Clément-Bayard

Clément-Bayard

Company type	Private
Industry	Automotive, Aviation
Founded	1903
Founder	Gustave Adolphe Clément
Defunct	1922
Fate	Ceased operations; Paris plant acquired by Citroën
Headquarters	Mézières and Levallois-Perret, Paris , France
Area served	France, United Kingdom (imports under Talbot marque)
Key people	Gustave Adolphe Clément (founder), Pierre Clerget (engine designer)
Products	Automobiles, aircraft, airships, aero engines, bicycles, motorcycles, generators, canoes, trucks
Number of employees	Up to 4,000 (circa 1907)

Clément-Bayard, alternatively referred to as Bayard-Clément, was a French enterprise specializing in the manufacture of automobiles, aircraft, and airships. It was established in 1903 by industrialist Gustave Adolphe Clément. In 1909, Clément received authorization from the Conseil d'Etat to append "Bayard" to his surname, in tribute to the Chevalier Pierre Terrail, seigneur de Bayard, whose statue was prominently positioned outside Clément's Mézières factory and incorporated into the corporate emblem.

Beginning in 1903, Clément-Bayard vehicles were manufactured at La Macérienne, a state-of-the-art facility located in Mézières. This plant had originally been designed by Clément in 1894 for bicycle production.

The company expanded into aviation in 1908, announcing plans in L'Aérophile to build Louis Capazza's lenticular airship 'planeur', although this project was never finalized. Additionally, Clément manufactured Alberto Santos-Dumont's Demoiselle No 19 monoplane, created for the Coupe d'Aviation Ernest Archdeacon. This aircraft became recognized as the first series-produced airplane worldwide. By 1909, Clément-Bayard held licenses to produce Wright engines alongside their proprietary designs.

In 1908, airship production under the name 'Astra Clément-Bayard' commenced at a newly established factory in La Motte-Breuil.

With the onset of World War I in 1914, German forces occupied the Mézières factory. Consequently, automobile manufacturing at Levallois-Perret, Paris was suspended as operations shifted toward military production, including equipment, vehicles, aero engines, airships, and aircraft.

The firm ceased operations in 1922, after which its Parisian plant was acquired by Citroën.

Circa 1909, Adolphe Clément officially adopted the surname Clément-Bayard following approval from the Conseil d'État.

Motor manufacturing

In 1896, Adolphe Clément—who possessed lucrative French manufacturing rights for Dunlop tyres—collaborated with Dunlop founder Harvey Du Cros to purchase Gladiator Cycle Company. This acquisition was integrated into a substantial bicycle conglomerate that included Clément, Gladiator & Humber & Co Limited. The product range broadened over time, and by 1902 motorized bicycles evolved into automobiles and motorcycles. The Bayard designation paid homage to Chevalier Pierre Terrail de Bayard, whose statue stood at the Mézières factory and was featured within the company’s logo. Initially, Clément-Bayard vehicles were imported into Britain under the Talbot marque.

Models

The early model range consisted of 9Hp, 12Hp, and 16Hp variants. By 1904 this expanded to include a 6Hp single-cylinder, a 7Hp twin-cylinder, as well as four-cylinder models producing 14Hp, 20Hp, and 27Hp.

By 1907, annual production at Levallois-Perret had increased from 1,800 to 3,000 units with a workforce of up to 4,000 employees. The lineup ranged from a compact two-seat twin-cylinder engine producing 8-10 hp to a larger four-cylinder model delivering between 50-60 hp capable of speeds exceeding 60 km/h.

That same year saw the introduction of the 10/12 hp model featuring an integrated gearbox and radiator mounted on the dashboard. In 1910, Clément-Bayard launched an elegant yet affordable two-seat roadster powered by a four-cylinder 10/12 hp engine equipped with a heater for both driver and passenger. This model remained popular until production was halted by World War I in 1914.

By 1913 both Levallois and Mézières plants were manufacturing automobile chassis and bodies alongside trucks, airships, airplanes, engines, canoes, bicycles, and generators. On November 15th of that year, the company announced a new four-cylinder engine rated at 30-40 Hp.

Entering early 1914, Clément-Bayard offered a portfolio of twelve models accommodating between two and six occupants. Engine options ranged from a modest twin-cylinder producing under 7 hp priced below 7,000 francs to a larger six-cylinder unit delivering around 30 Hp. Additionally available was a licensed four-cylinder 'valveless' (sleeve-valve) Knight engine sourced from Panhard.

Following the German occupation of the Mézières La Macérienne factory in 1914 and suspension of car production at Levallois-Perret—which shifted focus toward military vehicle and aero engine manufacturing—post-war production resumed featuring models with outputs of approximately 8 hp (6 kW) and 17.6 hp (13.1 kW).

• Clément-Bayard 20 CV
• Clément-Bayard 24 CV
• Clément-Bayard 30 CV
• Clément-Bayard 35/45 CV
• Clément-Bayard 60 CV

Motor racing

Clément-Bayard commenced its automobile manufacturing in 1903 and made its racing debut in 1904. The racing squad included drivers such as Albert Clément, Jacques Guders, Rene Hanriot, Marc-Philippe Villemain, 'Carlès', "De la Touloubre", A. Villemain, and Pierre Garcets.

1904 season

On 20 May 1904, Albert Clément secured 10th place in the I Eliminatoires Françaises de la Coupe Internationale, a qualifying event permitting only three entrants per nation for the Coupe Internationale. He completed the six-lap, 532.79 km race in just over seven hours. Fellow competitors Jacques Guders and Rene Hanriot were unable to finish.

Clément achieved victory at the II Circuit des Ardennes des Voiturettes held on 24 July 1904 in Bastogne. He covered five laps totaling 240 km in under four and a half hours at an average pace close to 54 km/h, driving an 18Hp Clement-(Bayard?). Additionally, he recorded the fastest lap at nearly 64 km/h.

The next day, Clément attained third place in the III Circuit des Ardennes, a five-lap competition spanning nearly 591 km. Meanwhile, teammates Guders and Hanriot retired after four laps.

In October, Clément finished second in the I.W.K. Vanderbilt Cup Race on Long Island. During this ten-lap (457.686 km) contest, he led the eighth lap.

1905 season

During June's II Eliminatoires Françaises de la Coupe Internationale at Auvergne, Albert Clément withdrew after one lap due to engine overheating. Rene Hanriot completed the race in tenth position but did not qualify; Marc-Philippe Villemain retired after three laps.

At the 1905 Vanderbilt Cup on Long Island, Clément competed with an 80 hp Clément-Bayard but encountered mechanical difficulties affecting performance.

In September's II Coppa Florio at Brescia, Italy, Clément retired following the first lap, while teammate 'Carlès' withdrew after two laps.

1906 season

For the inaugural 1906 French Grand Prix at Le Mans, Clément-Bayard entered three vehicles. Albert Clément finished third driving a 100Hp car, completing the 1,238 km race in 12 hours 49 minutes and 46.2 seconds. He led laps two and five on day two of the event. Tyre manufacturer Michelin introduced detachable rims that significantly reduced tyre change times from approximately fifteen minutes to around four minutes. This innovation aided competitors such as Felice Nazzaro on FIAT, who surpassed Clément for second place. Notably, Clément's father owned Dunlop France. Teammates "De la Touloubre" and A. Villemain retired after three and five laps respectively.

On 13 August 1906 at Bastogne's V Circuit des Ardennes, Clément finished sixth over a distance of 961 km in just over six hours driving a 100Hp Clement-Bayard. His teammates A. Villemain and Pierre Garcet finished eleventh and twelfth respectively.

At the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup, Clément secured fourth place behind the wheel of a 100hp Clément-Bayard (#15), averaging a speed of 59.0 mi/h across ten laps.

1907 season

Albert Clément lost his life during practice for the 1907 French Grand Prix on 17 May. Among the three other Clément-Bayard vehicles entered, Pierre Garcet and Elliott Shepard secured 7th and 8th positions respectively, while 'Alezy' withdrew after completing four laps.

1908 season

For the 1908 French Grand Prix, Clément-Bayard fielded three cars equipped with a 13,963 cc (155 x 185 mm) four-cylinder overhead camshaft engine. Victor Rigal achieved a 4th place finish, Fernand Gabriel came in 12th, whereas Lucien Hautvast and his riding mechanic Jean Chassagne retired from the race.

Other events

Clément-Bayard claimed victory at the Coupe de Calais in 1905 and delivered strong performances at the Course de Dourdan. The marque also triumphed in the Coupe de l’Automobile-Club de Cannes consecutively in 1907 and 1908, and secured the win at the Tour de France Automobile in 1908.

Aeroplane manufacture

As one of the pioneering French producers of aircraft engines and lighter-than-air vehicles, Clément-Bayard began aviation activities in 1908 and manufactured the globe’s first mass-produced aircraft.

In collaboration with Louis Capazza, the company developed the Bayard-Clément glider ('planeur'), which was presented in L'Aérophile magazine in May 1908.

That same year, Clément-Bayard teamed with Alberto Santos-Dumont to construct his Demoiselle No 19 monoplane, intended for competition in the Coupe d'Aviation Ernest Archdeacon. Although initially planned for a production run of 100 units, only 50 were completed, with 15 sold at a price of 7,500 francs each. This marked the first instance of series production aircraft globally. By 1909, buyers could choose among three engine variants: Clement’s own 20 hp; a licensed Wright four-cylinder 30 hp; or a Clement-Bayard 40 hp engine designed by Pierre Clerget, capable of reaching speeds up to 120 km/h.

Pierre Clerget was responsible for designing several Clement-Bayard powerplants, including a supercharged seven-cylinder radial engine, a four-cylinder 40 hp unit used on the Demoiselle, a four-cylinder 100 hp engine for 'Hanriot Etrich' monoplanes, as well as a V8 200 hp engine for airships.

The Clement-Bayard Monoplane No. 1 made its debut at the Paris exhibition in 1910. Jean Chassagne played a key role in its development and testing phases, contributing to achievements in endurance, altitude, and speed competitions.

By 1912, Clément-Bayard's production lineup included a biplane alongside three types of horizontally opposed aircraft engines.

In November of that year, the Clement-Bayard Monoplane No. 5 was introduced, featuring a Gnome seven-cylinder rotary engine delivering . The pilot operated from an aluminium and leather cockpit.

The following year saw the release of the Clement-Bayard No. 6, a military-oriented three-seat biplane designed to carry two observers positioned ahead of the pilot. This model was powered by either a four-cylinder Clement-Bayard or Gnome engine.

By 1914, Clément-Bayard had developed a steel scouting monoplane equipped with nickel steel armor capable of resisting rifle fire. It was powered by either an motor or a Gnome et Rhône engine.

Airship manufacture

In response to the French Army’s initiative to develop airship capabilities, 'Astra Clément-Bayard' commenced airship construction at La Motte-Breuil in 1908.

The Clément-Bayard No.1 airship was offered to France's government but was considered too expensive; instead it was sold to Tsar Nicholas II for use by the Russian military.

Piloted by Maurice Clément in 1910, the Clément-Bayard No.2 became the first airship to cross the English Channel—covering more than 380 km within six hours. Following this achievement, the French army placed orders for three identical airships.

The airship hangar located at La Motte-Breuil is still maintained today by Clément-Talbot Ltd.

Clément-Bayard Dirigibles

A total of seven Clément-Bayard airships were constructed:

• N° 1: Measuring 56.25 meters in length and 10.58 meters in width, with a volume of 3,500 m³, powered by two Clément Bayard engines rated at 115 cv. Its inaugural flight occurred on 28 October 1908.
• N° 2: This model was 76.50 meters long and 13.22 meters wide, holding 7,000 m³, equipped with two Clément Bayard 120 cv engines and achieving a maximum speed of 54 km/h. It first flew on 1 June 1910.
• N° 3 Dupuy de Lôme: With dimensions of 89 meters by 13.5 meters and a volume of 9,000 m³, it was powered by two Clément Bayard engines delivering 120 cv each. Its maiden flight took place on 1 May 1912.
• N° 4 Adjudant Vincenot: This airship measured 88.5 meters in length and 13.5 meters in width, with a gas volume of 9,800 m³. It featured two Clément Bayard 120 cv engines and reached a top speed of 49 km/h. Its first flight was in 1911.
• Modified Adjudant Vincenot: Slightly shorter at 87.3 meters but maintaining the same width and gas capacity, it used the same engine configuration while increasing its top speed to 53 km/h. It took to the skies on 13 August 1913.
• N° 5 (exported to Russia): This model was 86 meters long and 13.5 meters wide, with a volume of 9,600 m³, powered by two Clément Bayard engines rated at 130 cv each. Its initial flight occurred on 9 February 1913.
• Montgolfier: Measuring 73.5 meters in length and 12.2 meters across, it held a gas volume of 6,500 m³, driven by two Clément Bayard engines producing 90 cv each, capable of reaching speeds up to 60 km/h. It first flew on 31 July 1913.

Factories operated by Clément-Bayard

• Construction commenced in 1894 on a new facility named La Macérienne located at Faubourg Saint-Julien in Mézières. Managed remotely by Adolphe Clément, this plant was dedicated to producing cycle parts by 1897 within a sprawling area of 15,000 m² featuring hydraulic turbine power and specialized workshops. The original structure still exists today, having been converted into a cultural center in 2006.
• The Clément-Bayard Automobiles division was based at Boulevard de la Saussaye number 57 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Paris, where three-wheelers and automobiles were manufactured from 1899 until production ended in 1922.
• Following the acquisition of Gladiator cycles in 1896, Clément established a factory at Levallois-Perret that produced bicycles and automobiles under various marques including Clément-Panhard, Clément-Gladiator (from 1901), and Clément-Bayard (from 1903). This site later became notable for manufacturing Citroën vehicles such as the Citroën 2CV over nearly four decades (1948–1988). Beginning in August 1914, the factory shifted focus to wartime production.
• In 1908, Astra Clément-Bayard initiated airship manufacturing operations at a newly built plant in La Motte-Breuil.

Wartime operations

At the start of 1914, Adolphe Clément handed over management of Clément-Bayard to his son Maurice. The outbreak of World War I had a profound effect on the company: the La Macérienne factory at Mézières was occupied by German forces; its machinery was confiscated and transported to Germany while foundries were demolished. During this period, the building was repurposed as an indoor riding arena for German officers.

Automobile production at Levallois-Perret halted in August 1914 as the plant transitioned to military manufacturing activities—this included producing equipment, vehicles, aero engines, dirigibles, and aircraft.

Company closure

In the year 1922, the automobile segment of Clément-Bayard was sold to André Citroën, who also benefited from investments made by Adolphe Clément. Subsequently, the Levallois-Perret facility became the primary site for 2CV production over the following four decades.