Chaigneau-Brasier
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Predecessor | Richard-Brasier |
| Founded | 1902 |
| Founder | Charles-Henri Brasier, Georges Richard |
| Defunct | 1930 |
| Successor | Chaigneau-Brasier |
| Headquarters | Ivry-sur-Seine , France |
| Products | Automobiles, Aero engines (Hispano-Suiza V8) |
Brasier was a French car manufacturer operating near Paris from 1905 until 1930. Initially established as Richard-Brasier in 1902, the company underwent a name change to Chaigneau-Brasier in 1926.
Origins
Charles-Henri Brasier, having gained experience with Panhard and Émile Mors, joined forces with Georges Richard in 1902 to create Richard-Brasier.[1] By 1905, Richard’s frequent absences due to his racing activities and injuries led to the dissolution of their partnership. Subsequently, Richard founded Unic, while the firm continued as Brasier, maintaining its manufacturing facility in Ivry-sur-Seine, just outside Paris.[1]
Early Brasiers
Prior to the First World War, Brasier produced a variety of vehicles featuring twin, four-, and six-cylinder engines, with an annual output near 1,000 automobiles.
World War I
Throughout the war period, Brasier manufactured Hispano-Suiza V8 aero engines that powered fighter aircraft such as the SPAD S.VII and S.E.5a. Nevertheless, these engines were known for their unreliability,[2][3] resulting in official advisories recommending their use only when no other options were available.[4]
After WWI
Production recommenced in 1919 with a model equipped with a 3404 cc engine. By 1920, Brasier presented two vehicles at their showroom located near the Place de la Concorde on the Champs-Élysées. The smaller model featured a 4-cylinder 3,392 cc (18 CV) engine and was offered with two wheelbase lengths (3300 or 3420 mm). The larger variant housed a 6-cylinder 5,325 cc (30 CV) engine on a 3650 mm chassis. Prices for bare chassis including tires were set at 22,500 francs and 40,000 francs respectively.
At the Paris Motor Show of 1924, Henri Brasier redirected the company’s focus away from large post-war vehicles toward the "Brasier Type TB4," introduced in 1923. This model was powered by a 4-cylinder 2,062 cc (12 CV) engine mounted on a 3100 mm wheelbase. Due to currency devaluation, prices were listed at 40,000 francs for the "Torpedo" body style and 45,000 francs for the "Conduite intérieure" sedan. However, Brasier’s market presence diminished as competitors offering more advanced designs gained ground.
Following its acquisition by the Chaigneau family—previously bicycle manufacturers—the brand was renamed Chaigneau-Brasier after 1926. Their initial offering was the TD-4, a 9 CV four-cylinder model available as a tourer or saloon. The company sought to revive its luxury car ambitions through technical innovation, unveiling a front-wheel-drive three-litre overhead camshaft model in 1928 that was described as "Utopian." A larger version appeared in 1930. Unfortunately, this period coincided with the economic downturn triggered by the Wall Street crash of 1929, which adversely affected sales opportunities.
Although these advanced models attracted attention at Paris Motor Shows—the prototype shown in 1928 was praised for having "the most modern chassis"—it remains uncertain how many units were produced. Financial difficulties worsened until an investment from Delahaye, which required additional production capacity, enabled Chaigneau-Brasier to continue briefly by shifting some truck manufacturing to its Ivry facility. Despite this support, operations ended by either 1930 or 1931.
Racing
Léon Théry competed in the 1908 French Grand Prix driving a Brasier but withdrew after completing 9 out of the 10 laps.
References
- Davis, Mick. Sopwith Aircraft. Ramsbury, Marlborough, Wiltshire: Crowood Press, 1999. .
- Hare, Paul. Mount of Aces – The Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a. Fonthill Media Limited, 2014. .
- Mason, Francis K. The British Fighter Since 1912. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1992. .