1904 Clément-Bayard 9/11 HP Rear-Entrance Tonneau
- Engine
- Twin-cylinder, 9/11 HP
A twin-cylinder 9/11 HP rear-entrance tonneau built by Clément-Bayard in the spring of 1904, chassis 6022 is one of no more than ten known surviving veteran-era examples from this pioneering French marque. It spent roughly five decades on static display at the Swiss National Transport Museum in Lucerne before returning to private hands. Awarded Veteran Car Club dating as a 1904 model following careful research, the car has since completed five London to Brighton Veteran Car Runs.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold £115,000 (≈ $144K)
- → 2009Acquisition unknownSwiss National Transport Museumpartial documentation
The car was exhibited at the Lucerne museum for approximately 50 years before departing in 2009; it is unclear whether the museum held title or merely displayed it on behalf of the owning family.
- 2009 →Acquisition unknownPrior caretaker, post-2009partial documentation
This owner undertook detailed historical research leading to official Veteran Car Club dating as a 1904 model, and the car completed multiple London to Brighton runs during this period. A magneto ignition system, electric starter, and renewed friction clutch were fitted, alongside an engine and gearbox rebuild.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownSingle family, pre-museum periodpartial documentation
A single family reportedly held the car from the 1930s onward; for the final five decades of that tenure it was loaned or placed on permanent display at the Swiss National Transport Museum in Lucerne.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownConsigning ownerpartial documentation
Spent approximately £30,000 on maintenance and upkeep during their ownership; the car continued participating in the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run under their stewardship.
Competition
- —London to Brighton Veteran Car RunLondon to Brighton Veteran Car RunFinisher
The car successfully completed five separate editions of this annual event; specific years are not stated in the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Bodywork
The bodywork was refinished at an unspecified date described only as many years ago; the nature and extent of the work beyond the refinish is not detailed.
- —Modification
A high-ignition magneto ignition system was fitted, believed to have been installed during the mid-2010s.
- —Engine rebuild
The engine and gearbox were rebuilt, and during this work an electric starter and a new friction clutch were also installed.
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