Peugeot 1903 2HP Type C 239 cc 1 cyl aiv 3503

Peugeot 1903 2HP Type “C” 239 cc aiv frame # 1338 engine # 498

Although a prototype De Dion-engined Peugeot bicycle was displayed at the Paris Salon in 1898, the first motorized cycles to leave the factory were actually tricycles with De Dion & Bouton engines. The popularity of the tricycle was unchallenged at first, but by 1902 the motorized bicycle started to take the lead: at the Paris Salon in December 1901 81 motorized cycles were exhibited, of which there were only 21 tricycles or quadricycles. One of the sixty motorized bicycles present was a Peugeot, propelled by a 1 ½ HP ZL engine. The engine was clipped to the front down tube and had a displacement of 198 cc. Its weight was only 35 kilograms and a cruising speed of between 25 and 40 km/h was attainable. For 1903 the engine was placed in the “New Werner Position” and now two models were catalogued, one with 2HP ZL engine and the other with Peugeot’s own 2 HP power source, both types having the same cycle parts. The “Type C’ has a bore x stroke of 66×70 mm and the engine is fed by a Longuemare carburetor. The magneto is a later modification which ensures that a spark is readily available at all times. Relatively few of these machines were produced, so this is a pretty rare survivor.
This early veteran has frequently been ridden in vintage rallies. She comes with Pioneer Certificate.