Vehicle Description
Amilcar was born amid the of the Cyclecar and Vouiturette movements
in early 20th century France. Prior to the outbreak of World War I,
French motoring enthusiasts created a market for light, affordable
performance cars with smallbore engines. Fitting somewhere between
a motorcycle and a standard automobile, the Cyclecar was adopted by
a multitude of manufacturers. In the years after The Great War,
France was eager to regain its standing as a world leader in
automobile production, and as the economy struggled to fully
recover, the inexpensive cyclecars again proved popular among
buyers. Another driving factor for the perpetuation of the tiny
cyclecars was the French tax code that greatly favored small cars.
The French government even went so far as to provide a specific
definition of a Cyclecar: It specified any three or four wheeled
vehicle, with one or two seats, weighing no more than 350 kilograms
and with an engine that must not exceed 1100c.c. If any of those
factors were exceeded, the car was moved into the official
Voiturette class. Manufacturers were able to get ever more power
out of small engines, and as a result, the 1100c.c. cyclecar and
voiturette class became a hotbed for performance motoring, with
customers often buying these small cars for weekend competition
use. Amilcar's jewel-like CGS and the sporting CGSS variant gained
a reputation as quite the weekend warrior, chocking up hundreds of
wins in local and regional smallbore racing around France. Their
robust nature and exceptional performance earned the nickname "Poor
Man's Bugatti". The CGS and CGSS were technically very similar, the
second "s" of the later denoting "Surbaisse", which literally
translates as "low profile". The lowered chassis was the primary
difference, though an additional few horsepower were massaged out
of the 1074 c.c. sidevalve power plant. The CGS and CGSS formed the
basis for much of Amilcar's success through the late 1920s, in both
the showroom and on the racetrack; with perhaps the most famous
victory coming in the 1927 Monte Carlo Rally. It proved to be one
of the best-selling models in Amilcar's relatively short history,
with approximately 4,700 examples built of both the CGS and CGSS
and it remains one of the most recognized and collectible of the
road going models. This lovely little 1928 Amilcar CGSS has been
very well restored and fitted with a beautiful Grand Sport style
body. It is finished in ivory over a green leather interior, with
distinct green accents applied to the undersides of the cycle-style
wings. The Grand Sport-style two-seat body is beautifully
proportioned with an offset cockpit and tapered tail, sitting atop
a petite 90" wheelbase. It does possess a certain quality of a
miniature Bugatti, thanks to the pure and purposeful style and
minimal adornment. The body is built a high quality standard and
the off-white paint very well presented. Amilcar's signature nickle
radiator shell is in excellent condition, flanked by headlights
mounted on delicate fender braces. The door-less body is features a
single side-mounted spare wheel, Weather equipment is limited to a
delicate cut-down windscreen and the quality of clothing worn by
the occupants. The simple, functional cockpit is trimmed in green
leather and the dash is finished in a very cool diamond-patter
engine-turned alloy. It is well equipped with an array of period
French instrumentation including a fabulous LE NIVEX tachometer and
Sifam minor instruments. A wood wheel is delightfully worn in and a
tactile joy for the driver. Beyond controls and instruments, the
cockpit is relatively unadorned, yet pleasingly detailed. Without
doors or windows, it is a case study of pure functional simplicity.
Amilcar's wonderful 1,074 c.c. side-valve engine features an alloy
head and was rated at 35hp in the slightly uprated CGSS tune. Our
example is pleasingly detailed and very nicely presented, and the
engine is mated to the very rare and desirable four-speed
transmission. Given the featherweight body and chassis, performance
is surprisingly brisk, combined with nimble, deft handling. This
lovely little Voiturette is simply a delight to behold and to
steer. Subtle modifications have been made for drivability, such as
an enlarged foot box to accommodate taller drivers. It can be
readily enjoyed as presented, having been recently shown at Amelia
Island and Lime Rock Park's diverse and prestigious Sunday in the
Park Concours, where it won the 2016 prize for best French car. No
mere trailer-queen, it has even made an appearance at the VSCCA's
legendary Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. While it's early history
has been lost to time, this beautiful, delightful Amilcar is an
outstanding example from this storied and highly desirable marque.
�A fabulous pre-war sporting car, its beautiful style, quality
restoration and joyful road manners make it suitable for a wide
variety of events.