De Dion-Bouton Tricycle

The De Dion Bouton Tricycle is a three wheeler and has a whistle mounted on the exhaust to warn other road users.

A whistle is mounted on the exhaust of this tricycle. With a small lever, the driver can close off the exhaust and route the gases through the whistle to warn other road users. That is quite necessary too, because the petrol engine developed in 1895 by Georges Bouton can deliver very sporty performance, especially thanks to the light weight of this three wheeled vehicle. The engine runs at high revs, and Bouton even has to develop a special electric ignition system to keep it under control. The brand De Dion Bouton, based in Puteaux near Paris, is highly successful and claims to have sold no fewer than 22,000 vehicles between 1895 and 1900. This Tricycle can also be counted among the bestsellers, partly because the French army placed a large purchase order.