Back to back: Sizaire-Naudin or Bergamotte?

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These two stunners are miles apart, but have one thing in common: they look ever so tempting to take out on a sultry spring or summer evening for a bit of trashing on B-roads - unpaved, no problem. Oh - apart from the fact that they are of a very similarly estimated value at Aguttes’ summer sale on the 20th – that’s one day before summer starts, and wouldn’t it be just a perfect start to your summer? Hang on, they are also as French as Roquefort cheese, which makes you wonder if they may even be sold outside the country? The final thing they have in common is a great national history - no doubt good for stirring up even more chauvinism.

1929 Antony  ‘Bergamotte’

The newest of the two is only 92 years old and is a French-built Antony known as ‘Bergamotte’. That’s citrus fruit to most of us, but French racing aficionados know it as this lovely works’ Special made by Louis-Auguste Antony in 1929. It was joined by others known as ‘La Punaise’ and ‘La Goutte’ and competed in the infamous Bol d’Or races. Louis Antony died in 1958, but his racing cars (there were six) remained hidden in a barn in the north of France for more than 60 years (except for one). According to the seller, this is perhaps the most interesting of all, as it was the boss' own car and the one with the best track record. It has been raced at Toul-Nancy, Lorraine, the Routes Pavées and the Grand Prix de la Montagne in Germany, where it was timed at 136 km/h. It made it to the Bol d’Or six times between 1930 and 1948.  The car has a 500cc Triumph T120 bike engine, chain drive and no brakes at the rear...

1906 Sizaire-Naudin

Over to the older type in this comparison: a 1906-vintage Sizaire-Naudin Sport Type F. It was built by brothers Maurice and Gorges Sizaire and their partner Louis Naudin of Courbevoie. Their company had already had a bumpy ride in ’06, but good times lay ahead. They returned home with trophies from the Coupe des Voiturettes in 1906, 1907 and 1908 and the Targa Florio of 1907. Things were soon to take a different turn, but there is no doubt that this mighty racer dates from the company’s heyday. It is an 8hp Sports model with a huge 1,224cc single-cylinder engine. Its early history is unknown, but the record does go back to 1975 when a Dutch enthusiast restored it. It comes complete with cycle wings and spare wheel and is also said to be in superb working order. So… which of the two, monsieurs et madames..?

Words by Jeroen Booij. Pictures courtesy of Aguttes.

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