Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[lynnthorpe]

Great Automobile Designs (David Burgess Wise & ors, 1983) records that "a De Dietrich built to the order of Baron von Eckhartstein with Berline coachwork was fitted out by Maples in 1908 with a kitchen and space for a valet, for long distance touring."

The Baron was the Councillor and Chargee d'Affaires of the German Embassy in London and married in 1896 Grace, the daughter of the furniture magnate, Sir John Blundell Maple, baronet, who died in 1903. Their divorce, prompted partly by the Baron's extravagance but also by his infidelity, was the scandale of London in June and July 1907 and it seems unlikely that Maples would still have been taking his orders in 1908.

Does anyone have any more details of this car or the Baron?