1909 Lorraine-Dietrich Grand Prix Two-Seater

Acquired a rolling De Dietrich chassis registered ST190 around 1987 as the foundation, then spent roughly three decades gathering period Lorraine-Dietrich components and constructing the finished car to a high standard of craftsmanship.

Held the original Lorraine-Dietrich racing chain-drive gearbox as part of a planned Blitzen Benz replica project; the gearbox was subsequently sold on before eventually reaching Scaldwell.

Supplied the front axle and several other components including the steering box, which were acquired from his premises in France for use in the build.

Had assembled magnetos, drive sprockets, and related parts intended for a 1905 De Dietrich race car project; these components were subsequently acquired for this build.

An early competition result cited as part of the marque's racing heritage, not a result of this specific vehicle.

Works driver Duray led a Lorraine-Dietrich sweep of the top three positions; cited as a marque achievement rather than a result of this specific vehicle.

Project commenced with acquisition of a rolling chassis bearing registration ST190, identified as a 60hp De Dietrich imported and registered in Scotland in 1909; the chassis lacked engine and gearbox but supplied useful running gear components including wheels, hubs, and pedals.

This was the starting point for a multi-decade assembly project rather than a conventional restoration.

Complete construction of a 1909-specification Grand Prix two-seater around original Lorraine-Dietrich components: the racing chain-drive transaxle was sourced and verified as all-original; front axle, steering box, and further parts were obtained from Marcel Boutet at Depanoto in France; additional magnetos and sprockets came from Uwe Hucke's parts collection.

The gearbox internals were confirmed authentic by inspection, with components stamped with the Cross of Lorraine and period serial numbers.

Engine built entirely from new components: a replica crankcase and sump of the correct four-chamber period type were cast using new patterns informed by study of the 1912 Lorraine-Dietrich 'Vieux Charles III' at Brooklands Museum and the 1905 200hp Darracq restoration. A pressure-feed and scavenge lubrication system derived from the 1914/16 Indianapolis Sunbeam was fitted; crankshaft and connecting rods are new, running on period-correct white-metal bearings.

Access to the dismantled 'Vieux Charles III' at Brooklands Museum was instrumental in determining original engine dimensions and configuration.

A new radiator was fabricated to the scale of surviving 1908 Grand Prix cars, replicating the earlier serpentine Gruvell and Archenburg pattern rather than the later honeycomb type. Rudge-Whitworth double-lock wire-spoke wheels from the original 1987 chassis acquisition were fully rebuilt with Firestone-type rims to accept straight-sided tyres.

Period-correct cone clutch, original rear wheel brakes, and 35mm-pitch drive chains were retained throughout to match original specification.