In the late 19th century, the vehicle La Jamais Contente, meaning “The Never Contented” in English, made history as the first road vehicle to exceed 100 kilometers per hour (62 mph), marking a significant milestone in automotive progress.
La Jamais Contente was a Belgian electric vehicle with a torpedo-shaped body made of light-alloy. However, its aerodynamics suffered due to the driver’s elevated position and the exposed chassis. The body was built using a light alloy called partinium, which combined aluminium, tungsten, and magnesium.
h/t: vintag.es
On either April 29 or May 1, 1899, near Paris, France, La Jamais Contente set the land speed record in Achères, Yvelines. The vehicle had two Postel-Vinay 25 kW motors, each powering the rear axle with a chain. These motors ran at 200 V and drew 124 A individually, generating a total power output of around 68 hp. Michelin tires provided traction, and the chassis was labeled as number 25.
Camille Jenatzy, the Belgian driver of La Jamais Contente, was the son of Constant Jenatzy, a manufacturer of rubber products. Camille, an engineer specializing in electric-traction automobiles, became famous for his record-breaking speed runs. His red beard earned him the nickname “Le Diable Rouge” or “The Red Devil.” Sadly, Camille Jenatzy’s life ended abruptly in 1913 when he was accidentally shot during a hunting trip.
Jenatzy drove La Jamais Contente at an impressive speed of 105.882 kilometers per hour (65.792 mph), surpassing the previous record set by Count Gaston de Chasseloup-Laubat in a Jeantaud. Chasseloup-Laubat had achieved a speed of 92.78 kilometers per hour (57.65 mph) on March 4, 1899. After this significant accomplishment, gasoline-fueled combustion engines started to overshadow electric technology for the following century.
La Jamais Contente is proudly displayed at the automobile museum in Compiègne, France, where visitors can marvel at this iconic vehicle that made a lasting impact on automotive innovation.
