Local Showcase

🏁 De Dion Bouton 1905

A homage to the a 1905 De Dion-Bouton car featured in the Peking to Paris motor race held in 1907.

🚗 Inspiration Car

 1905 De Dion-Bouton, a twin cylinder 4-stroke 6hp, French car competing with distinction in the Peking to Paris. 

Why this car?
This was one of the original Peking to Paris entries. The beautiful balanced shape appealed along with the overall expedition feel and comfort of the car.

⚙️ Specifications

Chassis:
Scaffold plank cut down the middle.  body materials used are plywood 12mm and aluminium.

Wheels:
17" motorcycle 

Suspension:
Leaf type from a Morris eight.

Engine:
6-1/2 hp Honda clone.

Drive System:
 CVT

Brakes:
Mechanical disc+handbrake.

Steering:
Rack and pinion [Sand rail]

Other Features:
 Deep buttoned sprung seat, Provision for suitcase and storage, for expedition purposes.

🛠️ Builder’s Story: De Dion Bouton Cyclekart

Inspiration Car
My cyclekart takes its cues from the De Dion Bouton, one of the original entries in the famous Peking to Paris rally. I was drawn to it because of its history and the sense of adventure it represents.

What I Loved About the Original
What really appealed to me was the beautiful, balanced shape of the car. It has a grace to it that many others lack, and I wanted to bring that sense of proportion into my build.

Styling Goals
Rather than chase a perfect replica, I aimed to capture the overall expedition feel and comfort of the De Dion. I wanted it to look like a car you could load up with luggage, a map, and a sense of adventure.

Chassis & Body
The chassis is unconventional—a scaffold plank cut down the middle formed the backbone. It turned out to be a practical and surprisingly effective solution. The body was built using 12mm plywood and aluminium, which gave a good mix of strength and authenticity in appearance.

Wheels & Suspension
The kart rides on 17" wheels, paired with leaf springs taken from a Morris Eight. The setup provides the right vintage feel and keeps with the period look.

Engine & Drivetrain
For power, I fitted a 6.5hp Honda clone engine. Simple, reliable, and enough to keep the kart moving with character.

Braking & Steering
The braking is handled by a mechanical disc system with a handbrake for extra control. Steering comes from a sand rail rack and pinion—though it needed some ingenuity to make it work with my layout.

Special Features
I wanted this to feel like a proper expedition car, so I added a deep buttoned sprung seat for comfort, plus provisions for a suitcase and storage space. The accessories, like an old carbide lamp, light fittings, and a mirror, all contribute to the vintage expedition atmosphere.

Challenges & Solutions
The trickiest part was offsetting the rack-and-pinion steering to make room for a passenger. It took some problem-solving, but it worked out. Another clever solution was simply making use of a leftover scaffold plank for the wooden chassis—it’s strong, practical, and gives the kart a unique story.

Most Satisfying Part
For me, it’s always the details at the end that bring the whole build together. That’s where the character really comes alive.

If I Did It Again
Next time, I’d probably source a small drop-arm steering box to simplify the steering setup. But overall, I’m very pleased with how it turned out.