De Dion-Bouton 15 hp Landaulet

Vehicle Overview

The De Dion-Bouton 15 hp Landaulet “Alessio” was a bespoke early motorcar constructed circa 1904, combining a De Dion-Bouton chassis with coachwork attributed to Carrozzeria Alessio of Rome. It represents an intersection of French mechanical engineering and Italian artisanal body construction during the formative years of private automobile commissions. The base chassis was supplied by De Dion-Bouton, a leading French manufacturer at the time, known for its refinement and widespread use in early European motoring. The 15 horsepower designation referred to the fiscal rating rather than brake horsepower. The engine was a front-mounted, single or twin-cylinder petrol unit, likely with a displacement between 2.5 and 3.0 litres. Water cooling and mechanical ignition were standard, as was a multi-plate clutch and a manual gearbox, typically offering two or three forward speeds. The drivetrain employed a de Dion-type rear axle with chain or shaft final drive, depending on the specific chassis series. The coachwork was executed by Alessio, an Italian coachbuilder active during the early 20th century, noted for constructing high-quality bespoke bodies on imported French and Italian mechanical bases. The Landaulet configuration consisted of an enclosed passenger compartment with a folding rear roof section, suitable for formal or ceremonial use. The vehicle featured a wood-framed structure clad in steel or aluminum panels, brass fittings, early glass windows, and leather-trimmed upholstery. The body style and level of finish indicate the vehicle was constructed as a custom commission. The only known example was delivered to Princess Maria Letizia Bonaparte. No production figures are recorded, and it is presumed that the model remained a one-off or part of a very limited batch of similar vehicles. No factory or coachbuilder records detailing total output have survived. Chassis numbers and subsequent ownership records remain undocumented. The current status and location of the vehicle are unknown. It does not appear in major public collections, nor is it listed in any recognized early automobile registries. The De Dion-Bouton 15 hp Landaulet “Alessio” represents a rare instance of cross-national coachbuilding practice during the veteran motoring era. Its significance lies in its association with aristocratic patronage and the transitional formality of motorcar body design prior to the industrialization of automobile production.