One of the oldest cars in the UK is up for sale for £60,000 – and the 118-year-old motor is still totally road legal
The classic De Dion Bouton Type G recently underwent a full engine restoration, and is said to be in working order
ONE of the oldest cars in the UK has just gone up for sale.
And the 118-year-old motor is entirely road legal, along with being in "original" working condition.
The 1901 De Dion Bouton Type G is expected to sell for anywhere between £50,000 and £60,000 when it goes up for auction this June.
The veteran vehicle has been under the same ownership for the last 20 years, completing 14 London to Brighton vintage car runs in that time.
A vintage convertible, it can seat up to four passengers and boasts its original number plate, as issued in Ipswich in 1904.
But despite its traditional features, the car received a £7,500 engine overhaul in March this year, restoring it to its "lovely and original'" working condition.
Completely road legal, the De Dion Bouton comes complete with a gearbox and workshop manual, a handbook, old tax discs and MOT certificates.
Dubbed a magnificent piece of French automotive history, the car was featured in a 1953 edition of Autocar Magazine.
De Dion-Bouton - a French automobile and railcar manufacturing company - operated between 1883 to 1953 and at one point was the largest in the world.
Founded by the Marquis Jules-Albert de Dion, George Bouton and Bouton's brother in law Charles Trépardoux, the company was born after de Dion saw a toy locomotive in a shop window and fell in love with steam cars.
While this car is perfectly sound to take to the streets, the experts recommend its new owners take advantage of its classic ability to shine in a properly organised vintage car run.
Roger Nowell from H&H Classics said: "This is the chance to have the pleasure of owning a piece of automotive history with French flair and from one of the great marques."
"The lucky new owner of this car will be able to register it immediately for the next London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, knowing that it is not only a hardy annual in that event but stands a very good chance of finishing at the Brighton seafront.
"This isn't something you can say of all the entrants."