Léon Bollée, son of the great pioneer of steam locomotion Amédée, started the automobile business with a patent registered on 4 December 1895 for a three-wheeler tandem powered by a single-cylinder 650 cc engine developing 3 HP, air cooling, glow tube ignition, three speeds and a tubular frame. The clutch, gearbox and brake controls were operated by a single lever. The three-wheeler immediately attracted a lot of interest, and its construction was initially entrusted to the company Hurtu, Diligeont et Cie, and then to Société des Voiturettes Système Léon Bollée, based in Paris. The Bollée 3 HP made its debut on 14 September 1896 in the Paris-Marseille- Paris race and two years later reached 60 km/h on the flying kilometre.