Luxembourg title

Chassis no. 6363 Engine no. 8818

- Owned by the same family from 1954–2015, great history

- More than 30 appearances on the London to Brighton Run

- Excellent appearance and mechanical condition

- No reserve

 

Always fascinated by cars from the start of the century, Paul-Émile B took part in the London to Brighton Run as a passenger several times, before entering it in his own name. With this in mind, he bought a car eligible for the famous event (built before 1 January 1905), which he found at the auction organised for its 2015 edition. This good-looking Darracq had been bought in 1954 by Stanley Gilks, the proprietor of a motorcycle garage in Ickenham; it was used regularly by the family and took part in the London to Brighton Run 25 times, the last in 1996 for the event’s centenary. It also appeared in two films and led the parade in 1993 in honour of the 40th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation.

It was then put into storage until 2015. As it had been regularly maintained until then, its recommissioning did not present Michel Magnin with any problems, apart from the gearbox, which was entirely rebuilt with specially cut new gearwheels, as can be seen in an invoice for 6000 euros in the history file. Since then, Paul-Émile B has done the London to Brighton Run five times and only had to retire once, due to a failure of the trembler coil. “But for our last entry in 2024, we didn’t even need to get out a screwdriver. It's ready to go at any moment”, Magnin confirmed. Paul-Émile B continued: “One day, we were contacted through the auction house by the Gilks family mechanic. This enabled us to meet one of Stanley Gilks’ descendants and we invited him to get back in the car. It was very moving.”

 

Launched by Alexandre Darracq, a native of Bordeaux, the first cars to bear his name were introduced in 1900, and he was joined by the engineer Paul Ribeyrolles to develop a range of single- and twin-cylinder models. The company became famous in 1905 with the record set by Victor Hemery at 176kph driving a Darracq with a 22-litre V8 designed by Ribeyrolles. This performance was followed by Darracq’s victories in the Circuit des Ardennes and the Vanderbilt Cup.

 

The pretty car in this auction has a technically unusual feature: instead of regulating the fuel going to the carburettor, the accelerator pedal controls a sliding wedge between the camshaft and the valve in order to change the lift and alter the engine speed. In other respects, it is well designed, with its monobloc single-cylinder engine, three-speed gearbox and steel chassis. It comes with a file containing documents, photographs and articles since 1954, as well as the English VCC certificate confirming its eligibility for the London to Brighton Run. Driving it will be a journey back in time as much as through space for the lucky buyer of this Darracq, one of the oldest examples known.

Photos © Alexis Ruben