Charron-Girodot et Voight (1906)

Charron-Girodot et Voigt (CGV) was an automobile company out of Puteaux France which built their first car in 1901. Fernand Charron, Leonce Girodot, and Carl Voigt built expensive, touring cars for five years. By 1906, Girodot and Voigt left the company and Automobiles Charron LTD began building armoured cars for the military.

This CGV was the grandest vehicle owned by Lars and Isabel Anderson. They purchased the car in France during a vacation in 1906 for $23000. That equates to $650000 in today’s dollars. The car had a 4-cylinder motor that produced 75HP and allowed the big touring car to travel at speeds of up to 80 MPH. The Anderson’s used the car for several years for long distance travel. Their other homes in Winniepocket NH and Washington DC were often their favourite destinations. The rear seat converted into a bed. Two smaller seats contained a hidden sink and toilet.

The car’s nickname was Winniepocket.

The electric starter was invented in 1912. This car was built during a period in which all cars used hand cranks for starting. The hand crank of this car is missing. It is believed that a disgruntled chauffeur sawed off the crank in 1919 when he grew tired of cranking the car when so many other more modern automobiles could be started with a simple electric starter.