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1927→1930 Amilcar C6

The C6 is a production version of Amilcar’s successful 1925 six-cylinder race car known as the CO. As a result this customer version was frequently raced by gentleman drivers for voiturette races and hillclimbs in Europe.

With an aluminum body, short wheelbase and small chassis, the C6 is exceptionally light. This benefits the 1100cc engine which is both supercharged and high revving. The engine is a fully modern DOHC design with a roots-type supercharger and dry sump lubrication. It has a 7-main bearing crankshaft which can withstand speeds of 6500-7000 rpm.

Overall design of the car borrows much from the Type CO racecar it was based off. The production version has detached cylinder heads and plain white metal main bearings, but is outwardly typical of the factory race cars including the same chassis, axles, cable-driven drum brakes and transmission.1

In period, Amilcar was up against rivals such as Salmson, BNC and even Bugatti. After the model’s debut at the 1926 Paris Motor Show, the first C6 was completed for a Montléry test and the claimed top speed of 165 kph was nearly met with a timed run of 162.078 kph. Shortly afterward Amilcar was ready to offer the car beginning in 1927.1

The C6 was intended for limited sporting clientele which was willing to pay three times as much as Amilcar’s entry level offering. It was offered with optional fenders and spare tire while the a detailed dashboard came as standard with two tachometers, pressure gauges but no speedometer.1

In the 1100cc class, the C6 was a great performer and was rarely challenged due to lack of competition. Many C6s stayed competitive even after the war.1

Recommended Further Reading

1. Gilles Fournier & David Burgess Wise. Amilcar. Dalton Watson Fine Books, 2006.

Story by Supercars.net

In Detail

type Racing Car
production years 1927 – 1930
released at 1926 Paris Motor Show
built at France
production 55
engine Inline-6 w/Dry Sump Lubrication
position Front, Longitudinal
aspiration Roots-Type Supercharger
ignition Scintilla Magneto
block material Cast Iron
valvetrain DOHC, 2 Valves per Cyl
fuel feed Bronze Solex Carburettor
displacement 1094 cc / 66.76 in³
bore 56 mm / 2.2 in
stroke 74 mm / 2.9 in
power 46.2 kw / 62 bhp
specific output 56.67 bhp per litre
bhp/weight 112.73 bhp per tonne
redline 6000
body / frame Steel Frame
driven wheels RWD
wheel type Rudge-Type Wire Wheels
front tires 4.00×19
rear tires 4.00×19
front brakes Cable-Driven Cast Iron Drums
rear brakes Cable-Driven Cast Iron Drums
f suspension Solid Axle w/Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs, Fiction Dampers
r suspension Rigid Axle w/Quarter-Elliptic Leaf Springs, Fiction Dampers
curb weight 550 kg / 1213 lbs
wheelbase 2184 mm / 86 in
front track 1092 mm / 43 in
rear track 1092 mm / 43 in
transmission 4-Speed Manual
tran clutch Single Dry Plate
top speed ~165 kph / 102.47 mph
city fuel econ epa 12 L/100 km or 19.60 mpg-us
hwy fuel econ epa 20 L/100 km or 11.76 mpg-us
fuel capacity 100 litres or 26.40 gal.