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For Sale: 1904 Barre 16 HP in Bridgeport, Connecticut

Vehicle Description

In the very beginnings of the motorcar there were many manufacturers worldwide trying to get off the ground with their idea of how an automobile should be. While the Americans were just beginning to understand the automobile, the Europeans were speeding down their roads in big horsepower four cylinder monsters. The Germans had Mercedes, the Italians had Fiat and the French had Darracq, Panhard et Levassor, Renault and of course Barrè. Barrè was a manufacturer established by Gaston Barre at Niort in 1900, although their first automobile was actually unveiled one year earlier at the Paris auto show in 1899 featuring a Gallardet engine. Several  aspects of Barrè’s business made it stand out from many of its larger French competitors, primarily by using components made by outside specialist suppliers, creating an assemblage of the best and most cutting edge components to create the best car that was technologically possible at the time. During the first half decade of the 20th century, Barrè began to use engines supplied to them by Aster, Buchet and Dedion Bouton and rather than tooling up to produce and assemble their own axles, gears and other principle components, Barrè had them supplied to them by outside manufacturers who were equipped to produce the parts that were needed. Many of Barrè’s cars were built to special order with special horsepower, coachwork and wheelbase like the wonderful original example offered here.

 

This unique car is a 1904 semi-racer with a four cylinder Aster engine, which was one of Aster’s first four cylinder engines with atmospheric intake valves, and a special four speed gearbox. The quality of this car equals that of the other great cars of the time with a steel ladder type frame, coil ignition, and a 16 horsepower engine that equals the performance of a Panhard et Levassor, a De Dietrich or a Renault of Pre-1905 vintage. Although the car was repainted sometime in the 1940’s, it has a great old patina and is extremely original, still retaining its original semi-racer coachwork and beautiful mechanicals including its outstanding brass belt driven oiler and outstanding early lamps. Owned by a collector in France for a very long time, this car would be an incredible addition to any important car collection or would be an amazing car to drive on the London to Brighton. 

Vehicle Details

  • 1904 Barre 16 HP
  • Listing ID: CC-964947
  • Price: Contact Seller
  • Location:Bridgeport, Connecticut
  • Year:1904
  • Make:Barre
  • Model:16 HP
  • Odometer:0
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