Benjamin (automobile)

Benjamin (1921-1927)
Benova (1927-1929)

File:Emblem Benjamin.JPG
File:Benova B3 2-Seater Sports 1927.jpg Benova "Type B3" 2-seater Sports (1927)
Founded	1921
Defunct	1929
Fate	rebranded as Benova in 1927
Headquarters	Asnières, France Gennevilliers, France
Key people	Maurice Jeanson
Products	Cyclecars Automobiles

Benjamin was a Paris-area French manufacturer specializing in cyclecars from 1921 until 1927. The company underwent a rebranding in 1927, emerging as Benova, which continued operations until 1929.

Established by Maurice Jeanson at 139 Boulevard Voltaire in Asnières, Benjamin initially crafted cyclecars such as the Benjamin "Type A", "Type B", and the two-seat coupé "Type C". The "Type A" was equipped with a 751cc four-cylinder engine and weighed less than 350 kg, thus benefiting from advantageous cyclecar taxation. The "Type B" was powered by a 547cc two-cylinder engine, while the sportier "Type C" upgraded to an 817cc four-cylinder unit.

In 1924, the earlier smaller models were succeeded by the "Type AR", which featured a wheelbase of and rear-mounted two-stroke twin-cylinder engines available in 450cc or 525cc variants.

Building on this foundation, Benjamin expanded its offerings with the introduction of the "Type P2" and "Type P3". Starting production in 1924, the "Type P2" had a wheelbase of and was driven by a 550cc two-stroke twin-cylinder engine. The "Type P3" incorporated a three-cylinder two-stroke engine displacing 817cc. At the October 1924 Paris Motor Show, pricing ranged from 5,500 francs for the two-seat "Type AR" to 8,900 francs for the two-seat Torpedo-bodied "Type P2".

Restructuring and renaming

Following the opening of a second manufacturing facility at 39 Rue de Paris in Gennevilliers, the company launched a new series of vehicles powered by engines supplied by Chapuis-Dornier. This period also saw a corporate reorganization and a change of name to Benova. As consumer purchasing power increased during the mid-1920s and the cyclecar market waned, Benova pivoted towards producing conventional-sized automobiles, including models equipped with compact eight-cylinder engines.

At the 22nd Paris Motor Show held in October 1928, Benova presented three distinct models:

• The "Benova Type B3" was fitted with a Chapuis-Dornier side-valve four-cylinder engine of 0.95 litres capacity mounted on a wheelbase measuring . Available body styles comprised two- and four-seat Torpedos as well as a two-seat coupé.
• The "Benova Type E2" featured a Chapuis-Dornier overhead-valve four-cylinder engine displacing 1.1 litres on a wheelbase of , offered as a deluxe Torpedo ("Torpedo de luxe") and as a four-door sedan ("conduite intérieure souple").

Both B3 and E2 models were also offered in commercial configurations that included a rear hatch and removable rear seating.

• The "Benova Type G" utilized an eight-cylinder side-valve engine from S.C.A.P. with an initial displacement of 1402 cc, briefly increased to 1996 cc, mounted on a wheelbase of . Body options included the luxury Torpedo ("Torpedo grand luxe"), four-door sedan, and cabriolet.

Further reading

• Harald Linz, Halwart Schrader: Die Internationale Automobil-Enzyklopädie. United Soft Media Verlag, München 2008, . (in German)
• George Nick Georgano (Editor-in-Chief): The Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile. Volume 1: A–F. Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers, Chicago 2001, . (in English)
• George Nick Georgano: Autos. Encyclopédie complète. 1885 à nos jours. Courtille, Paris 1975. (in French)

External resources

• GTÜ Gesellschaft für Technische Überwachung mbH on Benjamin (accessed 23 March 2013)
• GTÜ Gesellschaft für Technische Überwachung mbH on Benova (accessed 23 March 2013)