Léon Elskamp

Léon Elskamp
  • Surname
    Elskamp
  • First name
    Léon
  • Date of birth
    1880
  • Date of death
    unbekannt / unknown

Growing up in a wealthy family, this Belgian became interested in cars at a young age, but initially raced motorbikes for the local brand Minerva. From 1900 to 1907, he worked for the Belgian car manufacturer Nagant Frères and in 1910, his compatriot Theodor Pilette, a racing driver who was already internationally renowned at the time, entrusted him with the Mercedes agency in Antwerp. At the French Grand Prix in August 1913, Elskamp came seventh in a Mercedes. In 1914, he opted for the Belgian manufacturer Nagant Frères, but dropped out of the spectacular race not far from Lyon on the 18th of 20 laps.

In the turmoil of the First World War, his Mercedes agency was lost, but Elskamp took over a Fiat branch, again in Antwerp, between 1919 and 1939. In motorsport competitions, however, he again relied on Mercedes and achieved victories in the Antwerp kilometre races between 1923 and 1925, among others. After the Second World War, he worked as a Vauxhall dealer until 1960 and remained associated with the car until his old age.

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