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1931 Voisin C20 Mylord Demi-Berline Gallery

Like all Voisins, the Mylord is the synthesis of eclectic design and unconventional solutions. One look under hood reveals one of the most complex engines from the pre-war era, a sleeve-valve V12.

First patented by pioneer Charles Knight in 1908, sleeve valves replaced standard poppet valves with moving sleeves that surrounded the piston to uncover intake and exhaust ports.

This complex system worked without return springs and enabled very high engine speeds with less stress than a conventional pushrod design.

The resulting quieter ride would offset the slight haze left by the exhaust as oil slipped between the sleeves.

Only one other car would use this technical engine, that being the 1932 Bucciali TAV8-32 with a Saoutchik body.

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