Solved - NEH 239: Henri Baldet 1957

Carnut · January 27, 2010, 11:23:31 AM

First new one for today; what is it for 1 point?

Carnut · February 04, 2010, 09:22:22 AM

It's moving time...

guido66 · February 04, 2010, 02:31:49 PM

Henri Baldet 1957

Carnut · February 04, 2010, 02:44:39 PM

Quote from: guido66 on February 04, 2010, 02:31:49 PM
Henri Baldet 1957

Yes. UK-built, apparently!

DynaMike · February 04, 2010, 06:21:13 PM

I guess the hood is originally from a Renault Dauphine ;D

Paul Jaray · March 08, 2016, 05:41:19 AM

Could this Henry Baldet be related with Andre Baldet's Moto Baldet?

Carnut · March 08, 2016, 06:06:18 AM

Was Henri a Frenchman (I have a feeling this car might be British despite its French-sounding name)?
That shop is in the UK (I doubt whether many Bond Minicars made it over the Channel to France...!)

If the Henri Baldet was British then I would be very surprised if there is not a connection.

Paul Jaray · March 08, 2016, 06:26:55 AM

The Baldet has British license plates, probably from the same area.
Moto Baldet was from Northampton.
They were Vespa dealers, they modified some Lotus too and are still active as a Citroen dealer.

"French-born Mr Baldet found fame both around Northampton and across the motoring industry for his daredevil stunts, which included driving a Vespa up Mount Snowdon.

The legendary businessman came to Northampton at the age of 20 to train as an RAF pilot at Sywell. After leaving the forces he had a spell working at his father's Toulouse motorcycle business before returning to Northampton in 1948 for a three-month working holiday.

He stayed until 1978 and then, in 1998, came back to end his days here.

He married his first wife Didi in 1945. The couple had four children; Derina, Andrea, Francoise and Marie-Therese, and during his first marriage he started his career as an entrepreneur while working for Stokes & Glazebrook in Grove Road.

After being left in charge for a week with six motorbikes and no money he bought and sold 33 bikes. After this he set up a business himself selling Vespas and motorcycles, and rapidly became the biggest Vespa dealer in the UK."

Carnut · March 08, 2016, 07:00:39 AM

I think you've answered your own question!

Paul Jaray · March 08, 2016, 08:19:10 AM

His name was Andre and his children were (are?) Derina, Andrea, Francoise and Marie-Therese.
There is nothing about an Henri related to Baldet Motor :-\
I think it's no coincidence, of course, but can't be sure.

Carnut · March 08, 2016, 08:58:09 AM

The registration code of the Henri Baldet is VV ('M' is just a sequential letter - they used to go AVV, BVV etc) was issued in..... Northampton!
I don't believe in coincidences!

nicanary · March 08, 2016, 11:32:40 AM

He did re-marry, although there is no mention on the net about any children.

Moto-Baldet did all sorts of things. They definitely did a "hot" conversion of the Imp range, and I recall them being entrants in motor sport in the 1960s.

shamrock · March 08, 2016, 11:41:04 AM

Andre raced a LOTUS CORTINA at Phoenix Park , his address was Moto Baldet

Carnut · March 08, 2016, 11:42:18 AM

Quote from: Paul Jaray on March 08, 2016, 08:19:10 AM
His name was Andre and his children were (are?) Derina, Andrea, Francoise and Marie-Therese.
There is nothing about an Henri related to Baldet Motor :-\
I think it's no coincidence, of course, but can't be sure.

Maybe Henri was André's brother? Or Dad?

nicanary · March 08, 2016, 11:46:05 AM

I was about to suggest that - he's too old to be a son. Shamrock got there before me about the Lotus Cortina which he raced extensively in 1964, and in 1965 Moto Baldet entered Bill Nicholson's MGB and Andre shared an Alpine with Nicholson in the Brands Hatch production sports car enduro.

He didn't half have varied interests - Vespa, Elan, Lotus Cortina, MGB, Alpine, Imp..........

Paul Jaray · March 08, 2016, 11:53:08 AM

Quote from: nicanary on March 08, 2016, 11:46:05 AM
I was about to suggest that - he's too old to be a son. Shamrock got there before me about the Lotus Cortina which he raced extensively in 1964, and in 1965 Moto Baldet entered Bill Nicholson's MGB and Andre shared an Alpine with Nicholson in the Brands Hatch production sports car enduro.

He didn't half have varied interests - Vespa, Elan, Lotus Cortina, MGB, Alpine, Imp..........

Yes, but all that is about the known Andre.
The 3-wheeler should be featured in Kerry Croxton's book with no additional info. I hope to find a copy to check it.

nicanary · March 08, 2016, 12:49:07 PM

A website which specialises in Renault cars mentions this Dauphine-fronted 3-wheeler, and claims that Henri Baldet was well-known for preparing Lambretta scooters for competition.

Seems a bit at odds with Andre and his Vespa agency.

Carnut · March 08, 2016, 01:02:23 PM

Quote from: nicanary on March 08, 2016, 12:49:07 PM
A website which specialises in Renault cars mentions this Dauphine-fronted 3-wheeler, and claims that Henri Baldet was well-known for preparing Lambretta scooters for competition.

Seems a bit at odds with Andre and his Vespa agency.

Yes, but it's too much of a coincidence that there would be two unrelated Baldets, both living in Northampton and both with an interest in racing scooters! As I said, I don't believe in coincidences.

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Solved - NEH 239: Henri Baldet 1957