VOISIN TYPE C6 - Mullin Automotive Museum€¦ · Voisin’s experimental technology. The sleeve-valve engine, previously four cylinders (1.32 liters), was a six-cylinder model that
Gabriel Voisin’s original road racers,coined Laboratoires, were
rolling test bedsforexperimental technologies thatmaximized power,
economy, andsimplicity.In 1923 Voisin unveiled the Type C6
grandprix car, an experimental model thatembodied his knowledge
ofaerodynamics and engineering. The car’sunique shape and materials
wereinnovations in the history of sports cardesign.
Voisin developed the unorthodox Type C6in response to the
Automobile Club deFrance’s new regulations for the 1923season. In
six months Voisin and his chiefengineer, André Lefebvre, designed
thenarrow, lightweight, aluminum-bodiedType C6 Laboratoire. It was
anaerodynamic monocoque car with astreamlined profile inspired by
the wing ofan airplane. Its front end borrowed fromVoisin’s Type C5
series, but its engine wasbased on the Type C4. Aside from
these known elements, the
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mechanics were entirely new—a facthonored by the Type C6’s
nickname,Laboratoire. Like many Voisin prototypes,the Type C6 was a
rolling laboratory forVoisin’s experimental technology.
Thesleeve-valve engine, previously fourcylinders (1.32 liters), was
a six-cylindermodel that displaced 1.984 liters, yetretained the
dimensions of a 62 millimeterbore and a 110 millimeter stroke.
Theefficient water pump, driven by apropeller, was mounted on the
prow toenhance engine cooling. In addition,aluminum was
incorporated into thechassis construction, not only making
itrustproof, but also easier and safer tohandle at the speeds
achieved by Voisin’spowerful engines. Unfortunately only oneof the
four Laboratoires competing in the1923 Grand Prix de Vitesse
finished therace, earning fifth behind three Sunbeamsand a Bugatti
Tank.
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PROFILE
Coachbuilder Recreation by Philipp Moch
Chassis number 005
Body type Laboratoire
Number made 4
Production span 1923
Acceleration 0
Top Speed unavailable
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BODY | CHASSIS
Front brakes type Drum
Front suspension type Solid axle with semielliptical
leafsprings
