Bollack Netter and Co
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | January 1923 |
| Founder | Lucien Bollack, René Netter |
| Defunct | 1935 |
| Headquarters | Levallois-Perret , France |
Key people | Lucien Bollack, René Netter, Jacques Muller, Charles de Ricou, André Siréjols |
| Products | Automobiles, cyclecars, racing cars |
Bollack, Netter, et Cie (French: Bollack Netter et compagnie), widely recognized as B.N.C., was a modest French car manufacturer headquartered at 39 Avenue de Paris in Levallois-Perret.
History
Established in January 1923 by engineer Lucien Bollack, formerly associated with Hispano-Suiza, alongside financier René Netter, B.N.C. appointed Jacques Muller, nicknamed "Jack," as its technical director. Muller's earlier creation, the J.M.K. cyclecar, served as the foundation for B.N.C.'s initial model, the "DZ."
B.N.C. earned a reputation for crafting competitive cyclecars that secured numerous rally victories despite modest sales figures. Toward the late 1920s, the company shifted focus to upscale markets by producing larger touring vehicles and exceptionally lightweight racing cars; however, consumer interest remained limited. In 1928, entrepreneur Charles de Ricou took control of the firm, displacing Bollack and Netter. Renowned for revitalizing struggling automotive businesses, de Ricou's acquisition coincided poorly with the release of the sizeable eight-cylinder "Aigle," launched mere days before the 1929 Wall Street crash precipitated a lengthy economic slump in France.
Following his takeover of B.N.C., de Ricou also acquired Lombard and Rolland-Pilain, presenting all three marques together at the 1931 Paris Motor Show with a prominent dual exhibit opposite the Grand Palais. Among the vehicles displayed was the new 2-litre six-cylinder B.N.C. coupé named "Vedette ADER," which ultimately never reached production.
In 1931, B.N.C. unveiled sporty front-wheel-drive models featuring pneumatic suspension systems; nevertheless, these advancements failed to reverse the company’s decline. Operations ceased shortly afterward.
André Siréjols, a driver who had been designing custom bodies for B.N.C., purchased the remaining inventory of parts and continued assembling a limited number of vehicles into the 1950s under the label "B.N.C. Siréjols." These last continuation cars were powered by Ford’s 1172 cc "10 HP" flathead side-valve engine.
Automobiles
Beginning with the DZ model, B.N.C. rapidly expanded its range to more than ten variants within its first year, offering three different chassis and engine configurations alongside multiple body styles.
Focusing on sports cars akin to those produced by Amilcar, B.N.C. utilized engines from suppliers such as Ruby (927 cc) and S.C.A.P. (900 cc). Subsequent models incorporated larger 1,100 cc powerplants from S.C.A.P. or Chapuis-Dornier, often equipped with Cozette superchargers. The majority of vehicles featured three-speed transmissions, although some were upgraded to four-speed gearboxes. In 1927, the B.N.C. Sport was introduced, equipped with overhead-valve engines from S.C.A.P. or Ruby, spoked wheels, and a distinctive slanted radiator grille. By the late 1920s, B.N.C. ventured into producing larger passenger cars under the "Aigle" nameplate, powered by four- to five-liter eight-cylinder engines sourced from Lycoming.
To showcase reliability, a standard B.N.C. fitted with an 1,100 cc Ruby engine completed a continuous 24-hour run on the then-unpaved Le Mans circuit in 1928, maintaining an average speed exceeding .
After Lucien Bollack was removed from company leadership, he retained exclusive rights to import Lycoming engines and manufactured the large Lycoming-powered Aigle in 1929. Production was extremely limited—likely only one unit—and operations concluded by 1930.
Competition
B.N.C.'s most distinguished motorsport success came with a double win at Fontainebleau during the 1927 Bol d'Or, piloted by the racer Violette Morris.
At the 1928 Le Mans event, a B.N.C. secured seventh place. The 1929 edition featured three B.N.C. entries: two equipped with 995cc engines that retired early, and a 1500cc model which managed 88 laps before withdrawing. Notably, this latter vehicle was fitted with a distinctive vertical radiator grille instead of the usual slanted style.
In 1930, B.N.C. claimed victory in its category at the Spa 24 Hours endurance race. The next year, despite leading its class, mechanical issues caused by engine failure relegated the car to thirteenth position; it was driven by Arthur Duray and Charlier. Today, B.N.C. automobiles still actively compete in rally events.
Popular racing models
- B.N.C. Super Sport
- B.N.C. FCD
- B.N.C. 527
See also
External links
- Amicale BNC (in French)
- Articles with short description
- Articles containing French-language text
- Car manufacturers of France
- Defunct motor vehicle manufacturers of France
- Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1923
- Vehicle manufacturing companies disestablished in 1935
- French racecar constructors
- Cyclecars
- French brands
- 1935 disestablishments in France
- French companies established in 1923