The 175 two-stroke 1923 - 1929
1923 MB1 Men's Model 175 cm3 2T
Unique model manufactured in Pantin in 1923. Its vocation is essentially utilitarian, although the advertising poster designed by Marcel Dupin represents it in a women's version, accompanied by a tennis player. The 1923 production is confidential, essentially consisting of prototypes. The actual start of production takes place at the end of 1924, the company's statutes having been officially filed on December 11, 1924.
1923 MB1 Dame et Ecclesiastique Version 175 cm3 2T
This open frame version is offered to customers who wear a dress. A protective net prevents it from getting caught in the spokes. The nickel-plated steel grid above the cylinder prevents the driver from burning herself on the cylinder head. The sale price is ex-factory. This solution was common at a time when the agent network was still embryonic.
The very young brand is actively looking for agents in the provinces, as evidenced by this advertisement in "Cycles & Motocycles Industriels" dated October 28, 1923.
The MB1 had originally been offered with direct drive, but by the time that this example was built a two-speed, hand-change gearbox had become available. Displacing 175cc, drive is taken from the gearbox to the rear wheel with a belt and simple girder forks are fitted. Listed as the "Modele Pour Homme" it was complemented by a lady's model with a drop tube frame, listed as "Modele Ecclesiastique", we can only speculate as to what the marketing people were suggesting about the French clergy of the time!
Sources: H&H Classic Auctions; Patrick Barrabès archive.
