1903 Darracq 40 HP Racer

Automobiles Darracq S.A. was a French motor vehicle manufacturing company founded in 1896 by Alexandre Darracq.
The company began competing in auto racing as a way of gaining publicity for its products. Paul Baras drove a Darracq to a new Land speed record of 104.53 mph at Ostend, Belgium, on November 13, 1904.
With the new V8 Special another new world record was set by a factory built Darraq special on December 30, 1905 when Victor Hémery drove his V8 Special to a speed of 109.65 mph at Arles, France.
Notable drivers who raced Darracqs were Louis Chevrolet, Victor Hémery Louis Wagner and Vincenzo Florio, who later founded the Targa Florio.
Exhaustive info about the V8 Special.