1927 Amilcar CGS Type S Voiturette, Registration no. BF 6205 Chassis no. 12440

* One of the great French sporting voiturettes
* Professionally restored in the USA 2002-2005
* Imported into the UK in 2012
* Recently refurbished and tuned

One of France's foremost exponents of sporting voiturettes, Amilcar was founded by Andre Morel and engineer Edmond Moyet to build cyclecars with sufficient performance for Morel to realise his dream of competition success. Emile Akar, a Paris businessman, and Joseph Lamy, an executive at cyclecar maker Le Zebre, backed the partners' prototype, which was enthusiastically received. Production of the CC, Amilcar's first model, commenced production in 1921.

Designed by Edmond Moyet, the CC featured Amilcar's own four-cylinder 904cc sidevalve engine, a three-speed gearbox, and quarter-elliptic springing, and would develop into the Types CS and 4C. The CC was praised for its excellent, responsive handling and adequate power, attracting a large and loyal following and setting the pattern for future models. It also provided Morel with his desired competition success when he became the 1100cc Class Champion of France in 1922.

The successor Amilcar CGS was by far the marque's most successful model, effectively establishing its reputation worldwide. Production began in 1924 and continued through 1929 with continuous improvement to a design of proven performance and reliability. Mostly fitted with two-seat bodywork (in aluminium at extra cost), the CGS encouraged owners to enter local competitions, in which it proved highly successful. In 1926 Amilcar introduced the CGS Type S (Surbaissé = under-slung) with a lower chassis and even more powerful engine, now making 40bhp from a displacement of 1,097cc. So popular was the Amilcar CGS that it was built under license in Italy, Germany, and Austria, and sold in the USA by no less than Maybach Motors in New York City.

This Amilcar CGSS was in un-restored condition when it was taken to the USA by its French owner, who carried out an amateur restoration in the 1990s. Subsequently, the car was purchased from the late owner's estate by a gentleman in California, and treated to a professional restoration between 2002 and 2005. Following the rebuild's completion, the Amilcar was run once at the Monterey Historic event and then sold to a new owner in Pennsylvania. In 2010, the car was sold to its next custodian in Florida and entered in the Amelia Island Concours. The current vendor imported the Amilcar into the UK in 2012, since when it has hardly seen any use. Noteworthy features include a Ricardo aluminium cylinder head; Jaeger white-faced reed-bezel instruments; superb Marchal headlights; and a tuned-length exhaust manifold by Vanparys of Boulogne (believed fitted since new).

While in the present ownership, the electrics have been rewired using armoured cable; the wheels refurbished and shod with new Blockley tyres and tubes; the fuel tank professionally cleaned; a new fabric coupling fitted between the engine and gearbox; and a new mohair 50/50 tonneau cover installed. In addition, the engine has been serviced and tuned. Offered with a V5C Registration Certificate and some bills, this beautiful Amilcar CGSS represents a rare opportunity to acquire one the great French lightweight sports cars of the Vintage era.