1897 Malicet & Blin Vis à Vis – Exterior and Interior – Oldtimer-Meeting Baden-Baden 2022
The Malicet & Blin Vis-à-Vis appeared at a time when the automobile was still an experimental machine rather than a standardized product. In the late 1890s, manufacturers across Europe were exploring different layouts, propulsion systems, and body configurations. The Vis-à-Vis seating arrangement—where passengers sat facing each other—captures this early phase of automotive design, when the car still closely resembled a motorized carriage.
Technical Details
The 1897 Malicet & Blin Vis-à-Vis belonged to the earliest generation of petrol-powered automobiles developed in France during the closing years of the nineteenth century. Its mechanical architecture followed principles derived from horse-drawn carriage construction, combined with emerging internal combustion technology.
The vehicle was powered by a small gasoline engine mounted beneath or behind the passenger compartment, depending on the specific configuration. Contemporary French sources generally describe engines of this type as single-cylinder or twin-cylinder units with modest output, typically between 2 and 4 horsepower. Such engines were water-cooled and operated at low rotational speeds, reflecting the technological limits of early combustion systems. Power was transmitted to the rear wheels through a chain-drive system, a common solution in the 1890s before shaft-driven transmissions became widespread.
The chassis was constructed from a lightweight steel or tubular frame combined with carriage-style suspension. Semi-elliptic leaf springs supported rigid axles at the front and rear, providing basic shock absorption on the often rough roads of the era. Steering was typically controlled via a tiller rather than a steering wheel, another feature inherited directly from early motorized carriages.
Braking systems were mechanical and extremely simple, usually acting on the rear wheels or directly on the drivetrain. Given the low speeds—often around 20 km/h—the braking requirements were relatively modest. The technical concept of the Malicet & Blin Vis-à-Vis therefore reflects a transitional phase in automotive engineering, where established carriage technology and the new internal combustion engine were combined into a workable but still evolving machine.
- Manufacturer: Malicet & Blin
- Model name: Malicet & Blin Vis-à-Vis
- Year of manufacturing: 1897
Design
The design of the Malicet & Blin Vis-à-Vis closely resembled the horse-drawn carriages that dominated personal transportation in the nineteenth century. The most distinctive feature was the seating arrangement itself: passengers sat face-to-face in two benches positioned opposite each other. This configuration gave the vehicle its name, “vis-à-vis,” a French expression meaning “face-to-face.”
Externally, the vehicle retained many visual characteristics of carriage construction. Large spoked wheels with narrow tires were positioned at the corners, while the body was mounted relatively high above the chassis. The overall silhouette was upright and open, with little protection from weather aside from optional folding canopies.
The driver’s position was often slightly elevated or offset to allow visibility of the road ahead. Instead of a conventional steering wheel, control was achieved through a vertical steering lever or tiller. Lamps mounted on either side of the body provided illumination for nighttime travel, typically powered by oil or acetylene.
Interior design was extremely simple. Upholstered bench seats offered basic comfort, while the open bodywork emphasized accessibility and lightness. Decorative elements such as polished wood trim or brass fittings reflected the craftsmanship traditions of carriage builders rather than industrial automobile manufacturing.
Historical Significance
Malicet & Blin was among the many French manufacturers participating in the rapid technological experimentation that characterized the 1890s automotive industry. Founded in the late nineteenth century, the company initially built bicycles before turning to automobiles, a transition common among early mobility manufacturers.
France played a central role in early automotive development, with numerous small companies producing experimental vehicles in the years before mass production emerged. The Malicet & Blin Vis-à-Vis belongs to this formative period, when manufacturers were still exploring basic questions of vehicle layout, propulsion, and usability.
The vis-à-vis configuration itself illustrates how early automobiles borrowed heavily from carriage traditions. Instead of the forward-facing seating arrangement that later became standard, early designers prioritized social interaction between passengers and familiarity with carriage design. Over time, however, this arrangement proved less practical for higher speeds and driver control, leading to the development of the front-facing driver’s seat and steering wheel layout that defines modern cars.
Although Malicet & Blin never achieved the scale of larger manufacturers such as Panhard & Levassor or De Dion-Bouton, the company’s vehicles represent an important part of the experimental phase that preceded the industrialization of automobile production in the early twentieth century.
Quirks and Pop Culture
Early automobiles like the Malicet & Blin Vis-à-Vis often attracted public curiosity and fascination. At the end of the nineteenth century, motor vehicles were rare and frequently appeared in demonstrations, exhibitions, and local races intended to showcase new mechanical possibilities.
The vis-à-vis seating arrangement itself became one of the more recognizable design quirks of early automobiles. Because passengers sat facing each other, conversation during travel remained central to the experience, reinforcing the social nature of carriage travel even as propulsion shifted from horses to engines.
Vehicles of this type are now most commonly seen in museums, historic motoring events, and early automobile rallies. Their unusual layout and exposed mechanical components make them popular exhibits illustrating how radically different the earliest automobiles were compared with modern vehicles.
Display and preservation
The vehicle was exhibited at the Oldtimer-Meeting Baden-Baden in 2022. Set in the elegant spa gardens of Baden-Baden, this open-air event is one of Germany’s most atmospheric classic car gatherings. The 2022 edition marked the 46th year of the meeting and featured over 350 carefully selected vintage vehicles from across Europe. With its picturesque backdrop and festive ambiance, the event draws thousands of visitors who stroll among historic automobiles, enjoy live music, and take in themed displays. In 2022, American classics and convertibles were especially well represented, reflecting the event’s continued celebration of both international and domestic automotive heritage.
Conclusion
The 1897 Malicet & Blin Vis-à-Vis reflects the experimental character of the automobile’s earliest years. Technically simple yet innovative for its time, it combined a small internal combustion engine with carriage-derived construction and a distinctive face-to-face seating layout. Its design shows how closely early automobiles followed the traditions of horse-drawn vehicles before the industry gradually developed new engineering standards. Today, the Malicet & Blin Vis-à-Vis stands as a reminder of a formative moment in automotive history, when the basic concept of the car was still being defined.
