Automobiles Lombard
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1927 |
| Founder | André Lombard |
| Defunct | 1929 |
| Headquarters | Puteaux , France |
| Products | Automobiles (Lombard AL1, AL2, AL3, AL4, AL5) |
Automobiles Lombard was a French car manufacturer that operated between 1927 and 1929.
André Lombard
André Lombard started his professional journey with Salmson, where he gained prominence as a racing driver before advancing to the role of Commercial Director. A conflict with Salmson's Technical Director, Émile Petit, regarding the quality of production machinery resulted in Lombard leaving the company in 1923, bound by a five-year non-compete contract.
Commencement of automobile design
Despite the restrictions of the agreement, Lombard recommenced vehicle development four years later, presenting the Lombard AL1 and two streamlined AL2 prototypes at Montlhéry. These models were further refined into the Lombard AL3, marking the firm's initial production vehicle launched in 1927. Designed by Edmond Vareille, these cars embodied the "light voiturette" concept. The company's official registered office was located in Puteaux.
Car manufacturing
During the 20th Paris Motor Show held in October 1926, Lombard introduced the AL3, equipped with a 1,083cc four-cylinder twin-overhead camshaft engine; certain versions featured superchargers. Manufacturing ended in 1929 after roughly 94 vehicles—mainly AL3s—had been produced.
Manufacturing sites
The early production took place under E. Briault in Courbevoie. From 1928 onwards, assembly was managed by Les Fils de É. Salmson at Boulogne-Billancourt. Another account indicates assembly activities at Argenteuil by BNC. All these facilities were situated near Paris, the central hub for French automobile manufacturing. Upon halting production in 1929, BNC acquired leftover parts and several incomplete Lombard vehicles.
Vehicle models
The company’s lineup included:
- AL1 (1927) – Single prototype racing car
- AL2 (1927) – Two aerodynamic racing prototypes
- AL3 Mk I (1927)
- AL3 Mk II (1928)
- AL4 (1928) – Unique prototype
- AL5 (1929) – Sole prototype
Racing achievements
W.H. "Bill" Lowe drove a Lombard AL3 in the 1929 Australian Grand Prix, securing third place overall and winning in the 901cc to 1100cc category.
Reading list
- Harald Linz, Halwart Schrader: Die Internationale Automobil-Enzyklopädie. United Soft Media Verlag, München 2008, . (German)