1951 Mochet Cyclecar

M. Charles Mochet established in 1927 a large business in Puteaux, outside Paris manufacturing pedal cars for adults as a serious means of transport. These appealed to the austere 1930s Paris market, and were produced right into the World War period, but production of “recombent bicycles” so fashionable today commenced in around 1934, and a large number were produced. At the same time, the famous powered “velocar” was introduced, and immediately became popular on account of not requiring a driving licence. Improvements were made over time, with handlebar steering and bicycle wheels being replaced by a car-type steering wheel and less spindly smaller diameter road wheels.

The machines were still not over-burdened with sophisticated equipment, but they were light weight, economical and reliable, and proved very popular, and many are still being enthusiastically enjoyed even now.

After 1945, Charles and his son Georges now produced a series of Zurcher powered velocars, some with auxiliary cycle type pedals for the passenger to assist the engine but in 1950 the CM 125 was introduced (producing 3.5 bhp) and performance was more than adequate without pedal assistance.
Bodywork was now pressed steel, and at last a shape with three dimensional curves was evolved; earlier cars utilised only single plane curves. Several thousand of these microcars were produced from 1950-1957, in various forms, including a “commerciale” truck version, the Grand Luxe model with full width front panel incorporating built-in headlamps, and even a 2 door roll top coupe. Later cars used the Ydral engine, and a 175cc Zurcher model with a top speed approaching 40 mph was introduced for those holding a driving licence.

Some 40 cars a month were produced, and several examples of the CM 125 are known to exist, mostly on the continent, as it is believed that none reached these shores in their heyday. A flourishing website www.mochet.org covers all Mochet production, and examples are to be found in collections around the world.

This CM 125 from the mid-period is a good and very original example, and the chassis has been extensively restored and the car runs very well; indeed it was intended as a present for the owners young son, but proved far too fast! The body appears to be complete, and with a little work, a very interesting and unusual machine would rejoin the world of cyclecars.

A Finished Example

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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