Lot n° 1
Estimation :
20000 - 30000
EUR
Result without fees
Result
: 136 500EUR
CHENARD & WALCKER - Lot 1
CHENARD & WALCKER
Torpille Type Y7
Tax horsepower: 9 hp Serial number: 89582
Date of first registration: May 20, 1930
Current registration: 1291-RE Engine: 1,496 cc inline 4-cylinder
Bore-stroke: 69 x 100
Developing 30 hp at 4,000 rpm.
Pressure lubrication and oil cooler
Valve train: overhead intake valves, rocker-operated; side-mounted exhaust valves
Ignition: Vertex magneto
Transmission: 4-speed manual with reverse
Brakes: drum brakes on all 4 wheels
Chassis: metal side members and cross members - semi-low-slung
Body: Sport Profilé torpedo body without doors and with windshield (originally had a wind deflector) - 2+1 seats.
Right-hand drive
Color: brown - brown fenders
Interior: orange leather seats - beige canvas soft top and side panels.
Vehicle to be registered as a classic car.
Exceptional original condition and preservation.
Seized engine.
On display in front of the Hôtel Drouot, 6 bis rue Rossini, Paris 9th arrondissement, on July 1 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
In 1927, the firm CHENARD & WALCKER, then based in Gennevilliers, presented a new sporty 1,500 cc model at the Motor Show, available in two versions with similar mechanical specifications: the semi-low-slung Y7, known as “La Torpille,” and the Y8, dubbed “Tank.”
Designed by Robert SÉNÉCHAL, the Y7 Torpille was referred to in early catalogs as the “Chenard-Sénéchal Spéciale.” The engine was designed by engineer TOUTÉE. The block was only 36 cm long; it was a semi-overhead valve design, with intake on the left via four ports and exhaust on the right. Braking was satisfactory for the time, a characteristic of Chenard cars. Ready to drive, the Y7 weighed only 650 kg and was advertised as capable of 130–135 km/h at a price of 27,700 francs. In fact, it was tested in 1929 by Marc CHAUVIÈRE, a journalist who clocked 126.250 km/h over the flying kilometer.
After winning the first edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1923, the CHENARD & WALCKER brand withdrew from the race in 1927.
It was subsequently customer cars that brought the Torpille its racing successes.
Serge POZZOLI mentions it in 1974 in the Album du Fanatique: “In 1928, there was an entry in the 24 Hours of Belgium; in 1929, hill climb victories and the top three spots at Gaillon (Michel Doré was first in the 1500cc sports class). Class victories in 1929 and 1930 at the
Alger Grand Prix, also in 1930 the Ladies’ Cup at the Monte Carlo Rally
Carlo, coming from Tallinn, Estonia, and finishing 9th overall, and above all Marc Chauvière’s victory at the 1930 Paris-Nice, where he triumphed over prominent figures driving supercharged 1750 ALFAs, BUGATTI 3Ls, CHRYSLER 77s, DELAGE D8s, etc.”
The car we are presenting has had an exceptional history.
It was purchased new by Robert Léon CHAMBRIN, a veteran of the
Great War, who ran a garage in Boulogne-Billancourt. According to his business card and various period brochures, his business focused primarily on renting garages with water and lighting. He also dealt in benzene, oils, and auto accessories, as well as selling tires. All of these businesses were located at 11 rue des Longs Près in Boulogne-Billancourt.
Born in 1897, Robert Chambrin grew up in a family with a keen interest in automobiles; they owned, notably starting in 1902, a CRÉANCHE built in Courbevoie, and later various RENAULT models.
He obtained his driver’s license in 1916 at the age of 19.
In 1929, he competed in the Bol d’Or with a 6-horsepower Renault, bodied as a race-ready sports torpedo with spoked wheels.
In 1930, he obtained his competitor’s license from the Commission Sportive de l’Automobile
Club de France, just as he had the previous year. He entered and won with his Chenard
Torpille at the 8th Coupes de l’Armistice organized by the Motocycle Club de
France. It was entered under number 108 in the “1500 cc Sports Cars” category.
The race took place on November 11, 1930, starting from Pavillons-sous-bois. According to the newspaper Le Sport, “The Cup was contested in fine, cold, and dry weather. In the preceding days, torrential rains had washed out the local roads along the route. The race was very grueling. 121 competitors lined up at the start at 6 a.m., and despite the race’s difficulties, 88 finished.” The first time check took place in Dammartin, in front of the gendarmerie. The second was in Mériel, and the third in Mantes, on the Place du Château.
The finish line is in Dampierre, followed by the “Course de côte des Dix-Sept Tournants,” which serves to break any ties.
The car also participated on June 1, 1930, with Madame Chambrin in a concours d’élégance held in Montlh
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