Roi-des-Belges explained
French: Roi-des-Belges|i=no ("King of the Belgians") or tulip phaeton was a car body style used on luxury motor vehicles in the early 1900s. It was a double phaeton with exaggerated bulges "suggestive of a tulip".[1] [2] The rear bulges accommodated two corner seats like tub armchairs which were accessed from the rear by a central door with a small fold-down seat.
The Roi-des-Belges style began with a 1901 40 hp Panhard et Levassor with a Rothschild body commissioned by Leopold II of Belgium, Roi des Belges.[3]
The style and the name Roi-des-Belges were used on many makes of the time, including Mototri Contal, Packard, Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, Spyker,[4] and Renault[5] and by other coachwork builders.
External links
Notes and References
- Book: Gartman, David. Auto opium:a social history of American automobile design. 2012-03-17. 1994. Routledge. 978-0-415-10571-2. 27. Early development of the automotive form. https://books.google.com/books?id=FbShKTpsGlcC&q=Tulip+phaeton&pg=PA15. Initially commissioned by King Leopold of Belgium, this elegant body had wide, bulging sides and a rear of double-reversed curves reminiscent of a tulip. This spacious body was popular on the expensive makes on both sides of the Atlantic, while the simple side-entrance tonneau or double phaeton was placed on less costly cars..
- Book: Bird, Anthony. Early Motor Cars. 1967. George Allen & Unwin. London UK. 139. Bodywork and Accessories. A new name, the Roi des Belges, was introduced into coachbuilding circles and was used to distinguish an opulently curving, tulip-like form which, if executed really well on a big enough scale, could have a superb effect..
- News: A good idea at the time: Roi des Belges body style. David. Burgess-Wise. David Burgess-Wise. The Daily Telegraph. 0307-1235. 27 Mar 2001. 2012-03-14. en. 'Why not make the seats of the car like these chairs?' she suggested, and the King was captivated..
- Web site: Andre Ritzinger . Spyker: one century of exotic cars - page 2 of 14 . Ritzsite.nl . 2009-01-26 . 2012-03-18. en.
- Web site: Renault Type BH 50 hp Roi de Belges 1909 for sale . PreWarCar . 2012-03-18.
