1925 Avion Voisin C3 by Rothschild et Fils

A Masterpiece of French Elegance and Engineering

The Avions Voisin C3 represents the pinnacle of French luxury automobiles in the 1920s, blending advanced engineering with bespoke craftsmanship. While most Voisins were designed in-house by Gabriel Voisin, this particular long-chassis C3 stands apart, featuring coachwork by Rothschild et Fils, one of Paris’s finest and most prestigious coachbuilders of the interwar period. Known for their meticulous craftsmanship and refined detailing, Rothschild et Fils created a rare and elegant body that perfectly complements Voisin’s advanced mechanicals.

This C3 Cabriolet Transformable is an exquisite example of 1920s French automotive artistry, boasting both technical innovation and striking design.

Technical Specifications

• Engine: 3,969 cc sleeve-valve inline-four
• Power Output: 80 bhp
• Transmission: Four-speed manual
• Suspension: Front and rear semi-elliptic leaf springs
• Brakes: Four-wheel drum brakes
• Wheelbase: 3,570 mm

Designed for effortless power and smooth operation, the sleeve-valve engine was remarkably quiet and efficient, while the long wheelbase provided exceptional ride quality.

Provenance: The Architect of Skyscrapers

An original owner’s plaque, still present on the car, identifies the first caretaker as T. Markoe Robertson, a prominent American architect residing at 59 Rue Pierre Charron, Paris (8th Arrondissement).

A 1910 graduate of Yale, Robertson was a pioneer in skyscraper construction, designing notable Art Deco masterpieces in New York, including 29 Broadway. He was married into the prestigious Biddle family of Philadelphia, frequently featured in society pages, best-dressed lists, and Vogue magazine.

It is believed that this C3 remained in France until the 1990s, when it was imported to a museum in the Carolinasbefore being acquired by a pair of Connecticut collectors, who later sold it to John Moir.

A Spectacular Restoration by David Steinman

When John Moir acquired the C3, it was remarkably complete and well-preserved, even appearing in concours events in its original condition. Eventually, it underwent a meticulous, period-correct restoration by David Steinman of Waitsfield, Vermont, who brought it back to its former glory with extraordinary attention to detail.

Design & Features

• Exterior Finish: Rich hues of bronze and deep brown, with a matching brown leather roof
• Interior: Sumptuously appointed with heavy woodwork, ornate fittings, and nickel trim
• Rear Seat Upholstery: A vibrant tiger-pattern cloth, sourced from a specialty fabric shop in Miami
• Ingenious Details:
  • A running-board tool chest that cleverly conceals an insulated wine cooler, originally designed to hold a single bottle of Rothschild wine

Every aspect of the restoration was executed to preserve the car’s character and elegance, ensuring that it remains one of the finest surviving examples of its kind.

Concours Success & Recognition

This Voisin became one of John Moir’s favorite show cars, achieving numerous accolades at prestigious events, including:

• Best in Class at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance (2001)
• Best in Show at the Motor Cars of Radnor Hunt in Pennsylvania (2002)
• Exhibited at the AACA Museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania

Additionally, it was photographed by Michael Furman for his book Motorcars of the Classic Era and featured in 100 Cars 100 Years by Fredric Winkowski.

Included with the car is a collection of documents on the Voisin marque, along with an original U.S. brochure and a large album documenting its restoration.

A True Icon of French Coachbuilding

Now being offered back in the country of its birth for the first time in many years, this 1925 Avions Voisin C3 Cabriolet Transformable is a remarkable piece of automotive history. As a rare example of Rothschild et Fils craftsmanship on an iconic Voisin chassis, it represents:

• The pinnacle of 1920s French luxury automobiles
• A masterpiece of Art Deco-era design and engineering
• A concours-winning, meticulously restored classic with impeccable provenance

With its unique history, breathtaking design, and award-winning restoration, this Voisin C3 is a highly desirable collector’s car, embodying the very essence of French elegance and innovation.