Go
to the Archive indexThe De Dion-Bouton marque is best known for cars, three-wheelers that were popular at the turn of the century, and also for engines that could be fitted to bicycle-type motor cycle frames. But when someone claims to have a De Dion-Bouton moped, scepticism starts to set in. At least two of our club members, G Cook & Irene Constable, have such machines and were unable to find out very much about them - until Mr Cook's researches lead him to some correspondence in La Vie de la Moto.
One of LVM's readers also claimed to have a De Dion-Bouton moped. This machine has an appearance very similar to a 1950s Mobylette and LVM's experts seemed just as sceptical about the machine's identity, suggesting that the De Dion-Bouton badge and markings might be bogus, since De Dion-Bouton construction ceased in 1923.
However, as is the case with the readership of motor cycle magazines the world over, a large number wrote in to put the facts straight. A company called Etablissements Chichery from the Le Blanc district of Indre built cycles, mopeds, autocycles and motor cycles under the marque name of Dilecta. They acquired the rights to the De Dion-Bouton marque name and turned out their products using both the Dilecta and De Dion-Bouton names indiscriminately. The badge on these mopeds carries the words "Le Blanc" at the bottom. Whilst that solves that problem, it also posed another one. Another LVM reader, M Olives, president of the Toulouse Vintage MCC, wrote to say that he had owned a 100cc autocycle of the écclésiastique type that also carried a De Dion-Bouton badge. This would seem to have been built after the 1923 cut-off date, but well before the machines built by Ets Chichery. If you look up De Dion-Bouton in 'Tragatsch' it says:
"France 1926-1930. There was no real connection between the once famous engine and car factory of the same name and these motor cycles ..."
So, presumably, between De Dion stopping production and Ets Chichery acquiring the name, someone else bought the rights to the name and built autocycles and lightweight motorcycles with De Dion-Bouton badges. But who, and where?
Incidentally, when last heard of, the De Dion écclésiastique was on display at M Chapleur's cycle and motor cycle museum in Lunéville.
First published - June 1995
What I forgot to mention in the last issue was that G Cook's De Dion-Bouton moped is on display in the North Walsham Classic Motor Cycle Museum in Norfolk. Thanks to our Phillips man, Chris Wymer for reminding me. Chris tells me that the museum is well worth a visit with over 60 machines on display in various stages of restoration. Of particular interest to NACC members will be the Ariel Three, Cyclemaster, 98cc Excelsior, NSU Quickly, various Raleighs and a VéloSoleX. Entry is just £2 and its very easy to find, being located in the grounds of North Walsham railway station.
First published - August 1995