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 Contal - 432 Mototri
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Photo ou archives : archives FMD
8112

Capacity : 432
Model : Mototri
Production : 1905 - 1907
Category : (R) Street Bike

MOTO TRI-CONTAL

3.5 hp - 1907

The mad motorists

They called the contestants in the 1907 Peking-Paris auto race "the mad motorists" – and none was crazier than Auguste Pons. He proposed to cover the 10,000-mile route, which included the Gobi Desert and the trackless wastes of Siberia, on a tiny motor tricycle.

Severe Test

Pons and the Contal became famous with a spirited performance in the 1906 "Coupe du Matin" race. This would prove to be a far more severe test of the little three-wheeler.

Lost in the Desert

The theory was that a light vehicle would stand a better chance in roadless country, as it would be less likely to sink in mud than a car. In case there were ditches to cross, special removable wings were fitted to bridge the gap (although the third wheel hung down between them). There were just two speeds, provided by epicyclic gearing in the rear hub. Since the little Tri-Contal didn't have enough pace to carry enough fuel and other supplies, it had to rely on the goodwill of other competitors to transport anything that didn't fit – a "gentleman's agreement" was drawn up for mutual aid between Pons and two other contestants. But the roads outside Peking were so bad that the Tri-Contal had to be towed and put on a train to Nankow, some 40 miles along the route. Seven days later, the Tri-Contal lost touch with the other cars in the Gobi Desert and ran out of gas. The crew's money was with their supplies, on another car. They walked in search of help and were rescued after 36 hours by Mongol horsemen. Pons and his companion Foucault abandoned their tri-car in the desert and made their way back to Peking.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 432cc (80x86mm) water-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke

Power Rating: 4-5 hp

Valves: side

Fuel System: carburetor

Transmission: 2-speed epicyclic, cone clutch; primary reduction by gearing; chain final drive

Suspension: leaf springs (front); rigid (rear)

Brakes: band brake (rear)

Wheels: 650mm clincher (front & rear)

Weight: 1540 lb fully loaded

Maximum Speed: 22 mph

The robust construction of the Moto Tri-Contal proved unable to withstand the journey across the Gobi desert in the 1907 Peking-Paris Race.




Le fichier Moto Passion réalisé par François-Marie Dumas réunit près de deux mille photos accompagnées d'un historique très complet des machines présentées.
Il sera progressivement mis à jour ici et toute information complémentaire est la bienvenue sur info@moto-collection.org.

Cette documentation unique, qui constitue sans doute l'encyclopédie la plus exhaustive jamais écrite sur l'histoire de la moto, a été réalisée avec l'assistance de nombreux spécialistes dont principalement Didier Ganneau, Christophe Gaime, Mick Woollett, Jean Goyard, Bernard Salvat, Christian Rey, Yves Campion, Helmut Krackowizer, Michael Dregni, Michel Montange, etc. que je remercie ici.

Disponible sur demande :
- Les fiches originales sur papier
- Les photos et archives signées de mon nom en haute définition ou les documents originaux.
Me contacter sur info@moto-collection.org pour les conditions et droits d'utilisation.