1904 Gobron-Brillie

In 1904 a French made Gobron-Brillie car becomes the first to top a 100 mph. Louis Rigolly drove his Gobron-Brillie vehicle to 103.55 mph.The Gobron-Brillie vehicles were renowned for their technical prowese. This vehicle uses opposed pistons with two pistons per cylinder. The pistons in the cylinders come together compressing the charge before the explosion forces them out.
One of the best-known and most individual pioneer French cars, the Gobron-Brille was made by the partnership of Gustav Gobron and Eugene Brillie. In an effort to make a more efficient engine, Gobron and his engineers came up with a vertical-opposed plan - that is, two pistons per cylinder using a crank shaft and journal with rods passing between the cylinders to operate the top pistons.
The 1909 chassis under this Victoria Tourer carriage work carries a massive 11,398-cc, six-cylinder, 12-piston power plant. It has a four-speed selective transmission, double chain drive with two brake pedals, one for each rear wheel. The carriage was great luxury for the taste of the Edwardian graneur in Australia, where it was originally delivered.