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1951 CM-125 Mochet Luxe

The French Mochet was a truly timeless car, with a simplicity of design that remained faithful to Charles and his son Georges philosophy of "if it isn't there it can't break".

The car sold well, partly because a license was not required, and partly because the new postwar French cars from Citroen and Renault had a waiting period of years, compared to Mochet’s six weeks.

Mochet's primitive external contracting band brakes would continue to the end of production. Another stone-age feature was the gearbox separate from the motor. The feeble little Zurcher engine produced its 3.5 hp only after a very precise, exacting break-in period involving eleven five minute stops at carefully prescribed intervals. No wonder the Ydral engine was in the works.

This example from the first year of production has the nose section flanged and bolted instead of welded, and has the early primitive "homemade"steering wheel that was replaced by a proper 3-spoke one in 1953.

Manufacturer: Etablissements Charles Mochet, Puteaux, France

Model: CM- 125 Luxe Motor: Zurcher, 2-str Body: Steel
Years Built: 1951 - 1953 No. Cylinders: 1 Chassis: Tube
No. Produced: 1250 Displacement: 125 cc Suspension Front: Coil
No. Surviving: Horsepower: 3.5 Suspension Rear: Leaf Spring
Length: 2 400 mm Gearbox: 3 Steering: Spindles
Width: 1 130 mm Starter: Pull Brakes: Cable
Weight: 150 kg Electrics: 6 v 4 Wheels: 450-65
Interior: Bench Ignition: Magneto Top Speed: 40 kph

© 2002