1928 Salmson Biarritz Saloon
1928 Salmson Biarritz Saloon
Salmson occupies a particularly interesting position in French motoring history. Founded in Paris and initially celebrated for its engineering and manufacture of radial aircraft engines, the company supplied power units for numerous French and Allied aircraft during the First World War. Following the conflict, Salmson applied its considerable engineering expertise to motor-car production, becoming known throughout the 1920s and 1930s for technically advanced sporting and touring cars.
The example offered here, registration BS 9346, is a Salmson 10/20 VAL 3 Series 7 'Biarritz', distinguished by its fabric-covered four-door saloon coachwork. Although its Series 7 designation identifies it as a 1927 model, surviving information suggests the car was manufactured in October 1928 and first registered in France. In common with many French motor cars of the period, it was built in right hand drive configuration.
Chassis and engine number 17456 is powered by Salmson's 1,098cc eight-pushrod engine and equipped with a three-speed manual transmission and Dynastart. Its manufacturer's body designation is recorded as style 085B, body number 145, details supported by a Salmson Register certificate of authenticity dated 14th October 2002. Corresponding numbers can also be found stencilled upon the car's internal wooden body frame and stamped into a number of its metal fittings.
Produced between 1927 and 1929, the VAL 3 was designed principally as a comfortable touring car and employed a comparatively long chassis. Approximately 755 examples were manufactured, numbered from 17003 to 17757. Of these, only 255 are understood to have received the style 085 Biarritz saloon body. It is believed that just two such saloons survive today, the other reportedly residing in Brussels. While open coachwork is now frequently associated with cars of the 1920s, enclosed saloons were highly desirable when new, offering occupants considerably greater protection and comfort. Many bodies were constructed around lightweight wooden frames, clad in plywood and finished with fabric. Their comparatively delicate construction, combined with the later fashion for converting early chassis into sporting open cars, means that very few have survived intact.
This Biarritz reportedly spent much of its early life in the Tarbes commune of the Hautes-Pyrenees, where it carried the French registration QQ65. It was acquired from its first owner, Monsieur Senac, by Ron King during the early 1990s and imported into Britain, with an HM Customs permanent import certificate dated 17th April 1990 remaining on file. The car subsequently passed to Clive Montague-Brown, who began its restoration. In 1997 it was acquired by the late Don Hill, the highly respected Salmson Registrar, who devoted considerable time and attention to completing the work correctly. Fortunately, the original wooden body frame remained in remarkably sound condition. It was recovered in black Marston's Everflex fabric, while the wings, running boards, bonnet, luggage rack and other metal components were refinished in gloss black. The radiator received a new core, with the radiator shell and windscreen surround newly nickel-plated. The attractive interior marquetry to the dashboard, scuttle and door cappings was carefully refinished and revarnished.
The original front and rear seats were retained and recovered in grey cloth with contrasting blue piping, a treatment repeated around the interior panels. A new grey wool headlining was installed, while the original OS speedometer and clock were restored. The engine had previously been rebuilt, but Don Hill and respected Salmson engineer John Deacon elected to dismantle and restore it once more to ensure the work met the required standard.
Following the restoration's completion, Stuart and Camilla Pringle acquired the car in April 2005 and used it as an enjoyable vintage family motor car. It joined the present family's collection in August 2007, sitting alongside several British-built Salmsons. In 2008 it returned to France to participate in a rally organised by the Amicale Salmson, although subsequent business commitments meant it was used only sparingly and thereafter preserved in dry storage. Recommissioning began during 2024 and included cleaning the fuel tank, replacing its leaking shut-off tap, cleaning the carburettor, checking the braking and suspension systems, attending to the rear brake cables and cleaning and lubricating the rocker assemblies. New spark plugs and a new battery were also fitted.
The Salmson remains in wonderful overall condition. Its fabric body, black paintwork and delightful grey interior have survived particularly well, while the substantial chassis rails and underside present cleanly. Inevitably, there are minor age-related marks, light scratches and isolated areas of surface corrosion consistent with an older restoration, but the car starts readily and its three forward gears and reverse select correctly.
The extensive accompanying history file includes service invoices, tax discs, owner correspondence, period handbooks and catalogues, a photographic album documenting the restoration and the 2002 Salmson Register certificate of authenticity. The car is also recorded on page 262 of Don Hill's authoritative Salmson Register 1921-1930.
Believed to be one of only two surviving Biarritz saloons, BS 9346 combines exceptional rarity with fascinating provenance and a restoration carried out by recognised marque authorities. Beautifully preserved and wonderfully characterful, it would be equally at home attending prestigious vintage events, returning to France for Salmson gatherings or occupying an important place within a serious collection. Consigned by Mathew Priddy
Lot details
Year: 1928
Make: Salmson
Model: Biarritz Saloon
Registration: BS 9346
Chassis No: 17456
Odometer: tba
* Right hand drive example
* Older restoration from private collection
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