Bellanger (automobile)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive, Aero-engine manufacturing |
| Founded | 1912 |
| Founder | Robert Bellanger and siblings |
| Defunct | 1925 |
| Fate | Sold to Peugeot |
| Headquarters | Neuilly-sur-Seine, Paris (17th arrondissement) , France |
Area served | France |
Key people | Robert Bellanger |
| Products | Automobiles, aircraft engines |
| Parent | Peugeot (from 1925) |
Société des Automobiles Bellanger Frères was a French car manufacturer operating from 1912 until 1925. The enterprise was initiated by Robert Bellanger (1884–1966), who had earlier experience selling Delaunay-Belleville automobiles.
History of the business
In 1912, Robert Bellanger and his siblings founded the company to produce automobiles. Their production facility was situated in Neuilly-sur-Seine, on the northwestern outskirts of Paris, specifically on Rue de la Révolte (currently incorporated into Boulevard Pershing within the 17th arrondissement of Paris). This location was close to what is now known as the Palais des congrès de Paris near Porte Maillot (Paris Métro).
The cars were sold under the "Bellanger" label, occasionally displaying the full "Bellanger Frères" name on their emblems. The company adopted the slogan "Son capot est d'argent et son silence est d'or," which translates to "her bonnet is silver and her silence is golden."
During the 1920s, Robert Bellanger became involved in politics, leading to the sale of the business to Peugeot in 1925, amid a wave of mergers among smaller French automobile manufacturers. By 1928, ownership of the factory shifted once more, this time to Automobiles L. Rosengart, which produced licensed adaptations of the Austin 7.
Throughout First World War, Bellanger also engaged in manufacturing aircraft engines. Even after divesting from automobile production, the company continued aero-engine manufacturing until 1928. It was recognized as one of the licensed producers of the Renault 12Fe (300 CV) aircraft engine.
The cars
Just before the outbreak of First World War, Bellanger introduced its initial vehicles equipped with sleeve valve engines supplied by Daimler, with engine capacities ranging from 2000 cc up to 6300 cc. The smaller displacement models were frequently utilized as taxis in Paris.
During wartime, manufacturing efforts were redirected toward military equipment.
Automobile production recommenced in 1919 with the A1 model, which featured a 3.2-litre four-cylinder side valve engine designed by Valentin Laviolette, formerly associated with Spyker. By this period, Bellanger had transitioned to sourcing engines from Briscoe Frères.
At the 15th Paris Motor Show held in October 1919, Bellanger presented its postwar range consisting of three models:
- "Bellanger Type A1," equipped with a 4-cylinder 3,170 cc engine delivering 17 HP, Wheelbase
- "Bellanger Type D," featuring a 4-cylinder 4,240 cc engine producing 30 HP, Wheelbase
- "Bellanger Type F," powered by a V8 6,340 cc overhead valve engine generating 50 HP, Wheelbase
The "Type F" represented the top-tier offering and was priced at 60,000 francs for the chassis alone.
In 1928, three years following Bellanger’s factory sale, De Dion-Bouton briefly manufactured Model JP vehicles fitted with vee-shaped radiators and marketed them as "Bellanger Model B1," though this production lasted less than a year.
External links
- Bellanger logo
- GTÜ Gesellschaft für Technische Überwachung mbH (accessed 9 March 2013)
References
- Articles with short description
- Car manufacturers of France
- French brands
- Defunct motor vehicle manufacturers of France
- Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1912
- Vehicle manufacturing companies disestablished in 1925
- French companies established in 1912
- 1925 disestablishments in France
- Vintage vehicles
- Motor vehicle manufacturers based in Paris