The Derby was built by Bertrand Montet in Courbevoie, Seine, from 1921 to 1936. Originally a voiturette powered by a V-twin American Harley-Davidson motorcycle engine, it was soon uprated with a 900 cc Chapuis-Dornier four. These and other proprietary engines were used during the marque’s currency. Larger cars were built from 1926 on, but small sporting models like this one remained in production.
Restored in white with black wings and a matching black interior, this Derby boasts an overt sporting style with rudimentary wings. It has seating for two with a longitudinally offset configuration compensating for the narrow cockpit. Tight and tidy, it looks ready for adventure, its 1,094 cc Chapuis-Dornier power plant taking pride of place in the compact engine compartment. The car is a very nice example of this seldom-seen French marque.
Story by RM Sotheby’s
