Spyker 14/18-hp Double Phaeton

A double phaeton is a luxurious open four seater carriage. In the early 20th century the phaeton was a very popular body style, especially in Great Britain.

A double phaeton is a luxurious open four seater carriage. In the early 20th century the phaeton is a very popular body style, especially in Great Britain. With this model Spyker therefore focuses on export. With that in mind, the brothers Spijker already give their company name a more international character in 1903 by changing the long ij into a y: Spyker. Outside the Netherlands the ij construction is hardly known. In 1880 Hendrik Jan and Jacobus Spijker started out in Hilversum as carriage builders. Six years later they moved to Amsterdam. In 1898 Jacobus bought a Benz, and shortly afterwards the brothers put an improved version on the market under their own name. Two years later they produced their first car of their own, a 5 hp two cylinder, in a new factory: Trompenburg, named after the estate of Captain Cornelis Tromp that once stood on that site. The car was not an immediate success; the Dutch preferred imported cars. This Spyker 14/18 HP with 2.5 liter four cylinder engine is the oldest known Spyker with an original factory body. The car was for a long time owned by the Koninklijke Nederlandsche Automobiel Club (KNAC).