Automobiles Rally

Automobiles Rally

Company type	Private
Industry	Automotive
Founded	1921
Founder	Eugène Affovard Asnière
Defunct	1933
Headquarters	Colombes , France
Products	Sports cars, cyclecars

Automobiles Rally was a niche manufacturer specializing in sports cars, headquartered in Colombes, a suburb located near Paris. The company operated from 1921 until it ultimately closed in 1933, largely due to the economic downturn caused by the Great Depression. Rally was recognized for producing elegant vehicles focused on performance, competing alongside brands such as Amilcar, B.N.C., and Salmson.

History and products

Established in 1921 by engineer Eugène Affovard Asnière, Rally's first offering was a traditional cyclecar equipped with a 989 cc V-twin engine sourced from Harley-Davidson. From 1922 onward, the firm utilized proprietary power units around 1.1 liters and incorporated transmissions supplied by manufacturers including Chapuis-Dornier, CIME, Ruby, and S.C.A.P.. The early Rally vehicles were characterized by their elongated, lightweight frames with two seats arranged in a staggered layout for driver and passenger.

At the 1926 Paris Salon, Rally debuted the underslung Grand Sport model featuring a supercharged 1,093 cc Chapuis-Dornier engine producing , capable of reaching speeds close to . Production of the Grand Sport ranged between 14 and 16 units starting in 1927, with prices around FF 42,900 in 1928. These cars were equipped with mechanical drum brakes and three-speed manual gearboxes.

In 1927, the Rally ABC was introduced, offering three inline-four engine displacements: 1,093, 1,170, or 1,494 cc. Certain versions included optional Roots-type superchargers. Wheelbase lengths varied from , and the "1100" variant achieved approximately . The "ABC" name derived from its lowered chassis design (abaissée). Production of the ABC series ceased in 1930.

Beginning in 1931, Rally incorporated the 1,300 cc twin-cam Salmson S4 engine into the Rally N lineup—more durable successors to the ABC models—paired with four-speed transmissions. These vehicles frequently bore both "Salmson" and "Rally" emblems, signaling Salmson's exit from racing and collaboration with Rally. The N series included the short-wheelbase NC (courte) variant and the more powerful NCP (courte puissante). Additionally, a limited R-series featured an experimental 1,480 cc straight-eight engine from S.C.A.P., likely serving as a prototype.

At the 1932 Paris Motor Show, Rally presented the Rally R15, which introduced a new 1,466 cc Salmson S4-C engine while continuing production of the smaller N series models.

Financial hardships during the early 1930s compelled Rally to halt operations in either 1933 or possibly 1934 after considerable investment in motorsport activities. Despite modest production numbers, numerous Rally automobiles have survived and continue to participate in vintage car events.

Competition

Rally ABC models took part in the 1932 and 1933 editions of the Mille Miglia road races, securing third and fourth places at the San Sebastián Grand Prix. Another ABC vehicle achieved third place at the 1929 "Double Twelve" event held at Brooklands.

The Rally N type competed in the Belgium Grand-Prix 24H of Spa-Francorchamps races in both 1931 and 1932, winning its class for vehicles up to 2000 cc on two occasions. In 1931, Ms. Lagoute claimed victory in her class at La Course de côte internationale de la Turbie. The following year, M. Ledur won the 1500 cc category at the Criterium international Paris-Nice, while Ms. Lagoute earned first place among convertibles at the Grand-Prix des voitures transformables during the Concours d'Elégance de Vichy. Rally type N also competed in the 24H of Le Mans endurance races in both 1932 and 1933; a Rally NCP powered by a Salmson 984 cc engine participated in the 1934 race but failed to finish. Jean Danne entered the Monte-Carlo Rallye of 1933 starting from Valencia, Portugal. In 1935, Emile Scordel won the sport class for 1500 cc vehicles at the Grand-Prix de Lorraine held in Seichamps.