Tag Archives: Donnet

Kontradiction – Donnet Type K

Like the Donnet Six Type G the six cylinder Type K was built in Donnet’s new state of the art six story factory which like the FIAT Lingotto factory in Turin featured a test track on the roof.

Donnet Type K, VSCC Prescott

The 2.5 litre / 152 cui 6 cylinder Type K like Mike Tebbett example seen at Prescott in these photographs was manufactured from 1929 until 1933 when Donnet went bankrupt shortly before rivals Citroën.

Donnet Type K, Mike Tebbett, VSCC Prescott

The vehicle in these photographs is officially registered as being built in 1927, when the smaller 2.3 litre / 140 cui 6 cylinder CI6 was the largest Donnet in production, I can only assume a clerical error in the official DVLA records is to blame for the contradiction.

Donnet Type K, VSCC Prescott

The French engineer, journalist and man credited with being behind the creation of the Le Mans 24 Hour race Charles Faroux noted that the Donnet Six was “economical” and “smooth” as to be expected from a six cylinder vehicle.

Donnet Type K, Mike Tebbett, VSCC Prescott

Apparently testing on the roof of the Donnet Factory was abandoned after one unfortunate exceeded track limits, allegedly when the factory was closed all of the machines, tools and existing unfinished stock were buried in a large hole in the ground.

Thanks for joining me on this “Kontradiction” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be returning to Castle Combe for their season ending race meeting. Don’t forget to come back now !

Dropping Zedel – Donnet G2 Torpedo Lux

In 1919 five years after founding the successful flying boat manufacturer Donnet-Denhaut at Neuilly-sur-Seine designer François Denhaut parted ways with co founder Jérôme Donnet who then switched from aircraft manufacturing to become an automobile manufacturer with the acquisition of Automobiles Zedel of Pontarlier, Doubs from whence he marketed the Donnet-Zedel CI-6 a Zedel design originating from 1912.

Donnet G2 Torpedo Lux, Classic Run, Chipping Sodbury,

In August 1924 the production of a chassis for the all new four cylinder 1098 cc / 67 cui Donnet Zedel Type G commenced in a new factory at Gennevilliers, Seine with final assembly of the new model taking place at the former and Donnet flying boat factory on Ile de la Jatte.

Donnet G2 Torpedo Lux, Classic Run, Chipping Sodbury,

The 16 hp (9.5 hp UK taxable) side valve engine featured magneto ignition and a two bearing crankshaft, it drove the rear wheels through a four speed gearbox a foot brake operated on the drive shaft and the hand brake operated the drums on the rear axle.

Donnet G2 Torpedo Lux, Classic Run, Chipping Sodbury,

Manufacturing 20 G types and 15 CI-6 types a day Donnet was on it’s way to becoming Frances fourth largest automobile manufacturer by 1927 when today’s featured G2 was built.

Donnet G2 Torpedo Lux, Classic Run, Chipping Sodbury,

The Donnet G2; with a revised chassis, standard 2 blade engine cooling fan, four wheel drum brakes, relocated hand brake lever, and more substantial rear axle, was launched in May 1926 when Zedel was dropped from the brand name.

Donnet G2 Torpedo Lux, Classic Run, Chipping Sodbury,

Today’s featured G2 scene at last years Classic Run in Chipping Sodbury is believed to have originally been resident near Avignion in France and was not imported into the UK until 1981.

Donnet G2 Torpedo Lux, Classic Run, Chipping Sodbury,

It was rescued from a field in 1989 and after restoration was first registered in the UK 6th Ocotber 1992.

Donnet G2 Torpedo Lux, Classic Run, Chipping Sodbury,

13,400 Donnet G2s are believed to have been built from May 1926 to October 1928 and this example is one of only two G2s and three Donnets known to exist in the UK.

Thanks for joining me on this “Dropping Zedel” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be visiting Castle Combe. Don’t forget to come back now !

Exécuter Classique – Chipping Sodbury

This weeks French themed blog returns to Chipping Sodbury for a look at some of the cars from our the land of our closest neighbours.

Donnet G2 Torpedo Lux, Classic Run, Chipping Sodbury

Donnet is not a manufacturer I recall coming accross before by 1927 the company was based in Paris and this is a 1927 G2 Torpedo Lux model that on the evidence of the tax discs on display was imported new into the UK.

Renault 4cv, Classic Run, Chipping Sodbury

The occupants of this 1953 750 cc / 41.5 cui “La Motte de beurre” Renault 4cv got right into the spirit of their cars cultural heritage and dressed in stripey Bretton shirts and bore strings of garlic.

Citroën Dyane, Classic Run, Chipping Sodbury

Launched in 1967 to replace the Citroën 2CV which dated back to 1948, the production of nearly one and a half million Citroën Dyanes came to a stop in 1983, while production of the 2CV carried on until 1990. The Dyane 6 seen here was built in 1979.

Citroën CX Gti Turbo, Classic Run, Chipping Sodbury

The Citroën CX was launched in 1974 and the following year it was voted European Car of the Year. This is a range topping Gti Turbo model built in 1985, six years before production of nearly 1.2 million CXs came to a halt.

Citroën 2CV6, Classic Run, Chipping Sodbury

Described by one esteemed journalist as “ruthlessly practical”, for me an ex multiple Citroën 2CV6 owner, they never fail bring a smile to my face when ever I them. Back in the day whenever I was on holiday in France I made a point of spending at least one afternoon in a scrap yard looking for 1960’s 2CV aluminium grills of the type seen on this 1987 example, if I could find enough of them in an afternoon the profit would usually cover my petrol costs for the whole journey.

Citroën DS20, Classic Run, Chipping Sodbury

Voted third in the 1999 Classic & Sports Car ‘Car of the Century’ pole the Citroën DS went into production in 1955 and came to an end 1.5 million units later in 1975.

Thanks for joining me on this “Exécuter Classique” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at some of the British cars on the Chipping Sodbury Classic Run. Don’t forget to come back now !