Miguel Sánchez
In its beginnings, motorsports received a great influence from aviation. In fact, in various biographies, both industrial and individual, both fields of automotive technology are hopelessly intertwined. In this sense, Hispano-Suiza represented a good example. Developing aircraft engines forged in aluminum that, already after the First World War, were adapted with great success to the saga H6. In fact, Hispano-Suiza's own history finds points of connection with the biography of Gabriel Voisin. Undoubtedly, one of the most polyhedral and interesting characters for motorsport between the wars.
But let's go in parts. This being the case, it would be best to situate ourselves at the Universal Exposition in Paris held in 1900. One of those places where, in the days prior to the information society, the new wonders of technology were displayed with no little pomp and pageantry. And it was there that a very young Gabriel Voisin contemplated for the first time the prolegomena of aviation. In fact, they so fascinated him that he abandoned his studies in architecture to focus entirely on building contraptions for flight. At this point, around 1902 he founded his own early aircraft factory in the company of his brother.
Moreover, for a time he was completely convinced that he had been the true pioneer of aeronautics. What's more, he came to defend him publicly against the pressures of the Wright brothers, who traveled to France in order to claim his merits based on chronological evidence. However, the truth is that Gabriel Voisin approached the design of his aircraft with a more global perspective than that deployed by the Americans. Thanks to this, still not going down in history as the father of aviation, he has indeed been recognized as the first to provide solutions to each and every one of the challenges posed by it during its seminal years.
In addition, his approaches based on simplicity and efficiency did not stop evolving during the decade of the tens. Because of this, in 1911 he began to manufacture his airplanes entirely in metal. Something very strange for the moment. Since these were produced by mixing light elements made of wood and textiles. However, time proved him right. Especially after the outbreak of the First World War. When their airplane helmets were obviously more effective against any attack than those made of materials as flimsy as they were flammable.
Thanks to this, Gabriel Voisin amassed a real fortune during the war by producing thousands of warplanes for the French Republic. What's more, many of them were equipped with Hispano-Suiza engines, so his biography was clearly linked to that of Marc Birkigt. Nevertheless, After the war in Europe his interests turned to motoring. Specifically towards the high-end. Just the one in which, without too many budget problems, I could apply everything learned in aeronautics.
Given this situation, Gabriel Voisin focused on two lines of work. The first had to do with the intensive use of aluminum in the bodies. Always designed under criteria related to subordinating form to function, prioritizing lightness. In addition, with regard to the second, the idea also It was quite innovative for the times.. And it is that, due to the massive adoption of the combustion engine, the mechanics were no longer as simple and smooth as those based on steam or electricity could be.
In other words, manufacturing combustion cars without loss of silence and a reduced number of parts was becoming a challenge. Something for which Gabriel Voisin was surrounded by a large group of engineers. It's more, one of them was André Lefèbvre. In the end really successful at Citroën thanks to its essential participation in the genesis of the Traction Avant, the 2CV or the DS. Thus, that technical team decided to start experimenting with a double sliding jacket motor.
Just the same design patented by Carles Yales Knight before the First World War. Putting silence at the center of his efforts due to the lack of conventional valves. Of course, the big problem was lubrication. Something similar to what happened with rotary engines when applied in large series by NSU or Mazda during the sixties. Nevertheless, the Voisin house knew how to solve the difficulties posed by the Knight engine and, despite setbacks such as the one played by the ambitious C2 prototype with its V12, it was able to establish an effective family of engines with four and six cylinders in line.
Thanks to this, at the beginning of the 1935s Voisin was already recognized as one of the best French automobile brands. In fact, in 25 he presented his C24 based on the chassis of the C2994 Aérodyne. One of its most iconic models, also taking its engine with XNUMX cubic centimeters and two carburetors from it. Yes indeed, giving it more compression to increase horsepower to 95 hp. In addition, it had adjustable shock absorbers and a curious gearbox with three options. The reverse gear, one gear for the highway and one for the city. In short, a compendium of state-of-the-art technology at the service of simplicity and efficiency. Pure Voisin character.
Only 28 units of this model were built, bodied in different presentations, although always with the particular Art Deco touch of the house. A fact visible in the winged hood ornament as well as in the original upholstery of the passenger compartment. Details with which, even after almost a century has passed, the Voisin C25 remains one of the most fascinating cars of all time. By the way, another day we will deal more closely with the mechanical reasons for its smooth running. Stay tuned to this header.
Photographs: RM Sotheby's
