Opposing Power (UPDATE: aka Gobbling Billy)

• 
• 
• 

The first thing you’ll notice about this 1912 Gobron-Brillié is its wooden skiff or boat tail body. And did you notice the twin rear wheels? But these aren’t the only unusual features of this car. It also has an amazing engine built around a concept that is hard to imagine. The Brillié in the name Gobron-Brillié was Eugene Brillié, who had developed an novel engine using opposed pistons. If you’re interested, see ‘Read More’ for a more detailed explanation. The skiff body was made by the Parisian firm of J. Rothschild & Fils incorporating the ideas of Jean-Henri Labourdette, who was the first to develop one. Many skiff bodies are thought to have been made of tulipwood, but Labourdette himself wrote that he only used mahogany. Whether tulip, mahogany or any other timber, this wonderful ‘woodie’ will be auctioned by RM at their Automobiles of Amelia Island sale on March 13th. (photos courtesy RM)

Update by Martin Jubb who tells us that the Gobron-Brillié was also known as a “Gobbling Billy”.

Ajoutez un commentaire...