What is it? Quiz #481

this is a " La Va Bon Train " 8hp to 1904- 1906 from Larroumet et Lagarde

La Va Bon Train 1904, made in Agen (like two other three-wheelers La Nef and Lassougade), bicycle makers and engineers by trade started making cars in 1904. Same layout as Le Nef but had a steel frame instead of La Nef’s wooden one, a steering wheel instead of a tiller.
LVBT was only built as a two-seater. The engine was of their own make and design. For an extra 250 francs a genuine 6Hp De Dion-Bouton could be obtained. Price was 2000 francs and two lessons to learn operate the car were included. Final drive was by belt or chain.

Source N. Gorgeano

This interesting contraption is a 'La Va Bon Train' built by Larroumet et Lagarde of Agen France. An update of their earlier three wheeler. Power comes from the ubiquitous DeDion single cylinder engine, although it could be purchased (for less money) with an engine of their own manufacture. Transmission is a 2 speed epicyclic gearbox. The name La Va Bon Train translates as 'goes like a train' or alternatively 'goes like the blazes' It probably had a good speed for 1904 with its light weight. It is thought that between 50 and 100 were built, luckily one survives.

My sources are:
http://www.3wheelers.com/lavabon.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Va_Bon_Train
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pontfire/9428724000/in/photostream/
https://360carmuseum.com/en/museum/24/exhibit/1275
https://www.auction.fr/_en/lot/c1904-larroumet-amp-lagarde-rdquo-la-va-bon-train-rdquo-2727677
Georgano's book: The Complete Guide to Motorcars 1885 to the Present

This is a 1904 La Va Bon Train 8hp voiturette. It was built until c.1914 by Larroumet & Lagarde, a former cycle company from Agen, France. It was powered either by a single-cylinder DeDion engine or one of their own make . It was inspired by the La Nef, also built in Agen, but it has a steering wheel instead of a tiller and a more rigid frame. Early cars were fitted with an epicyclic gearbox. The puzzle car- one of three existing cars - has the chassis number 40 (of around 100 built) and was exhibited at Château de Grandson.

Sources:
G.N.Georgano, The Complete Encyclopedia of Motorcars
Ernest Schmid / Martin Wiesmann, Autoveteranen
http://zorgblogauto.canalblog.com/archives/2015/08/24/32528566.html
https://www.auction.fr/_fr/lot/c1904-larroumet-amp-lagarde-rdquo-la-va-bon-train-rdquo-2727677#.W8yQOvmYSpo

1904 La Va Bon Train at Grandson Castle. Manufactured by Larroumet and Lagarde 1904-1914, rue d'Alembert, Agen, France, similar to “La Nef.” Chassis of “U” shaped angle iron with riveted spacers, own engine of 6 horsepower or 8 horsepower De Dion-Bouton capable of claimed 80 kph. Transmission: planetary and belt drive then conventional with differential by 1907. Steering wheel and minimal wheelbase allowed 8 meter turning circle. Cost was 2000 francs and hood was optional (140 francs). Two day driving course provided when picked up from factory. Production between 42 and 100 with three known. Name means “Goes like mad.”

Sources:
Automobile museum Château de Grandson: 1904 Va bon Train Larroumet et Lagarde

The World's Automobiles, G.R. Doyle & G.N. Georgano, 1963

The World's Automobiles, G.R. Doyle, 1931. Doyle originally translated the name as "Go like Billy-Ho."

LA VA BON TRAIN (Larroumet et Lagarde) (1.900 - 1.914)
http://www.autopasion18.com/HISTORIA-LA%20VA%20BON%20TRAIN%20(Larroumet%20et%20Lagarde).htm

Autos Croisees, Larroumet et Lagarde "La-Va-bon-Train" (1903-1914)
http://zorgblogauto.canalblog.com/archives/2015/08/24/32528566.html

Le Dictionnaire de l'Agenais et de Lot-et-Garonne: Auction of La Von Bon Train for 35,000 euros, 12 December 2010
http://dicoagenais.blogspot.com/2011/01/voiturette-tricycle-laroummet-lagarde.html

La Va Bon Train, German Wikipedia and English Wikipedia

Classic 3-Wheelers, Collection by Greg Beeforth

It seem to be a, maybe modified Lacroix

Bonsoir
La marque de ce tricycle est LARROUMET ET LAGARDE
cette voiturette était construite en France à AGEN ville du sud-ouest au environ de1900
Cordialement
Serge Rinero

Larroumet & Lagarde
Type "Va Bon Train"1900
Engine De-Dion-Bouton. 1 cyl, 8 CV
From the collection of Georges Filipinetti
Chateau de Grandson VD, Suisse