The C6 is a production version of Amilcar’s successful 1925 six-cylinder race car known as the CO. As a result this customer version was frequently raced by gentleman drivers for voiturette races and hillclimbs in Europe.

With an aluminum body, short wheelbase and small chassis, the C6 is exceptionally light. This benefits the 1100cc engine which is both supercharged and high revving. The engine is a fully modern DOHC design with a roots-type supercharger and dry sump lubrication. It has a 7-main bearing crankshaft which can withstand speeds of 6500-7000 rpm.

Overall design of the car borrows much from the Type CO racecar it was based off. The production version has detached cylinder heads and plain white metal main bearings, but is outwardly typical of the factory race cars including the same chassis, axles, cable-driven drum brakes and transmission.¹

In period, Amilcar was up against rivals such as Salmson, BNC and even Bugatti. After the model’s debut at the 1926 Paris Motor Show, the first C6 was completed for a Montléry test and the claimed top speed of 165 kph was nearly met with a timed run of 162.078 kph. Shortly afterward Amilcar was ready to offer the car beginning in 1927.¹

The C6 was intended for limited sporting clientele which was willing to pay three times as much as Amilcar’s entry level offering. It was offered with optional fenders and spare tire while the a detailed dashboard came as standard with two tachometers, pressure gauges but no speedometer.¹

In the 1100cc class, the C6 was a great performer and was rarely challenged due to lack of competition. Many C6s stayed competitive even after the war.¹

Recommended Further Reading

1. Gilles Fournier & David Burgess Wise. Amilcar. Dalton Watson Fine Books, 2006.

Story by Supercars.net

In Detail

type	Racing Car
production years	1927 – 1930
released at	1926 Paris Motor Show
built at	France
production	55
engine	Inline-6 w/Dry Sump Lubrication
position	Front, Longitudinal
aspiration	Roots-Type Supercharger
ignition	Scintilla Magneto
block material	Cast Iron
valvetrain	DOHC, 2 Valves per Cyl
fuel feed	Bronze Solex Carburettor
displacement	1094 cc / 66.76 in³
bore	56 mm / 2.2 in
stroke	74 mm / 2.9 in
power	46.2 kw / 62 bhp
specific output	56.67 bhp per litre
bhp/weight	112.73 bhp per tonne
redline	6000
body / frame	Steel Frame
driven wheels	RWD
wheel type	Rudge-Type Wire Wheels
front tires	4.00×19
rear tires	4.00×19
front brakes	Cable-Driven Cast Iron Drums
rear brakes	Cable-Driven Cast Iron Drums
f suspension	Solid Axle w/Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs, Fiction Dampers
r suspension	Rigid Axle w/Quarter-Elliptic Leaf Springs, Fiction Dampers
curb weight	550 kg / 1213 lbs
wheelbase	2184 mm / 86 in
front track	1092 mm / 43 in
rear track	1092 mm / 43 in
transmission	4-Speed Manual
tran clutch	Single Dry Plate
top speed	~165 kph / 102.47 mph
city fuel econ epa	12 L/100 km or 19.60 mpg-us
hwy fuel econ epa	20 L/100 km or 11.76 mpg-us
fuel capacity	100 litres or 26.40 gal.