1902 Boyer Twin-cylinder voiturette
- Engine
- Water-cooled twin-cylinder E Buchet engine with pushrod-operated overhead exhaust valve, 9 hp, three-speed transmission with shaft drive
- Colour
- Deep olive green with straw yellow frame, running gear, and wheels
Believed to be the sole surviving twin-cylinder Boyer, this early French voiturette was built by Boyer et Cie of Suresnes around 1902 and is powered by a water-cooled E Buchet engine producing 9 horsepower, driving the rear axle via a three-speed gearbox and shaft drive. Originally delivered through the Leon Molon Garage in Le Havre, the car eventually passed to American ownership and was later restored by Californian collector Phillip Reed, who drove it on the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run eight times. It retains original bodywork, carburettor, and radiator.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold £126,500 (≈ $158K)
- → 2020Private salePhillip Reedpartial documentation
California-based Horseless Carriage Club member who acquired the car from Newell in original condition, commissioned a full cosmetic restoration to olive green livery with straw-yellow accents, added a modern starter, and participated extensively in veteran events including multiple London to Brighton runs. The Veteran Car Club of Great Britain dated the car to 1902 during his tenure.
- 2020 →Private saleCurrent consignorpartial documentation
Enthusiast of historically significant machinery who had the drivetrain and suspension refreshed, fitted a new fuel system and water tank, and participated in multiple veteran events on both sides of the Atlantic.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownL K Newellpartial documentation
Oklahoma motorcoach businessman who held the car for an unspecified period; a photograph on file shows it stored at his carriage house in highly original condition.
Competition
- 2021London to Brighton Veteran Car Run2021 London to Brighton Veteran Car RunCompleted
First participation under current ownership; consignor's family rode as passengers and the car arrived in Brighton successfully.
- 2022London to Brighton Veteran Car Run2022 London to Brighton Veteran Car RunCompleted
Second successive completion under current owner, with family passengers aboard.
- 2023London to Brighton Veteran Car Run2023 London to Brighton Veteran Car RunCompleted
Third successive completion under current owner; car performed strongly throughout.
- 2025London to Brighton Veteran Car Run2025 London to Brighton Veteran Car RunDriver: Consignor's engineer
A confirmed entry is included with the sale; the consigning owner's engineer will drive on behalf of the new buyer.
- —London to Brighton Veteran Car RunLondon to Brighton Veteran Car RunDriver: Phillip ReedCompleted
Reed brought the car to England on eight separate occasions to take part in this annual event, completing each run.
- —Audrain Veteran Car RunAudrain Veteran Car RunCompleted
Three separate participations in the Rhode Island-based veteran event under current ownership; car finished all three while carrying a full load of passengers.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Restoration
Comprehensive restoration carried out by Phillip Reed, including repainting in deep olive green with straw yellow for the frame, running gear, and wheels. A modern starter motor was also fitted to ease day-to-day operation.
The car was acquired in largely original and intact condition; a photograph documents its pre-restoration state. Original mechanical components including the carburettor and radiator were retained.
- —Mechanical
Mechanical refresh carried out under current ownership, encompassing a valvetrain rebuild, replacement of rear leaf springs, installation of a new water tank, new fuel system, and new tyres.
Work undertaken after acquisition in 2020, in preparation for renewed veteran car event participation.
Are you the owner of this car?
This car's public record is built from its auction and competition history. Register your ownership and privately add your own records to make it a verified Legacy Metrics passport — provenance that backs your car's value at sale and gives your insurer evidence to price against. Roy reviews and verifies every registration personally.