De Dion-Bouton Type HD Classic Cars for Sale

History of the De Dion-Bouton Type HD

De Dion-Bouton, established in Puteaux, France, was among the world’s top automotive innovators at the dawn of motoring. The Type HD was launched during a period when De Dion-Bouton led advancement in lightweight automotive engineering, especially with their influential V-twin engines and robust chassis designs. This model encapsulates the synthesis of practical engineering and mechanical creativity that defined French automobile production before World War I. Details on production years and numbers for the Type HD are rare, reflecting the exclusivity and hand-crafted nature of these early vehicles.

Model History of the Type HD Series

Within De Dion-Bouton’s extensive lineup, the Type HD represented a move towards more powerful and reliable vehicles. Its predecessor models focused on smaller displacement engines and quadricycles, while the Type HD emerged with an upgraded engine and greater passenger comfort. Later generations from the brand advanced towards even larger engine capacities and improved ride stability, setting a standard for French touring cars. The manufacturing period is tightly linked with De Dion-Bouton’s golden era, before the company phased out passenger cars in favour of commercial and industrial vehicles.

Highlights of the De Dion-Bouton Type HD

One of the defining features of the Type HD is its sophisticated engine for the era, which provided an unusual blend of reliability and driving refinement compared to competitors. The car’s structural design, with its lightweight yet rigid chassis, complemented by the renowned De Dion tube rear axle, offered pioneering road handling for its time. Luxury details such as bespoke coachwork further distinguished the Type HD. Based on our listings, the Type HD accounts for 100% of De Dion-Bouton cars offered and viewed in our database, underlining its singular presence among enthusiasts and its rarity in the market.

Technical Data

Special Editions and Collectible Models

Production records of the Type HD indicate that each vehicle was often individually specified, with custom-built bodies from French coachbuilders. Limited production runs—common at the time—mean that surviving examples may display unique design cues or one-off accessories not found on other period De Dion models.

Engine, Performance, Transmission and Handling

The Type HD’s engine, depending on specification, provided torque and smoothness unusual for its era, making it capable of sustained touring. The combination of De Dion’s rear axle and manual transmission (typically three speeds) made for remarkably stable and predictable handling on the variable road surfaces of the early 1900s. Maintenance intervals are generous, though sourcing original parts requires patience and expertise, given the car’s age and rarity. The 15 CV specification is notable, exemplifying the upper echelon of early De Dion-Bouton power units, combining advanced engineering and driving comfort suitable for luxury touring purposes.

Interior, Comfort, Exterior and Design

Coachwork for the Type HD was tailored to customer requirements, often featuring luxurious materials, brass detailing, and period-appropriate accessories such as folding tops and running boards. Interiors might utilise leather seating and polished wood dashboards. Externally, the model reflected French design priorities of the period: elegance, proportion, and mechanical sophistication. Customisation extended to paint and detailing, ensuring no two Type HDs were identical. Rare accessories, like original lighting fixtures and instrumentation, contribute to the vehicle’s historical authenticity.

Summary

The De Dion-Bouton Type HD embodies a rare and historically significant chapter in the evolution of the automobile, representing advanced technology and hand-crafted luxury from France’s early motoring industry. Its exclusivity on the current market, as reflected in supply and demand data, underlines its value for collectors focused on pre-war innovation and bespoke automotive craftsmanship.