1925 Lorraine-Dietrich B3-6
Pilots: G. Courcelles, André Rossignol
Team: Gérard de Courcelles
Race: 1st GC (S 3.5 class) at Le Mans in 1925
Ixo - LM 1925 (diecast)
Published 07/30/18
Initially specializing in railway equipment, the “Société Lorraine des Anciens Établissements de Dietrich & Cie de Lunéville”, better known as Lorraine-Dietrich, began making automobiles in 1896. After manufacturing military equipment (including aircraft engines) during the First World War, the company started producing cars, and in 1922 technical director Marius Barbarou introduced the new B3-6 model. The following year the manufacturer took part in the first edition of the 24 Heures du Mans in 1923, and their B3-6 managed an eighth 8th place. Subsequently Lorraine-Dietrich was back at La Sarthe the next year, and again with a B3-6 did even better, scoring a second and third places. But the next year, in 1925, the B3-6 came in first place overall.
The B3-6 was powered by an inline-6 with 3446 cm³, hemispherical chambers, 12 valves and SOHC. With the two Zenith 42 HKG carburetors it produced about 100 hp. With rear wheel drive, it counted on four gears to transmit power to the ground. Also, it was one of the first cars to have brakes on all four wheels, with Dewandre-Reprusseau servo-assisted drum brakes.
Another clunker and a nice one from Ixo. However, being honest, I would say it’s even a bit better than my Chenard et Walcker. In general terms Ixo does a very good job on these old cars. Well, they due have their faults, like pegs behind the headlights’ lenses (“dead eyes”). But even so, for the price, they’re quite good.
Yeah, I know, clunkers are not for everybody. But Le Mans winning clunkers? And nice models? My kind of cars.