This car and horse jumping contest was filmed at the La Chapelle racecourse in France before the 1927 Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris. It appears to have been entertainment during the event, that is the French equivalent of the Grand National, a famous steeplechase in England. During the running of this prestigious event, which was first run on May 25, 1874 there are twenty-three fences to be jumped in the three mile long race.
Can any of our readers tell us more about the driver or the car which appears to be a Peugeot?
That’s just hilarious, David. At first I thought I would see that little Peugeot drive around the first steeplechase jump. I laughed out loud when I saw it come flying over the hedge.
Perhaps of some significance is the word “snubbers” that is visible along the nearside frame rail. Could this event have been staged to promote a particular brand of early shock absorber? I also note that, despite any confidence the organizer might have had in his product, the car was still equipped with a pair of skids under the front axle should some vital component become detached after one of the brave driver’s leaps.
The skids are as was used in racing if a wheel came off or a spindle broke….. fairly bizarre isn’t it?
I’ll say it is, David. I’ve only seen a driver intentionally get that much air under a car in video of auto “thrill shows” like Joie Chitwood’s many decades later and, of course, on the modern day pro rally circuit. Can’t help but think that the jockey’s lower back felt a whole lot better than the Peugeot driver’s the next morning
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