The Tarboush Mystery (Upd. Cottereau !?!)

P.S. I realize the 1903 model has chain drive, but the 1905 model doesn't. So we end up somewhere in between?

I've been looking for a better photograph of the Cottereau and I found a nice series on: http://www.flickr.com/photos/john-do2010/4507650536/in/set-72157623823285856/ For me a strong argument is the presence of the parallel ridges on the bonnet, which are identical to each other. However, I see a slight difference in radiator shape: the upper width of the radiator shell looks to be broader than on the Egyptian car. Therefore I think it is an earlier model and this is supported by the next link: http://www.classic2.dds.nl/Cottereau1.html, showing a 1903 Cottereau Populaire. And now we see something, that appears to be present on the Egyptian car also: the copper stripe on the bonnet. On the Egyptian photograph this stripe is slightly lighter coloured than the rest and is even being mirrored in the dashboard! Comparison of the general appearance, but also of the details of both cars support my idea of the Egyptian car being a Cottereau, perhaps nowadays a lesser well known mark than D.-B., but in earlier days certainly well-known and respected.

I originally thought it was a Delaunay Belleville, but now I'm not convinced. I agree with Ariejan, there are too many inconsistencies. The lack of the small supporting chassis feet on the radiator, the steering wheel spider, and particularly the rear hub don't match any of the Delaunay Belleville photos I've looked at. Inless it's a very early model, around 1905-6. I'm sure this would be a 4 cylinder.

Comment on the editorial comment: I don't think this photograph gives strong support for the D.-B.-view. Please take a look at the Cottereau at http://rallyeboisdarcy2004.free.fr/fichescentre.html (compare also the steering wheels and side handles of both cars).

I count more than 30 different (European) makes with a round radiator in my archive. Delaunay-Belleville seems a logic option, but there are many features which are unlike D.-B. like: the radiator cap, the missing louvres on the side of the bonnet, the missing support beneath the radiator, the short length of the radiator as well as the shape of the front springs. De Cosmo is interesting option, but the radiator of this mark also has a support beneath the radiator.
My suggestion is a Cottereau. Cottereau used round radiators of the D.-B.-type between 1903 and 1905. Radiator form and bonnet appearance of the Cotterau type I-A of 1905 are identical to the Egyptian car, as is the spring shape. Also a radiator support is not present. A difference is the radiator cap, but this seems to me a minor detail (besides I only have few examples of this model).

editor: yes the rounded radiators are confusing, but take note of Ralph Cook's notes below and then look at this DB: http://www.histomobile.com/histomob/internet/522/776501.jpg

It is a De Cosmo 6 cylinder 40/50 or 45/55Pk built in 1906 in Liége Belgium by J. De Cosmo Italian nationality

This is almost certainly a small(ish!)Delauney Belleville HB4 of 1910 or 1911, unless there was a smaller model than that. The short bonnet (hood!) certainly indicates a four cylinder engine and it's a bit of a squash in that De Ville body for the two ladies with their voluminous dresses! Whilst it's true many marques then had circular radiators, the surround to this one is eliptical in form,(wider at the bottom than top) in the style that was typical of Delauney Bellevilles. By 1910 most formal cars had a windscreen, but from photographs it seems many Delauney Bellevilles went without one until at least 1912- this Egyptian chauffeur would need goggles if he went anywhere near the desert.

c'est peut etre une voiure fabriquée en france à Bordeaux une Georges Roy des années 1910/1912 carractéristique avec sont radiateur rond comme les delaunay belleville de la même époque,moi même j'ai un double phaéton torpédo Georges Roy type o de 1912

Salam,
Up to World War I French cars dominated in Egypt. The first car was probably a 1890 De Dion, owned by Prince Aziz Hassan.

Then Peugeot, Renault, Panhard-Levassor, Clement-Bayard and Darraq held the majority of cars. In Alexandria the Société d'Entreprises Générales d'Électricité advertised electric vehicles.

End of 1905 there were around 110 vehicles in Cairo and another 56 in Alexandria (plus some motorcycles and the first Dietrich buses from the new Cairo coach company).

In 1907 UNIC started a taxi fleet.

I am probably wrong, but this car looks like an early Trundle, with Tommy Cooper as driver.

This car is a Delaunay-Belleville, a French luxury car maker based in Saint Denis, on the North of Paris.
Delaunay-Belleville can easily be identified with their round shape radiator.
All the best,
Laurent

editor: chances are best that it is DB indeed, but rounded radiators came with at least 20 different makes, with Spyker as the most well known.

I mean it's a Dustless Spyker from 1908.

Surely this is a Delaunay Belleville, probably six cylinder, perhaps 1909 or soon after, with Coupe de Ville coachwork by Labourdette? The good thing about the princesses being so well dressed is they will stay warm while waiting for the recovery service after the crankshaft broke, an all too frequent occurrence with early DB sixes!

Delaunay-Belleville!

A French Delaunay-Belleville from about 1908.

it`s a Delaunay-belleville, I think type H4.

regards
mike

This could be a Delaunay Belleville, and by the length of the bonnet, probably a 4 cylinder. It has a live rear axle, so it could be one of the smaller 16hp or 24hp models. These are great photos, please show more like these, if you can.

Not absolutely certain but think it may be a Delaunay & Belleville c. 1911 (see http://www.vintagerollsroycecars.com/car-details/1911-delaunay-belleville-hb4_467.html)

It resembles a Delaunay Belleville.

Special Thanks to Mostafa El Sadek for sharing the photo.

Looks like the Delauney-Belville HB6 of circa 1912 Stuart

The round radiator suggests a Delaunay-Belleville.