hp had mechanically-operated inlet valves in a pair-cast 'T-head' engine. Peugeot produced singles, twins and four-cylinder cars at this time, some with chain and others with shaft drive, the latter becoming universal after 1909.
According to a Peugeot museum note on file, this chassis left the factory in 1913. The chassis, front axle with rear hubs, rear axle, gearbox and Schneider engine were all found disassembled and the project to build a Raceabout commenced in 2018.
According to Mr Bishop's engineers Nigel Green and Peter Wardropper, who worked on the car, front hubs were manufactured and a cradle made to mount the engine. The latter displaces circa 2 litres and has electric starting and magneto ignition. All woodwork is in ash, while the brass 'fuel tank' is a dummy (with the actual tank fitted inside) made by Simon Parker Fabrications, who also made the wings. The radiator too is a dummy, with built-in core. The handbrake and gear change linkages are all fabricated, and the 'monocle' windscreen was made by Peter Wardropper. The Raceabout has hardly run since completion. Offered with a V5C document. Designed to Mr Bishop's personal specifications and beautifully presented, this most interesting runabout will require careful 'bedding in'.