Lorraine-Dietrich B3-6 from 1924, which even made it to Russia
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Lorraine-Dietrich B3-6 from 1924, which even made it to Russia

After the end of World War I, Lorraine returned to France, which allowed production to resume cars and aircraft engines based on the Lorraine-Dietrich company. Already in the next decade, a number of new names appeared in the brand's model line.


Among them there was room for both four- and six-cylinder cars. Basically, the Lorraine models of a century ago were the following list:

✅ 12CV (2,3 liters) – “four”
✅ 15CV (3,5 liters) – “six”
✅ 30CV (6,1 liters) – “six”

The most famous of these was the 15CV B3-6, which even made it into the history books by winning the first and third 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1925. The following year, they completely broke Bentley's streak of success, winning all three races.

Lorraine-Dietrich B3-6 from 1924, which even made it to RussiaLorraine-Dietrich B3-6 (1924-1932). Photo: youtube.com

This development led to Lorraine becoming the first brand in the world to win the famous classic endurance race twice. And that this was no mere coincidence was proven by their continued dominance for several years after their first triumph.

The first ever two-time winner


In 1925, a consistent, reliable and fast 15-horsepower sports car put an end to Bentley's dominance. At the same time, it got rid of all other rivals. This made the B3-6 an automotive legend already in the late 20s of the last century.

The unambiguous success of 1926, when all three first places were taken by the Lorraine-Dietrich B3-6, was a real event. After that, the company decided to release a new sports version on a short-wheelbase chassis.


Sports chassis No. 125563 left the factory in 1926. It was equipped with a 3-seater "Torpedo" with a rear deck from the famous coachbuilder Henri Labourdette. This car also had other features:

✅ dual ignition system
✅ two Zenith carburetors
✅ maximum speed of 145 km/h

In the factory catalog it was called "Le Mans" and had large servo brakes, an oil cooler, and other distinctive features of this modification were the smooth lines and the rear deck made of varnished wood.

Good ergonomics were maintained due to the fact that the running boards contained storage boxes. They also helped to achieve a streamlined body design. One of these cars was dug up by historian and collector Serge Pozzoli in the late 60s in the house of the first owner. It was located in the north of France, in Vigneja. Its registration dates back to 1929.

Front of the car. Photo: youtube.com

Returning to the competition, it is worth noting that the data from one of the races showed that the car traveled almost 2149,5 km. At the same time, its average speed was 89,56 km/h. After its success at Le Mans, it took part in other races. In the Spa Francorchamps 24 Hours of 1925, the sports car was fifth.

At that time, only one car was equipped with two carburetors. But when this concept was transferred to other crews, it brought the triumph of 1926 closer. That year was also the last time it participated in competitions as an official factory model. However, private owners continued to race the Lorraine-Dietrich B3-6 until 1935. Let's focus in more detail on the design of this sports car.

Technical features of Lorraine-Dietrich B3-6


The first cars in human history were very similar to the carriages in which the rich traveled. Moreover, the name "carriage with a motor" speaks for itself. The B3-6 was also not out of the ordinary:

✅ four-door body
✅ design of a four-seater phaeton
✅ front engine type
✅ rear wheel drive

The power unit was a gasoline inline engine. It had liquid cooling and an overhead cylinder arrangement. And here are other engine characteristics:

✅ six-cylinder
✅ two valves for each of them
✅ working volume - 3446 cubic meters. cm
✅ power – 100 l. s/74 kW at 3800 rpm
✅ four-speed manual transmission

The cylinder diameter was 75 mm, and the piston stroke was 130 mm. The car's design used a front solid axle and longitudinal leaf springs. The rear part also had an axle of the same type and longitudinal quarter-elliptical springs. The physical parameters of the car were:

✅ length – 4,7 meters
✅ width – 1,7 meters
✅ height – 1,7 meters
✅ wheelbase - 2890 mm
✅ wheel track – 1400/1400 mm

To the above, it is worth adding the unladen weight of 1,5 tons and front drum brakes. The rear ones had the same design. The maximum speed of the car in the latest modifications reached almost 150 km/h.

In the early 30s, the company abandoned the double name, becoming simply "Lorraine". The 15CV model continued to be produced until 1932. After that, its successor, the new 20CV, was introduced. Unfortunately, the changes were not for the better. This project was simply an expensive failure for the French.

Some versions of the B3-6 had a spare tire in the rear. Photo: youtube.com

As a result, everything ended very sadly: the manufacturer Lorraine left the car market in 1935. After that, they focused mainly on military orders of the local government. But some of the legendary cars of the "golden generation" have survived to this day.

Restoration of surviving copies


The previously mentioned car with registration number 5423 МВ1 (obtained in 1929) was kept for many years in the Pozzoli collection. After it was sold in 1994, this example fell into the hands of M. Tanri. The latter, immediately after acquiring it, sent it to Patrick Schoffer for restoration.

Almost all original parts were present, with the exception of the brake servo. During the repair work, the engine was rebuilt and the body was disassembled to bare metal. After that, a repaint was done, and the woodwork was restored to its original condition. However, some damaged walnut planks on the rear deck required the intervention of a talented cabinetmaker.

Spoked wheels and rear storage box. Photo: youtube.com

The restoration work was confirmed by a six-page article in Auto Retro magazine. Later, Jacques Poterat supplemented it with another article in the same publication. A separate plate is installed on the dashboard, confirming that this chassis corresponds to the 24 Hours of Le Mans of 1926. Such an element was provided by ACO to be later used for marketing and tourism purposes.

Re-introduced in 2021 (after a decade of inactivity), this Lorraine-Dietrich is in excellent technical condition. Its clear history, unquestionable authenticity and bodywork from a distinguished coachbuilder make it a very attractive car for collectors.

Another model, redesigned in 1997, received an original engine, developing power up to 100 hp. Its maximum speed increased to 160 km/h. But the legendary cars have survived not only in foreign countries, they are also on the territory of Russia.

Front row of seats and spare tire on the right side. Photo: youtube.com

During the retro-vintage exhibition in Moscow's Domodedovo, the 3 Lorraine-Dietrich B6-1928 was presented. This happened five years ago at a free temporary event in the new internal atrium of the airport terminal. The accompanying information indicated that the car weighed 1,067 tons and had an 80-horsepower engine.
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