Lot 27: Frederick Gordon Crosby (1885-1943) '1913 Peugeot takes the lead',

Frederick Gordon Crosby (1885-1943) '1913 Peugeot takes the lead',
signed, charcoal and watercolour on paper, 66 x 91cm, mounted, framed and glazed.

The 1912 Peugeot L76 (L for Lion and 76 for engine size) was an extremely successful Voiturette racing car. Powered by a 4 cylinder in-line 7598cc engine, it was the first motorcar to use dual overhead camshafts, with four valves per cylinder and centrally mounted sparkplug. In 1912 it won the Mount Ventoux hill climb, Grand Prix de l'ACF, Coupe de Sarthe at Le Mans and the first Voiturette Grand Prix of France, in 1913 it defended it's title at Mt. Ventoux and Grand Prix de L'ACF, as well as claiming victories at the 1913 Indianapolis 500, and four other French motorsport races and events, they also took a World Record at Brooklands for the half mile rolling start at a speed of 177kmh, making the Peugeot Team the most successful racing team in Europe in 1913.